About the
Skilled Workers
& Trades Fund
Without raising taxes, proposed Initiative 317 creates a fund to provide 5,000 Coloradans every year with tuition-free or low-cost training in the professions our communities rely on most.
Debt-free credentials for the essential workers keeping Colorado running.
Through need-based scholarships of up to $3,000, Proposed Initiative 317 connects Coloradans to short-term, job-aligned training in the fields our communities need most. Workers get the credentials they need free from crushing debt, and taxpayers foot none of the bill.
First Responders
Equipping the heroes who keep us safe, like firefighters, paramedics, and EMTs.
Healthcare
Caring for the people who care for us by training nurses and critical healthcare workers.
Skilled Trades
Supporting the backbone of our economy by training electricians, plumbers, welders, machinists, and advanced manufacturing professionals.
Education
Securing our children's future by supporting teachers and early childhood educators.
Practical Solutions for Families & the Economy
Colorado's economy faces a growing mismatch.
Nearly 75% of jobs require training beyond high school, but high costs keep many Coloradans from getting the credentials they need.
This initiative bridges that gap in three critical ways.
Removing Financial Barriers
Debt-free paths to high-demand careers, helping families achieve financial stability without taking on new debt.
Supporting Local Business
A stronger pipeline of skilled talent helps local employers fill chronic vacancies and grow.
Protecting Taxpayers
These goals are achieved without raising taxes or creating new government debt.
What Would Voters Be Deciding On?
Initiative 317 would create a permanent, dedicated source of funding for debt-free workforce training in the jobs our communities need most.
Funding the Future of Work
5,000 Coloradans each year get to work faster with scholarships of up to $3,000 for job skills training, helping families achieve financial stability without taking on new debt.
Permanent, Self-Sustaining Investment Without Raising Taxes
By fully separating Pinnacol Assurance from the state and ending its government subsidies, the initiative generates a one-time $150 million payment and approximately $10 million in recurring annual revenue.
Accountability & Results
Public dollars follow results, not just enrollment. Funding is only reimbursed once learners complete their training.
Built to Invest Only in What Works
When training works, it gets funded. When it doesn't, no money is spent.