Press Release: Colorado Office of Just Transition Teams up with Startup Colorado to Offer Support for Entrepreneurs in Coal Transition Communities

Monday, February 23, 2026

Submitted by user:fieldfirstname — The Colorado Office of Just Transition (OJT) within the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) announced a new partnership with Startup Colorado to launch the Business Startup and Expansion Assistance Program designed to empower entrepreneurs, support coal industry workers and strengthen the economic fabric of Colorado’s coal transition communities.

“Many coal industry workers told us that they are interested in starting a business," said Office of Just Transition Director Wade Buchanan. "We want to honor that entrepreneurial spirit and provide the resources we can to help them succeed. Our focus is on supporting workers as they take their next step.”
The program will support coal transition workers by providing resources, mentorship and structured assistance to help launch or scale successful businesses. While priority will be given to coal transition workers, the program will also be open to residents of designated coal communities interested in starting or growing a business, space permitting.

"Colorado has a rich history of entrepreneurship driven by necessity and passion, often as a result of transitioning industries,” said Brittany Romano, Executive Director at Startup Colorado. “Our goal is to support coal transition workers who are driven to build a new future for themselves and their communities through entrepreneurship."
The partnership leverages Startup Colorado’s proven two-stage entrepreneurial framework:

• The Idea Factory – A collaborative, hands-on, cohort-based program designed to help participants validate their business concepts and build a strong foundation for launch. These hybrid cohorts will run over a four-week period and are anticipated to begin in mid-April.

• The Growth Challenge – A six-week follow-on program designed for businesses ready to scale operations, increase revenue and expand market impact.
  The program will be offered to workers and residents in Tier One Coal Transition Communities, including:

• Morgan County

• Pueblo County

• The West End of Montrose County (including the Town of Norwood)

• The Yampa Valley (Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt counties)
  In addition to training and mentorship, some eligible coal transition workers who successfully complete the program will have the opportunity to access up to $11,250 in funding for startup or expansion through OJT’s enhanced worker resources. This additional funding will help qualified participants take the next step in launching or growing a viable business by covering some startup or expansion costs. This funding is limited to coal workers who have been laid off or are at risk of being laid and subject to other eligibility requirements, program completion and applicable state guidelines.

Interested applicants can learn more about the upcoming mid-April cohort and eligibility requirements at:

• Colorado Office of Just Transition: cdle.colorado.gov/the-office-of-just-transition
• Startup Colorado: startupcolorado.org About the Colorado Office of Just Transition

Colorado created the Office of Just Transition within Colorado’s Department of Labor and Employment in 2019 to assist workers and communities that will be adversely affected by the loss of jobs and revenues due to the closure of coal mines and coal-fired power plants. Its purpose is to help workers transition to new, high-quality jobs to help communities continue to thrive by expanding and attracting diverse businesses, and to replace lost revenues. To learn more about the Office of Just Transition, its action plan and the corresponding legislation, please visit cdle.colorado.gov/offices/the-office-of-just-transition.

About Startup Colorado

Startup Colorado is a 501c3 nonprofit that supports rural entrepreneurs in 53 rural counties across Colorado. We believe that anyone should have the ability to start and scale a business in the place they call home. We help entrepreneurs access the human, social, and financial capital they need to build thriving businesses. To learn more, please visit startupcolorado.org

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