Support Workforce Development through WIOA

Help prioritize workforce development efforts that empower businesses and communities. You can help shape policies that strengthen workforce pipelines, improve training opportunities, and create a sustainable talent pool for the future.

As a business leader, your perspective is vital. WIOA provides essential funding and services that help connect employers with skilled workers, support training programs, and address labor shortages. However, to ensure these programs truly meet the needs of businesses, we must advocate for reforms that make the system more flexible, responsive, and impactful.

Show your support today and sign a Business Support Letter for WIOA.

New & Emerging Industries Apprenticeship Tax Credit!

The New & Emerging Industries Apprenticeship Tax Credit is a refundable tax credit that employers of Registered Apprenticeship Programs in Colorado can claim for apprentices in "New & Emerging" occupations. Learn MORE.

Jobs For the Future (JFF) announces the launch of the National Apprentice Fund

JFF will manage the National Apprentice Fund, a $2 million initiative that provides financial support directly to apprentices. 

Please join the information session if you’re a current apprentice, employer, community-based organization, a Registered Apprenticeship provider, or program partner. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear more about how this innovative new fund can support current apprentices working to build in-demand skills in growing sectors of the economy, such as health care, technology, and education, that pay competitive wages and offer opportunities for upward career mobility. 

Join the Information Session on National Apprenticeship Day

Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 2:00 p.m. ET

Register HERE!

Colorado’s Sales & Use Tax System Streamlines Filing

Are you looking to shave hours or even days off your sales and use tax returns? The Colorado Department of Revenue has overhauled its free Sales and Use Tax System (SUTS) to streamline the process statewide.

• Determine sales tax jurisdictions and rates for thousands of addresses at a time
• Enter data directly into the portal’s simple, online forms or upload as a spreadsheet
• File and pay for all taxing entities associated with a valid Colorado address

Register for free.

The Colorado Department of Revenue wants to simplify the state’s tax landscape so businesses can spend more time thinking about how to grow. Visit the website to learn more.

American Business Immigration Coalition

The American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC) promotes common-sense immigration reform that advances economic competitiveness, provides companies with the talent they need, and allows immigrants to integrate into the economy as consumers, workers, entrepreneurs, and citizens.

Find resources and support for employers HERE.

Boots to Business Reboot

Offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration and brought to you locally by Arapahoe County

Are you a veteran or military spouse interested in starting or growing your own business? Boots to Business Reboot is an entrepreneurship training program, extending access to all eras of veterans. Join us on Friday, April 18, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to start your journey. See class details and schedule at sba.my.site.com.

State Demography Office Webinar Series

The State Demography Office provides population estimates and forecasts for Colorado’s regions, counties, and municipalities, which were developed by the State Demography Office and the U.S. Census Bureau. Access data visualizations, data spreadsheets, data lookup applications, data spreadsheets, data links, and technical documentation by topic or geography

Census Business Tools: Census Business Builder and On the Map

The next SDO webinar will be presented from noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 9. This webinar will demonstrate the use of two Census Bureau business data tools, Census Business Builder and On the Map, to help inform business location decisions and to understand worker commuting patterns. The webinar is free to attend. Registration is required.

The Colorado SBDC Technology Program (SBDC TechSource) is a multi-faceted program maximizing the economic potential of Colorado companies through specialized assistance for science and technology ventures as well as cybersecurity and risk management education for all businesses. The program is broken down into two distinct subprograms – Commercialization and Cyber CYA. Learn more here.

Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

Aurora-South Metro Small Business Development Center hosts several online and in-person trainings to support individuals seeking to start their business. View their on-demand workshops.

Small Business Navigator

The Small Business Navigator is the first point of contact for new and existing business owners with questions about federal, state, and local licensing requirements. The navigator also provides referrals to various state and federal assistance programs and local small business training. Please call the Small Business Navigator at 720-665-7439 with your start-up questions.

