February 24, 2025
Colorado Springs, CO – A groundbreaking initiative is launching in the Pikes Peak region, designed to transform the future of workforce development. Innovate Pikes Peak is a powerful collaboration between the Colorado Springs Chamber & Economic Development Corporation and Peak Education, bringing together industry, education, and the community to create direct career pathways for students and families.
At the heart of Innovate Pikes Peak is a profound mission: to be student-centered and industry led. The mission of Innovate Pikes Peak goes on to share it is committed to creating a cohesive ecosystem of career pathways that gives students and learners (regardless of their location in El Paso County) an easily navigable experience that provides exposure, skills, authentic learning, college credits and credentials, and aligns with career opportunities connected to our region’s prioritized careers. Access to these opportunities provides financial stability, allows for savings, and enables individuals and families to thrive economically which ultimately empowers them and El Paso County to thrive.
“The Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC is proud to partner with Peak Education to launch Innovate Pikes Peak, a program designed to build seamless career pathways from education to future employment in sectors that are in high demand locally,” said Johnna Reeder Kleymeyer, President & CEO of the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC. “By aligning student experiences with the needs of our region’s industries, we are investing in local talent and ensuring that all learners across the Pikes Peak Region have the skills, exposure, and opportunities to thrive. This initiative strengthens our workforce, empowers individuals, and contributes to a more prosperous future for our community.”
To make this vision a reality, Innovate Pikes Peak is leveraging three key forces: industry leaders, educational systems, and the community. The Chamber & EDC is bringing top industry knowledge and business partnerships to the table, while Peak Education provides deep expertise in the local education system. Meanwhile, the students, families, and educational systems themselves will play a pivotal role in shaping the program to ensure it meets the needs of the region.
“We have many wonderful efforts going on in our community, but as a business, we desperately need a streamlined effort that enables businesses to support our education system in a scalable way,” said Lindsay Pack Moll, CEO of InnovaFlex Foundry and Chair of the Education and Workforce Readiness Task Force under the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC’s Titans for Economic Development Council. “Although we would love to support every school in the community, with 17 districts all doing different things, it is not possible for us to meaningfully engage with all of them individually. Additionally, as Innovaflex Foundry grows, we need talent with the right training and certifications to meet those needs, and our entire community would benefit if our high school students were hire-ready upon graduation.”
The initiative draws inspiration from successful models such as the MiLL National Training Center in El Paso County—which equips students with hands-on training in cabinet manufacturing, construction, and welding—and the Cherry Creek Innovation Campus in Centennial, CO, which offers career pathways in aerospace, criminal justice, IT, and more. By adapting best practices to the unique needs of El Paso County, Innovate Pikes Peak is poised to be a game-changer for employers and the broader community within the Pikes Peak region.
The struggle is real—and felt across all industries. Employers across the Pikes Peak Region are facing an unprecedented challenge: a widening skills gap that leaves critical jobs unfilled while students struggle to find meaningful career opportunities. According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data from November 2024, the Colorado Springs MSA has only 67 available workers for every 100 open jobs. This shortage is particularly acute in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, healthcare, and information technology, where the demand for skilled professionals continues to outpace supply. This gap underscores the need for enhanced educational pathways to equip students with the necessary skills to meet future workforce demands.
“Innovate Pikes Peak is a transformative initiative that would fundamentally reshape how we prepare students for the future by making high school education more dynamic, relevant, and aligned with the evolving needs of our economy,” said Carlos Jiménez, CEO of Peak Education. “By connecting students with meaningful pathways to high-demand careers, we are ensuring they gain the skills, experience, and credentials to succeed, while also strengthening our local economy with a workforce that is prepared for the jobs of tomorrow.”
Jiménez knows firsthand the power of career-focused mentorship.
“I was fortunate to have mentors at key moments in my life. Beyond college access, those mentors also helped me explore career possibilities I hadn’t considered before. Innovate Pikes Peak is about ensuring that every student gets that same opportunity—not just to dream, but to have a direct path toward a successful career.”
The Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce & EDC and Peak Education are actively in the planning stage of Innovate Pikes Peak. This initiative is designed to strengthen existing technical career pathways in the community, supporting school districts in developing partnerships with industry leaders to address workforce challenges while better supporting the community’s infrastructure. To gain a deeper understanding of the community's needs, Innovate Pikes Peak convened over 60 leaders from business, industry, philanthropy, K-12, and higher education to develop the guiding principles for regional career pathways, demonstrating the community’s collective commitment to addressing workforce needs in a unified way.
To spearhead this ambitious effort, Innovate Pikes Peak proudly welcomes Jessica Warren as the inaugural Project Director. With a career dedicated to economic mobility and social impact, Warren has led large-scale initiatives that connect schools, businesses, nonprofits, and government entities to drive workforce solutions. She established Colorado’s first women’s work release program and managed Colorado Correctional Industries, a $35 million enterprise focused on reentry and employment success.
“I am dedicated to making the table bigger, not smaller in building trust and fostering collaboration between solution focused partners who can share their expertise and perspectives to create better outcomes for talent in our region.” Warren said.
Recognizing that a regional solution to career pathways is complex due to the fragmented nature of the region and the lack of financial incentives for schools to collaborate, Warren is determined to navigate these challenges and develop a model that works.
As Innovate Pikes Peak continues to gain momentum, the call to action is clear: this is a movement for everyone. Businesses, educators, families, and community members are invited to engage, invest, and help shape the future of workforce development in the Pikes Peak region.
Together, we are building a stronger, more adaptable community—one where every student has the opportunity to succeed, and where industries can rely on a talented, well-prepared workforce.
Stay tuned for updates on how to get involved. The future of the Pikes Peak region starts now.
For media inquiries, please contact: Tabitha Hart | tabitha@peakedu.org | (719) 460-2365
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