Sponsor Snapshot: January 2026 Edition

Colorado Department of Labor and Employment sent this bulletin at 01/15/2026 10:00 AM MST

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The Sponsor Snapshot

Registered Apprenticeship Sponsor Quarterly Newsletter

January 2026 Edition

Happy New Year from Apprenticeship Colorado!

Apprenticeship Colorado is the State Apprenticeship Agency in the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment that has the responsibility for:

Registering and overseeing apprenticeship programs
Providing technical assistance to current and prospective Sponsors
Aligning the registered apprenticeship system with Colorado’s workforce, education, and economic development priorities

This edition of the Sponsor Snapshot features:

Requirements & Guidance
Ways to Engage
Technical Assistance & Training
Funding Opportunities
Talent and Recruitment Resources

Requirements & Guidance

INFO #10: Related Instruction in Registered Apprenticeship Programs

During the month of December, the SAA published the following guidance for Sponsors and employer partners of Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs):

Interpretive Notice & Formal Opinions “INFO” #10: Related Instruction in Registered Apprenticeship Programs

Published guidance, like our Interpretive Notice & Formal Opinions (INFOs) and Executive Memos, is available on our Apprenticeship Legislation & Policy webpage. Sponsors are responsible for reviewing all SAA guidance and complying with the requirements.

Updated 2026 Minimum Wage in Colorado

Does your Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) need to update Wage Schedules for this year to meet the 2026 minimum wage for Colorado and the Front Range areas? Learn how to make changes to your program by reading our Executive Memo.

New Minimum Wages as of January 1, 2026:

Minimum Wage in:	2026	2026 w/ tip credit	2025	2025 w/ tip credit	2024	2024 w/ tip credit
Colorado (if no local minimum applies)	$15.16	$12.14	$14.81	$11.79	$14.42	$11.40
Denver City/County	$19.29	$16.27	$18.81	$15.79	$18.29	$15.27
City of Edgewater	$18.17	$15.15	$16.52	$13.50	$15.02	$12.00
Boulder County (only unincorporated areas)	$16.82	$13.80	$16.57	$13.55	$15.69	$12.67
City of Boulder	$16.82	$13.80	$15.57	$12.55	–	–

Learn About Apprenticeship Legislation & Policy

Glass awards and certificates on a table.

Ways to Engage

Spread the Apprenticeship Effect: Apprenticeship Month is in April!

Now is the time to start preparing for Apprenticeship Month in April and National Apprenticeship Week from April 26th to May 2nd! Here are a few ways that your organization can get involved:

Participate in our Apprenticeship Career Expo in the Denver Metro Area in April (date and location TBD). Contact debbie.shackelford@state.co.us to let us know your organization would like to participate.
Submit an Apprenticeship Awards Nomination for an apprentice, employer partner, program, mentor/journeyworker, partner, or champion. Nominations open in February.
Submit a proclamation declaring Apprenticeship Month/Week to the US Department of Labor. Use one of USDOL’s proclamation templates.
Host your own event honoring current apprentices, an open house to hire apprentices, and more to “Spread the Apprenticeship Effect”.

Learn More About Apprenticeship Month

Technical Assistance & Training

Check It Out: RAP Ready: Your Complete Guide to Registered Apprenticeships

Navigate the world of Registered Apprenticeship Programs with confidence. This comprehensive 12-part video series breaks down everything you need to know about apprenticeships in Colorado – from understanding core components and roles to completing documentation and finding talent. Watch the RAP Ready Video Series.

Technical Assistance Events

Apprenticeship Colorado offers a variety of training opportunities for Sponsors to help programs successfully implement their Registered Apprenticeship Program.

RAPIDS 101 for Sponsors

RAPIDS 101 is a monthly training session for Sponsors dedicated to the basics of the Registered Apprenticeship Partners Information Database System (RAPIDS). The training includes a walkthrough of RAPIDS and highlights important requirements that Sponsors need to know related to RAPIDS transactions. RAPIDS 101 is held on the first Tuesday of each month at 1:00 pm. Register for an upcoming RAPIDS 101

Apprenticeship Training & Resources

Funding Opportunities

The American Manufacturing Apprenticeship Incentive Fund

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has launched the American Manufacturing Apprenticeship Incentive Fund, a $35.8 million initiative aimed at expanding high-quality Registered Apprenticeship programs in advanced manufacturing across the country. This cooperative agreement with DOL is spearheaded by the Arkansas Department of Commerce, Division of Workforce Services, and is designed to stimulate nationwide Registered apprenticeship adoption by providing incentive funding for manufacturers of all sizes to build and expand apprenticeship pipelines. The portal to apply for incentive funding is scheduled to open on January 28, 2026. Visit DOL’s website for more information about the Incentive Fund.

Prosperity Denver Fund

You might be eligible for funding. Are you serving Denver learners (Denver residents or Denver high school grads) through apprenticeships or offering credentials? If so, you could be eligible for reimbursement of up to 75% of your training program costs through the Prosperity Denver Fund (PDF). PDF is a 501(c)3 nonprofit funded by Denver sales tax that offers financial reimbursement to qualifying nonprofits that support Denver students completing postsecondary options. Find out more about the funding and eligibility.

New & Emerging Industries Apprenticeship Tax Credit

Did you know that there is a new tax credit for employers of Registered Apprenticeship Programs with occupations in the new and emerging industries? Eligible employers can receive up to $12,600 per apprentice. The New & Emerging Industries Apprenticeship Tax Credit was created by HB24-1439 Financial Incentives Expand Apprenticeship Programs to encourage the adoption and expansion of Registered Apprenticeship Programs in the New & Emerging Industries.

View Apprenticeship Funding Opportunities

Talent and Recruitment Resources

Recruitment Resources

Apprenticeship Colorado lists resources to recruit apprentices on our website. Some of these resources include:

Qualified Apprenticeship Intermediaries - Qualified Talent Intermediaries offer targeted services for career seekers and apprentices and are a great recruitment partner for RAPs
Equal Employment Opportunity Partners - Equal Employment Opportunity Partners can assist in connecting candidates in underrepresented populations to your Registered Apprenticeship Program.
K12 Contact Directory - Connect with K-12 apprenticeship contacts across school districts in Colorado by accessing the Colorado Apprenticeship K12 Contact Directory on the bottom of the page.
Update the Colorado Apprenticeship Directory - Make sure your listing on the Colorado Registered Apprenticeship Program Directory includes information on how to apply to your program. Update your Directory Listing.

Resources to Support Your Program and Apprentices

Add Your Program to the Eligible Training Provider List - The Eligible Training Provider List is used by the workforce system to distribute workforce funding. Registered Apprenticeship Programs are able to be added to the list on an opt-in basis. Opting into the ETPL increases access to potential funding for apprentices. Fill out this form to have your RAP added to the ETPL.
Veteran Benefits - Learn more about being added to the GI Bill ® to unlock benefits for apprentices who are veterans by contacting Michael Roberts at the Colorado State Approving Agency for Veterans Education and Training.