"BIG" – Business Improvement Grant

The Town of Parker is offering dollar-for-dollar grants to businesses in Parker for interior or exterior (or equipment) purchases. Eligible businesses could receive a $5,000 grant for a single business, or $15,000 for a multi-tenant unit. It's like getting a $5,000 coupon!

Applications are currently being accepted until funds are exhausted, with a quick turnaround to determine eligibility. Visit the program's website for details HERE.

The comparative retirement risk is slightly lower than that across all industries. Note the significantly lower numbers in the 14-18, 19-1, and 22-24 age bands. This suggests that fewer young people are entering the sector compared to other industries.

What can Arapahoe/Douglas Works! do to help your business succeed?

• Arapahoe/ Douglas Works! Workforce Center offers The Business Boost Program to teach small/micro-businesses how to thrive in a digital world.
• Arapahoe/ Douglas Works! Workforce Center offers a Work-Based Learning Program that can save employers up to $6,000 per hire. 
• Arapahoe/ Douglas Works! Workforce Center hosts business events, job fairs, and hiring events to help your business thrive. Complete a request form or call 303.636.1359 to talk to an expert.

Discover Business Services

Join us to discover the no-cost services available to your business. This event is held virtually from 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m., April 16, 2025! Want to learn more? Contact Stephanie at sgarno@arapahoegov.com.

Career Fairs for Young Adults

Does your business offer career exploration opportunities, internships, or employment to young adults aged 16-24? We are currently seeking employers for upcoming spring career fairs. Reserve your spot(s) today!

• Thursday, May 8th at Smoky Hill High School, 11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Monday, June 2nd, CentrePoint Plaza, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. - Young Adult Summer Bootcamp Job Fair, ages 14-18 only.

Please register to participate at https://forms.office.com/g/urQEFju6k7 and receive a calendar invitation with details.

Please email questions to Kelsey at kklaus@arapahoegov.com.

Investing in Arapahoe: National Women’s Soccer League

Arapahoe County commissioners on March 27 helped celebrate an agreement to build a temporary stadium and training facility in Centennial for the new National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) team. The project includes training fields, shared-use fields, and a 15,000-seat temporary stadium.

The Cherry Creek School District will also benefit from the arrangement, which brings two natural grass soccer fields and one artificial turf field to the 43-acre property. The league will be the primary tenant on those fields, but the school district can use them occasionally. The school district will also have access to four additional fields for soccer, flag football, and lacrosse. Read more.

Douglas County Outdoors

Douglas County offers a perfect mix of quality of life and business opportunities. The County is approximately 843 square miles, of which 63,037 acres are permanently protected land through the Douglas County Open Space Program. Recreational areas include more than 146,000 acres of Pike National Forest, Roxborough State Park, Castlewood Canyon State Park, and the Chatfield State Recreation Area. The DC Outdoors interactive site is a one-stop-shop for Douglas County residents looking to explore local recreation opportunities, parks, and open spaces.

April is Second Chance Month

Roughly 1 in 3 Americans have an arrest or conviction record that limits their ability to work, obtain housing, and engage in civic life. Having a record, even an arrest record, is a significant barrier to economic mobility. Over 15 million people are eligible for full or partial record sealing in the 12 states, including Colorado, that have enacted legislation meeting Clean Slate criteria.

Second Chance Month is a nationally recognized celebration of second chances, fresh starts, and breaking barriers for those impacted by the legal system. Employers may meet their business needs and claim up to a $9600 tax credit if they hire an individual in this WOTC targeted group. Find out more about how your business can help reduce recidivism at Clean Slate Initiative.

Colorado Incentives For Hiring Job Seekers in the Workforce System

Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) is a federal tax credit that encourages employers to hire targeted groups of job seekers. WOTC can reduce employer federal tax liability by as much as $2,400 to $9,600 per new hire.

Federal Bonding is a fidelity bond provided to the employer free of charge and serves as an incentive for the company to hire a job applicant who is an ex-offender or has an at-risk background in obtaining employment. It is a business insurance policy that protects the employer against financial loss due to theft, forgery, larceny, or embezzlement caused by employee dishonesty.

