Colorado Career and Technical Education

Vision of Colorado Career and Technical Education

Colorado CTE delivers proven pathways to lifelong career success!

Colorado Strategic CTE Visioning Process

Colorado CTE is developing a state strategic vision and plan for career and technical education that considers our unique landscape and opportunities over the next five years. The plan will help us ensure we are providing learners access to quality CTE programs that are aligned to industry demand and lead to high wage, high skill, in-demand employment. As part of that process, we will be hosting opportunities for public and stakeholder feedback around the state on a variety of topics. Feedback forms and surveys will also be available as we go through the process. If you have questions, feedback or would like to get involved, please e-mail cte@cccs.edu.

Mission of Colorado Career and Technical Education

CTE ensures a thriving Colorado economy by providing relevant and rigorous education that is connected, responsive and real.

Overall Goal / Outcome of CTE

To provide quality educational programs emphasizing core academic content, Postsecondary & Workforce Readiness (PWR) competencies, technical skills, and seamless transition to further education or employment and better prepare students, including special populations to meet challenges of the workforce, economic development, and emerging occupations.

Free Credential Coursework Sign Up

You will receive additional information through email with logon procedures once you complete the sign up. The registration will only be live during the timeframe in between session start dates.

Online Session Schedule:
October 15, 2018 – December 15, 2018 (Signups available September 1st)
*Fall class is full and currently in session
January 14, 2019 – March 15, 2019 (Signups available November 1st)
Spring 2019 Credentialing Course Sign Up
Face to Face Session:
CACTE July 14 – 18, 2019

CTE Program Types

Colorado CTE programs are divided into six industry sectors: (1) Agriculture, Natural Resources & Energy; (2) STEM, Arts, Design & Information Technology; (3) Skilled Trades & Technical Sciences; (4) Health Science, Criminal Justice & Public Safety; (5) Hospitality, Human Services & Education; (6) Business, Marketing & Public Administration.

More than 5,000 community and business leaders serve on advisory committees and councils supporting CTE programs.

Career and Technical Student Organizations

CTSOs help students build leadership skills, promote positive work values, and reinforce the CTE curriculum.

Nine CTE student organizations include: DECA, FBLA, FCCLA, FFA, HOSA, PBL, (SC)2, SkillsUSA, and TSA.

In 2017-2018, more than 32,000 students participated in CTE student organizations as state affiliated members.

CTE State Funding

Over the last 40 years, appropriations for the Career Technical Act (formerly the Colorado Vocational Act of 1970) have dropped proportionately to the dramatic increase of the actual cost of CTE programs. In 1971-72, the General Assembly provided just over 58 percent of the actual cost of CTE programs (Actual cost: $11.16 million, state funding: $6.5 million). In 2014-15, the General Assembly provided 25 percent of the actual cost of CTE programs. (Actual cost from FY15 reported expenses: $97million, state funding: $25million).

CTE Facts

Postsecondary – 34,031 individual students enrolled in CTE programs

High School – 103,802 individual students enrolled in CTE programs

Middle School – 24,455 individual students enrolled in CTE programs

To learn more about Colorado CTE, please check out our CTE Fact Sheet!
See links below to download a graphic version or accessible text only version.