On June 3, 2022, the Governor signed SB 22-140 or Senate Bill on the Expansion of Experiential Learning Opportunities that tasked the Office of New Americans (ONA) to create a Global Talent Task Force (GTTF) that is reflective of the diverse representation in the state.
With a total of 24 members, the GTTF includes 12 members from the legislature, state agencies, and the Governor’s office. The other 12 members include: three internationally trained professionals, three representatives of Community Based Organizations (CBOs) or coalitions serving New Americans and internationally trained professionals, one representative of work-based learning or provider of experiential learning, one representative of an employer participating in a work-based learning program, two representatives of in-demand industries (e.g., education, healthcare), one representative of local district colleges, and one representative of the Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC).
The GTTF is tasked to do the following:
1. Study the pathways for obtaining certain in-demand occupational licenses and international credentials to take advantage of the global pool of skilled workers in Colorado.
2. Choose at least five occupations that are responsive to workforce needs, as determined by the annual Colorado Talent Report and that are occupations in which Colorado has the need for and an ability to provide oversight, including occupations in early childhood education and care, education, and health care, with a priority given to the practice of nursing.
3. Accelerate and expand the work that CDLE and other state agencies have done to integrate New Americans and internationally trained professionals into the workforce.
4. Provide policy and programmatic recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly to increase the ability of the state to harness the skills of New Americans, including through work-based learning opportunities.
On or before December 31, 2023, the GTTF will submit a report with their findings and recommendations to the Office of the Governor and to the General Assembly. Additionally, the report will be made available to the public.
The legislature mandated the GTTF be composed of 24 members. The 12 appointed members from the state senate, house of representatives, the Governor’s office, and state agency officials include:
- Senator James Coleman, Senate President Appointee
- Senator Lisa Cutter, Senate President Appointee (representing rural communities)
- Senator Larry Liston, Senate Minority Leader Appointee
- Representative Iman Jodeh, Speaker of the House Appointee
- Representative Barbara McLachlan, Speaker of the House Appointee (representing rural communities)
- Representative Richard Holtorf, House Minority Leader Appointee
- Misti Ruthven, Governor Appointee
- Katherine Keegan, Colorado Department of Labor and Employment Designee
- Nate Brown, Colorado Department of Regulatory Affairs Designee
- Beverly Jones, Colorado Department of Higher Education Designee
- Dr. Allyson Garcia, Colorado Department of Education Designee
- Dr. Lisa Roy, Colorado Department of Early Childhood Executive Director
Interested community members submitted applications, and following a panel review, 12 were selected to participate on the GTTF as a representative in the following category:
- Dr. Anisa Ben Idris, internationally trained professional
- Sarah Kitonsa, internationally trained professional
- Jessica Manrique, internationally trained professional
- Representative Lorena Garcia, community based organization
- Ola Kukoyi, community based organization
- Dr. Deborah Young, community based organization
- Allie Needham, provider of a work based learning program
- Tanya Rippeth, employer that is participating in a work based learning program
- Dana Bustamente, in-demand industry
- Dr. Janelle Johnson, in-demand industry
- Dr. Landon Pirius, local district college/university
- Angeles Ortega, Colorado Workforce Development Council
Previous Meetings:
December 18, 2023 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. (held virtually): GTTF monthly meeting
November 20, 2023 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. (held virtually): GTTF monthly meeting
October 16, 2023 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. (held virtually): GTTF monthly meeting
September 18, 2023 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. (held virtually): GTTF monthly meeting
August 21, 2023 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. (held virtually): GTTF monthly meeting
July 17, 2023 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. (held virtually): GTTF monthly meeting
June 20, 2023 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. (held virtually): GTTF monthly meeting
May 15, 2023 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. (held virtually): GTTF monthly meeting
April 17, 2023 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. (held virtually): GTTF monthly meeting
March 20, 2023 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. (held virtually): GTTF monthly meeting
February 24, 2023 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. (held virtually): GTTF monthly meeting
January 20, 2023 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. (held virtually): GTTF monthly meeting
December 19, 2022 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. (held virtually): GTTF monthly meeting
November 21, 2022 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. (held virtually): GTTF monthly meeting
October 17, 2022 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. (held virtually): GTTF monthly meeting
September 30, 2022 2:00 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. (held virtually): Co-chairs / Committee chairs
September 23, 2022 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. (held in person and virtual): GTTF monthly meeting
Previous Meetings:
January 20, 2023 12:45 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. (held virtually): STEM with IT Focus Committee
January 20, 2023 12:45 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. (held virtually): Early Childhood Education
January 20, 2023 12:45 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. (held virtually): Healthcare Committee
January 12, 2023 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. (held virtually): Healthcare Committee
December 19, 2022 1:45 p.m. - 2:50 p.m. (held virtually): Construction, Skilled Trades, Agriculture Committee
December 15, 2022 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. (held virtually): Education Committee
December 7, 2022 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. (held virtually): STEM with IT Focus Committee
November 21, 2022 1:45 p.m. - 2:50 p.m. (held virtually): Construction, Skilled Trades, Agriculture Committee
November 21, 2022 2:00 p.m. - 2:50 p.m. (held virtually): Education Committee
November 21, 2022 2:00 p.m. - 2:50 p.m. (held virtually): Healthcare Committee
November 21, 2022 1:45 p.m. - 2:50 p.m. (held virtually): Early Childhood Education Committee
November 21, 2022 1:45 p.m. - 2:50 p.m. (held virtually): Early Childhood Education Committee
November 10, 2022 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. (held virtually): Healthcare Committee
November 2, 2022 12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. (held virtually): STEM with IT Focus Committee
October 17, 2022 1:45 p.m. - 2:50 p.m. (held virtually): Education Committee
October 17, 2022 1:45 p.m. - 2:50 p.m. (held virtually): Early Childhood Education Committee
October 14, 2022 9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. (held virtually): Healthcare Committee
October 17, 2022 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. (held virtually): STEM with IT focus committee
Related Legislation: SB 22-140 or Senate Bill on the Expansion of Experiential Learning Opportunities