Workforce development is essential to building a vibrant and resilient economy. The La Plata Economic Development Alliance works alongside employers, educators, and community partners to strengthen the regional workforce through training, career pathways, and employer-driven solutions that help businesses grow and workers succeed.
La Plata County’s Workforce Development Ecosystem
Workforce development in La Plata County operates as a connected continuum that requires a place-based approach. This coordinated effort includes direct service providers, education and talent pipeline builders, business and economic development organizations, workforce support systems, and key funding partners.
Direct Service Providers
Durango Workforce Center
Free employment services for job seekers and employers, including career counseling, job search support, and hiring assistance.
Project RUN
Short-term, employer-driven training programs that build skills through industry-aligned micro-credentials.
Healthcare Workforce Pipeline (HWP)
Connects individuals to healthcare career pathways by linking them with local employers, training opportunities, and tools to take the next step.
Manna Soup Kitchen
Provides a culinary training program that builds hands-on skills and creates pathways into food service and hospitality careers.
Colorado State University Extension Office
Offers workforce-aligned trainings including ServSafe certification, along with education in gardening and agriculture to support local skill-building.
Business & Economic Development
La Plata Economic Development Alliance
Supports business recruitment, retention, and expansion while connecting employers to workforce, housing, and training solutions.
Local First
Local, independent business alliance.
Durango Chamber of Commerce
Provides business resources, leadership programming, and professional development opportunities.
Region 9 Economic Development District
Leads regional economic planning and secures funding to support job creation and long-term economic resilience.
SCAPE (Southwest Colorado Accelerator Program for Entrepreneurs)
Supports entrepreneurs and growing businesses through mentorship, training, and startup acceleration.
La Plata Food Business Equity Coalition
Supports food entrepreneurs through resources, training, and connections while building a more inclusive network for minority-owned businesses and rural producers.
Education & Talent Pipeline Builders
Fort Lewis College
Four-year degree programs and workforce-aligned training with strong regional partnerships.
Pueblo Community College Southwest
Career and technical education, certifications, and associate degrees focused on healthcare, trades, and applied skills.
Durango Adult Education Center
GED, ESL, and foundational skills programs supporting adults entering or re-entering the workforce.
Southwest Colorado Education Collaborative
Aligns K–12, higher education, and workforce systems to strengthen career pathways and regional talent pipelines.
Workforce Support Systems
Workforce Rental Assistance Program
Available through First Southwest Bank, the rental assistance program provides rental and deposit assistance to support workforce stability.
Early Childhood Council of La Plata County
Expands access to childcare and supports providers, enabling more parents to participate in the workforce.
Women’s Resource Center
Provides assistance for women in everything from goal setting to professional development.
MovetoDurango.com
Connects job seekers and relocating talent to employment opportunities and community resources.
Regional & State Governance / Funding
Colorado Rural Workforce Consortium
Oversees workforce strategy across rural counties and administers Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding to support job training, career services, and employment programs.
Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT)
Administers statewide funding and incentive programs including Rural Jump-Start, the Job Growth Incentive Tax Credit (JGITC), and Opportunity Now grants, supporting business expansion, workforce training, and job creation.
Southwest Colorado Accelerator Program for Entrepreneurs (SCAPE)
Our local “Shark Tank”, a business accelerator program.
Work Based Learning Continuum
The Work-based Learning Continuum illustrates how individuals move from early career awareness through skill-building and into employment. The organizations in our local workforce ecosystem each play a role along this continuum, supporting different stages of an individual’s career development and contribute to a more coordinated workforce system, overall.
