Key Takeaways

1. Colorado leads the nation in registered apprenticeship growth. Between 2019 and 2025, the state added over 18,000 new registered apprentices — a 142% increase — outpacing every other Western state except Texas and Arizona.
2. April is officially recognized as both National and Colorado Apprenticeship Month, designated through a combination of federal proclamation and state-level legislative acknowledgment (SB 21-088, 2021).
3. The wage premium is real and compounding. Colorado apprentices earn an average starting wage of $22.50/hr and graduate at an average of $38.75/hr — a 72% gain — while accumulating zero student debt in most programs.
4. Healthcare and construction remain dominant sectors, but IT, advanced manufacturing, and renewable energy are the fastest-growing apprenticeship pathways in the state.
5. Employer participation has accelerated after the 2022 federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Colorado received $8.2 million in dedicated apprenticeship expansion grants between 2023–2025, directly funding 3,400+ new apprenticeship slots.
6. Diversity gaps persist. Women represent only 19% of Colorado apprentices, and underrepresented minority participation stands at 31% — areas flagged by the Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC) as critical priorities for 2026.

History and Context: How Colorado Apprenticeship Month Emerged

Federal Roots

National Apprenticeship Week was established in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush and later expanded to a full month through executive actions in the 2010s. The U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) and the Office of Personnel Management formally recognized April as Apprenticeship Month, encouraging states, employers, and educational institutions to promote registered apprenticeship as a viable career pathway.

Colorado's Legislative Moment

Colorado elevated its commitment significantly in 2021 when the General Assembly passed Senate Bill 21-088, "Supporting Earn-and-Learn Pathways." While the bill did not create a standalone state apprenticeship month, it directed the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) to expand outreach during the federally recognized April period and allocate targeted funding for underserved populations entering apprenticeship programs.

The state's momentum built on a longer trajectory:

• 2011: Colorado launches its first state-level apprenticeship task force.
• 2016: The "Colorado Skills Challenge" pairs employers with community colleges to co-design apprenticeship curricula.
• 2019: Total registered apprentices cross the 30,000 mark for the first time in state history.
• 2022: Post-pandemic labor shortages catalyze employer demand; apprenticeship enrollments surge 23% year-over-year.
• 2024: Governor's office issues annual proclamation recognizing April as Colorado Apprenticeship Month, coinciding with National Apprenticeship Month.
• 2025–2026: Record enrollment driven by infrastructure spending, clean-energy transition, and healthcare workforce needs.

Data Comparison: Colorado vs. Peer States

The table below contextualizes Colorado's apprenticeship ecosystem against five peer states — all of which share similar economic profiles, population sizes, or geographic regions. Data reflects the most recent complete reporting year (2025).

Source notes: Apprenticeship data compiled from USDOL OACE State Apprenticeship and Labor-Managed Data System (SALMS) reports, CDLE quarterly publications, and state workforce board filings. Wage figures are medians, not means, and reflect all registered apprenticeship sectors combined.

Sector Breakdown: Where Colorado's Apprentices Work

Top 6 Industries by Apprentice Enrollment (2025)