Enterprise Zone Investment Tax Credit encourages enterprise zone businesses to invest in business personal property. Businesses can earn a state income tax credit of 3% of the value of the qualified investment. The tax credit that can be claimed in any tax year is limited. The tax credit may be carried forward for up to 14 years.

K-12 Teacher Externships for STEM Occupations

For Colorado-based STEM-focused business and K-12 public school teachers.

The program connects K-12 teachers with STEM-based employers, offering hands-on, immersive, work-based learning opportunities. These experiences enable teachers to understand industry practices better, empowering them to deliver more relevant content to students and better prepare them for the workforce.

Arapahoe/Douglas Works! will provide a $3,000 stipend for eligible teachers who successfully complete the CSBR teacher externship program. To be eligible, teachers must successfully complete the externship and be employed in a school district in Arapahoe or Douglas County.

In addition to the stipend, teachers will be provided a certificate of completion documenting the number of externship hours, which can be used as professional development credit toward teacher license renewal through the Colorado Department of Education. 

Information Session: A virtual information session will be held from 4:00-5:00 pm on Thursday, April 17, 2025. During this event, participants will receive an overview of the externship, and will also have an opportunity to ask questions. Register here for this event. 

Apply by April 25, 2025: Application Here; selection decisions will be made by May 2, 2025. 

To enroll or learn more, please visit the Teacher Externship Program web page or email Kelly Reeser, Teacher Externship Grant Coordinator at kelly.reeser@state.co.us or call

720-576-3480.

Youth Employment Law Workshop

In partnership with Broomfield Workforce Center and Colorado Department of Labor and Employment

Do you hire employees under the age of 18? Are you aware of how many hours per week a youth employee is allowed to work? Do you have questions about the new laws that became effective in 2025?

Please join the virtual workshop to review current and updated employment laws for youth on May 6, 2025, 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. Register to attend HERE.

No-Cost Layoff Services For Businesses

Don't pay for third-party services. In Colorado, the Rapid Response Employment Team offers discreet, no-cost services to help businesses and workers navigate layoffs and plant closures, including career counseling, training, and job search assistance through Workforce Centers.

Explore layoff aversion strategies that may help retain top talent, cut costs, and ensure stability during economic challenges. Learn more or contact the Rapid Response Team at

(303) 318-8267, or by email at RRTeam@state.co.us.

Volunteers Needed for Future Business Leaders of America Conference

FBLA, or Future Business Leaders of America, is a national organization that allows students in business and computer classes an opportunity to build on their academic knowledge through community service, leadership opportunities, and competitions. Next April, Colorado FBLA will host our annual high school State Leadership Conference from April 21-23 at the Gaylord Rockies Resort, where over 3,500 students from across the state will come together to show off what they have accomplished during the school year. Read more HERE.

Incentives & Financing For Littleton Businesses

The City of Littleton supports businesses looking to reinvest in themselves and the community. It is committed to providing a strong foundation for the business community through local grants, funding, and tax credits. Read Full Article.

Aurora Business Licensee Bulletin

The button below links to a copy of the City of Aurora Business Licensee informational bulletin. The bulletin focuses on business regulatory topics related to Licensing, Tax, and Code Enforcement.

If you have suggestions for topics that would benefit all businesses or follow-up questions,

please email businesslic@auroragov.org.

Go to this link and subscribe to receive the bulletin https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/llmetJk. 

Scaling Smart: Leadership Strategies for Business Growth

Join Scott Blanchard for a practical, fast-moving session designed for HR leaders, L&D professionals, and senior executives who are navigating the realities of growth and change. Wednesday, April 23, 2:00 pm GMT. Register Now!

Arapahoe/Douglas Works! is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Arapahoe/Douglas Works! programs are federally funded with $18,730,452.65 (~78 percent) through the U.S. Department of Labor. Additionally, ~22 percent ($5,326,786.07) is financed by non-federal sources.