New Sessions Added to the Career-Connected L/Earning Conference

July 9, 2026

Dive into Colorado’s Efforts to Build a More Connected Education-to-Career Ecosystem

We’re excited to announce additional sessions at the Career-Connected L/Earning Conference — each highlighting how Colorado is leading the way in building a more connected education-to-career ecosystem. 


From statewide data tools and quality frameworks to innovative funding models and proven student success strategies, these sessions showcase how leaders across education, workforce, government and industry are tackling some of the state's biggest challenges together. You'll get an inside look at the ideas, partnerships and practical approaches that are turning strategy into measurable outcomes — and leave with tools and ideas you can apply in your own work.


Building and Scaling the COSI ASAP Model Across Colorado 

Learn lessons from Colorado's effort to expand the ASAP student support model through coordinated interventions and innovative funding strategies.

 
Making the Big Three Work: Why Essential Skills Are the Missing Link in an AI-Driven Workplace 

Discover practical strategies for embedding and measuring durable skills as a core component of postsecondary and workforce readiness.


Data-Driven Workforce and Economic Development Policy 

Discover the role workforce data and cross-sector collaboration play in shaping Colorado's economic development strategies and policy decisions.

  • Featuring Derek Jones, Co-Chair, Workforce Intelligence & Data Experts, Barbara Larsen, Co-Chair, Workforce Intelligence & Data Experts, Patrick Holwell, Co-Chair Emeritus, Workforce Intelligence & Data Experts 


Unlocking the Potential of Data: A Deep Dive into COData 
Get a guided tour of Colorado Data Connection’s newest dashboard, which connects high school, postsecondary, and workforce data to better understand learner journeys and outcomes.


Making Demographic Data Work for You: Using the State Demography Office Website 
Learn how Colorado's State Demography Office data can help answer questions about population change, workforce participation, and regional growth.


The Apprenticeship Effect: Building Future-Ready Pathways 
Learn practical strategies for connecting CTE programs, Registered Apprenticeships and employer partnerships into stronger career pathways.


Funding What Works: How Colorado Is Building the Infrastructure to Measure Workforce Program Outcomes 
Explore how outcomes-based funding models are reshaping workforce investments and accountability in Colorado.


From Research to Reform: Using the DEEP Framework to Strengthen Concurrent Enrollment 
See how practitioners are using the Dual Enrollment Equity Pathways Framework to strengthen advising, pathway alignment and student outcomes. 


Make It Work! Launching Industry-Sponsored Projects and School-Based Enterprises Where Employer Partnerships Are Limited 
Hear how Colorado districts are using Industry-Sponsored Projects and School-Based Enterprises to create high-quality career-connected learning experiences in regions with limited employer access.


These newly announced sessions demonstrate what's possible when policy, practice, and partnerships align. Whether you're focused on improving student success, strengthening career pathways, making smarter use of data or aligning education with workforce needs, you'll discover practical strategies and real-world examples that can help your community move from vision to action. 


Stay tuned as we continue announcing additional sessions and speakers for the Career-Connected L/Earning Conference.  


And be sure to register before the price increases on August 1! 

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October Brings Opportunities for Leadership, Connection, and Learning

October 1, 2026
We are so excited about the month ahead! We have so many opportunities to connect with our brilliant partners here in Colorado and beyond to learn, explore, and design what’s next for preparing learners and earners for in-demand careers. And the biggest opportunity of all is our Career-Connected L/Earning Conference, Oct. 29-30 in Colorado Springs. We’ve been working on this conference all year, and we can’t wait to see you there! Here’s where you can find us this October: 🗓️ October 7 🔹 Boettcher State of Leadership: San Luis Valley Convening — Fort Garland Who will be the “Next Ten” leaders stepping up in the San Luis Valley? Ashley and Wes will join current and emerging community leaders for a conversation about strengthening the region’s leadership pipeline, building new connections and addressing the “Same Ten People” challenge identified through the Boettcher Foundation’s State of Leadership initiative. 🗓️ October 8 🔹 Postsecondary Talent Development System Transition Advisory Committee — Edwards Michelle Camacho Liu will reconvene with fellow committee members to continue developing recommendations that will guide Colorado’s new unified postsecondary talent development system. If you'd like to join sign up through the RSVP link . 🗓️ October 12-14 🔹 CFO Leadership Conference — Westminster Finance executives from across the country, including our own Michelle Payne, will explore emerging trends in leadership, AI and technology, economic conditions, and strategies for strengthening organizational performance. 🗓️ October 13 🔹 Superintendent Meeting — Monte Vista Ashley and Wes will connect with San Luis Valley superintendents to continue strengthening regional collaboration needed for pathways that lead to in-demand careers and economic mobility. 🗓️ October 14-16 🔹 Leading with Value, Building Trust: Lumina State Policy Retreat — Philadelphia Rana will join state teams from across the country for this invite-only convening focused on value-centered postsecondary attainment goals, better alignment between higher education and workforce needs, and how states define and measure credentials of value. 🗓️ October 20 🔹 Human Capital Summit — Arvada As AI and emerging technologies reshape the workplace, what human skills will matter most? Katherine will join employers, executives, HR professionals and community leaders for this Greater Arvada Chamber and Colorado Inclusive Economy event exploring how organizations are staying competitive by investing in people, culture, and innovation. 🔹 Making Pathways Data Useful: Pathways Impact Community Workshop — Virtual Michelle will join partners for a working session focused on making pathways data more useful and actionable. 🔹 CDE Technical Advisory Panel for PWR Accountability Metrics — Virtual Stefan will join his fellow TAP member to work on designing Colorado’s Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness accountability metrics. 🗓️ October 21 🔹 Postsecondary Talent Development System Transition Advisory Committee — Virtual The Transition Advisory Committee reconvenes. 🗓️ October 29-30 🔹 Career-Connected L/Earning Conference — Colorado Springs It’s the event we’ve been looking forward to all year! The entire Attainment Network team will join hundreds of leaders from education, workforce, industry, government, philanthropy and community organizations for two days of learning, connection and collaboration focused on building stronger education-to-career pathways. We hope you’ll join us!