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Digital Download
Digital Access Monthly Newsletter
February 2025
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The Digital Download is your place for monthly updates from the Colorado Digital Access team.
The Digital Access Team is led by the Office of the Future of Work in partnership with the Office of eHealth Innovation. The state’s digital access infrastructure work is supported by the Colorado Broadband Office, which oversees Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) and other broadband infrastructure funding.
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Why Digital Access Matters
What is Digital Access?
Digital access is the ability of individuals and communities to access and effectively use digital technologies and resources, such as computers and the Internet.
What We Know
Since 2022, the Office of the Future of Work’s Digital Access Team has worked to understand the digital access needs of communities across Colorado. Through statewide surveys, listening sessions, and stakeholder meetings, we've gathered insights from tens of thousands of Coloradans about their digital access challenges and needs.
We hope that you will continue to engage with us as we create a digital access ecosystem: a system of digital access coalitions with diverse participation that prioritizes projects and advocates for unique community needs. Local coalitions participating in this ecosystem will also play an integral role in maintaining a feedback loop between communities and state government.
Using both existing and new data, as well as the reported experiences of digital access practitioners, local governments, employers, and community members, there is significant evidence to show that improving digital access will improve the lives of Coloradans. One major consideration addressed in the Colorado Digital Access Plan is how both employers and job seekers are impacted by a lack of digital access.
Impact on Workforce
The National Skills Coalition Digital Divide Report from 2023 reviewed 43 million job posts and found:
- 92% of all jobs across all industries require some digital skills, including entry-level jobs.
- In Colorado, 91% of job postings were likely to require digital skills, and 47% of job postings definitely required digital skills.
- Nearly one-third of U.S. workers lack basic, foundational digital skills.
- Workers of color disproportionately fall into this category due to structural inequities.
- Skill-building pays off. If a worker previously employed in a job that required zero digital skills moved into a position that definitely needed a digital skill, their hourly wage would rise by 23% or by more than $8,000 per year.
The NSC Colorado Fact Sheet provides state-specific information, including Colorado’s most in-demand foundational digital skills, and examples of in-demand, industry-specific skills in the state.
Simply finding and applying for jobs requires access to a large-screen device, a reliable connection to the internet, and the ability to find and fill out online forms. During listening sessions held at Digital Access Team partner sites, Coloradans confirmed their struggles as job seekers:
- “People need help with job applications. Job application websites are difficult to navigate,” Boulder County listening session participant
- “Keyboarding is the basic skill that people in certain age groups might not have, or certain occupations because they've never had to do it,” Steamboat Springs listening session participant
- “Digital skills should involve helping our kids with LinkedIn, applications, personal statements, and things like that,” Denver listening session participant
- “It is difficult to learn basic computer skills which are a barrier for various tasks like job applications and work tasks for people from countries that don’t use much technology,” Aurora listening session participant
- “I know of a person who wanted to get a job in construction. Before they used to ask him to fill out a paper application, but now they ask him to fill out an application on their website. He knows how to do construction work, not use the computer. He could not apply,” Aurora listening session participant
Creating a digital access ecosystem in Colorado will ensure that job seekers, workforce professionals, and employers can participate in meaningful conversations about how to ensure access to the devices, skills, and connectivity their communities need to support a thriving workforce.
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 Image courtesy of Senior Planet.
Digital Navigator Nook
Increasing Digital Access in Partnership with Senior Planet
In addition to providing one-on-one digital support, digital navigators also offer small group skills development opportunities. One way we do this in the Digital Navigator Pilot Program is through our partnership with Senior Planet from Older Adults Technology Services (OATS), an AARP affiliate. Senior Planet programs are available to adults aged 50+.
Free Digital Learning Resources from Senior Planet
Senior Planet offers a range of free programs, including:
- Live virtual classes available at seniorplanet.org
- A tech help hotline at (888) 713-3495, is available:
- Monday – Friday: 7 AM – 6 PM MT
- Saturday: 7 AM – 12 PM MT
- In-person support at six centers nationwide, including one in Lowry, Colorado.
Senior Planet and the Digital Navigator Pilot Program
Since June 2024, Digital Navigators of Larimer County Libraries have hosted 17 Senior Planet programs, at Loveland Public Library, Mirasol Senior Community, and Berthoud Library.
The CDLE Office of the Future of Work has also delivered eight lectures and workshops, including:
- Two sessions at a Denver Housing Authority community
- Six sessions at libraries in La Plata and Montezuma counties
Becoming a Senior Planet Licensed Partner
Senior Planet's Licensing Program offers access to over 150 courses, lectures, and workshops with many of these also available in Spanish and Mandarin. Vietnamese versions of 33 programs will be available in March. Participation—including required training, materials, and books—is fully grant-funded and free for host organizations.
To become a licensed partner, attend an information session:
After attending, your organization can apply to be a licensed partner. Learn more at oats.org/licensing.
Additional Resources
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Digital Access Events
Digital Access Stakeholder Meeting
For anyone interested in finding out more about the state’s digital inclusion work, please join us virtually on Tuesday, March 25, at noon. Digital Access Stakeholder meetings usually take place every other month on the fourth Tuesday. Register on Zoom for the Digital Access Stakeholder Meeting.
Digital Navigator Community of Practice
Navigators, staff who support them, and other stakeholders are invited to attend the monthly Community of Practice (CoP) on the last Wednesday of each month.The next CoP will take place on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at 8:30 AM. Register on Zoom for the Community of Practice.
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Contact US
Digital Access Team
Colorado Dept of Labor & Employment
633 17th Street, Suite 201
Denver, CO 80202
digitalaccess@state.co.us
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