Press Release: CDLE and Elevate Quantum Partner to Expand Access to Quantum Careers in Colorado

Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Submitted by user:fieldfirstname — The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) announced today a partnership with Elevate Quantum, the federally designated Tech Hub for the Mountain West, to expand access to quantum-related careers and strengthen hiring support for quantum-industry employers across Colorado.

Through this partnership, CDLE and Elevate Quantum will leverage Connecting Colorado, the state’s workforce case management and labor exchange system, to support skills-based job matching, increase awareness of educational opportunities and emerging career pathways and connect businesses with talent statewide.

“Colorado is the national hub for innovation in the fast-growing quantum industry. Connecting Coloradan’s with the skills needed to fill in-demand jobs that contribute to our growing quantum industry is important to keep pushing the boundaries in our state and maintain our status as a top tier quantum hub” said Governor Polis.

“Colorado is preparing its workforce for the future by connecting businesses in emerging industries, like quantum, with skilled talent statewide through Connecting Colorado,” said Kelly Folks, Employment & Training Division Director at CDLE. “This partnership will help Coloradans explore new opportunities and help employers access the workforce resources they need to grow.”
Elevate Quantum serves as the federally designated Tech Hub for the Mountain West, advancing Colorado’s leadership in quantum innovation and helping build the workforce needed for the rapidly evolving sector.

“Colorado’s leadership in quantum is built on collaboration,” said Lucinda Sanders, Elevate Quantum Workforce Implementation Lead. “By partnering with CDLE and leveraging Connecting Colorado, we can expand access to quantum careers and help employers connect with talent across the state and the Mountain West more broadly."
Supporting Job Seekers and Employers

Quantum careers are expanding across Colorado and include pathways for individuals with a range of education and training backgrounds. Through Connecting Colorado, job seekers will have access to tools and services that support career exploration, skills development, and connections to high-demand jobs statewide.
For quantum-industry employers, Connecting Colorado will support hiring efforts by expanding access to a broader statewide talent pool and connecting businesses with job seekers aligned to their workforce needs. Employers can also access workforce resources and recruitment support through the statewide workforce system, while using the platform to help define and communicate the skills needed for in-demand positions.

Strengthening Workforce Alignment and Data-Driven Strategy

This partnership aligns with Colorado’s broader efforts to strengthen workforce service delivery and support data-driven decision making. Connecting Colorado’s continued modernization and investments in workforce data quality initiatives support stronger reporting, performance management and continuous improvement across Colorado’s workforce system.

To learn more about Connecting Colorado and available workforce resources, visit ConnectingColorado.gov. To learn more about Elevate Quantum, visit elevatequantum.org.

About The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment

The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment’s (CDLE) vision is to create a working economy that elevates all of Colorado. In pursuit of this vision, the 1,900-person state agency’s eight divisions and four offices help the state’s employers and workers prosper: employers benefit from CDLE’s work to improve Colorado’s talent pipeline, its recruitment assistance, its economic updates and more. The agency helps workers with and without disabilities pursue their career goals through job training, job search assistance and career counseling. CDLE works to help workers, employers and communities thrive by ensuring fair labor practices, providing unemployment and paid family and medical leave insurance, and protecting Colorado communities through consumer protection and safety programs. To learn more, visit cdle.colorado.gov and follow CDLE on LinkedIN.

About Elevate Quantum

Elevate Quantum (EQ) is the federally designated quantum Tech Hub under the U.S. Department of Commerce, representing the nation’s largest quantum industry cluster across Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming. EQ’s mission is to dramatically accelerate the commercialization of quantum technologies. Through its work, Elevate Quantum is helping accelerate the diffusion and commercialization of quantum tech, advancing U.S. economic and strategic security, and building a robust quantum workforce for the future. To learn more, visit elevatequantum.org.

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