Colorado § 24-46.3-602 - Definitions.

§ 24-46.3-602. Definitions.

As used in this part 6 and part 7 of this article 46.3, unless the context otherwise requires:

(1) "American Rescue Plan Act of 2021" or "ARPA" means the federal "American Rescue Plan Act of 2021", Pub.L. 117-2, as the act may be subsequently amended.

(2) "Department" means the department of labor and employment.

(3) "Incumbent worker" means a worker who is currently employed and expects to remain employed by the same employer during and after participation in a training program or training opportunity.

(4) "Industry-recognized credential" means an "industry certification", which has the same meaning set forth in section 23-5-145.8, and a "nondegree credential", which has the same meaning set forth in section 23-5-145.8, that satisfy the requirements developed pursuant to section 23-5-145.6 (2) and are identified in the most recent annual Colorado talent pipeline report prepared pursuant to section 24-46.3-103 (3).

(5) "Next-skilling" means activities to develop future-ready skills necessary for employment in the twenty-first century and includes the focus areas of human skills, digital skills, business skills, growth mind-set, and a lifelong learning mind-set.

(6) "Program" means the investments in reskilling, upskilling, and next-skilling workers program created in section 24-46.3-603.

(7) (a) "Reskilling" means activities to:

(I) Support unemployed and underemployed individuals who need or want to change industries in order to return to full-time work or who need or want to obtain more appropriate work based on their skills; and

(II) Help unemployed and underemployed individuals achieve economic self-sufficiency.

(b) "Reskilling" may include technical training for new positions and new careers and entrepreneurial training for individuals who wish to pursue self-employment and business ownership.

(8) "Short-term training" means a training program that is not more than thirteen months in duration.

(9) "State council" means the state work force development council created pursuant to section 24-46.3-101.

(10) "Substantial unemployment" means an unemployment rate that is higher than four percent for the state, as a whole, or for a work force development area.

(11) "Upskilling" means activities to increase the skill levels of an incumbent worker so the worker is able to retain employment and advance within a company.

(12) "Work force development area" has the same meaning as set forth in section 8-83-203 (22).

Source: L. 2021: Entire part added, (HB 21-1264), ch. 308, p. 1860, § 3, effective June 23. L. 2022: (3) amended, (SB 22-140), ch. 357, p. 2566, § 19, effective July 1. L. 2025: (4) amended, (SB 25-315), ch. 237, p. 1199, § 21, effective July 1, 2026.

Cross references: For the legislative declaration in SB 22-140, see section 1 of chapter 357, Session Laws of Colorado 2022.