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Colorado honors apprenticeship leaders at annual awards in Denver
ColoradoBiz Staff //April 23, 2026//
Courtesy of Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.
Courtesy of Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.
Colorado honors apprenticeship leaders at annual awards in Denver
ColoradoBiz Staff //April 23, 2026//
DENVER — Apprenticeship Colorado recognized 14 individuals and organizations advancing workforce training at its eighth annual Apprenticeship Awards on April 21 at the History Colorado Center.
In Brief:
- Apprenticeship Colorado recognized 14 individuals and organizations
- Event held at History Colorado Center with 130 attendees
- More than 100 new apprenticeship programs registered in 2025
- Awardees include apprentices, mentors, programs, employers, champions
The event drew more than 130 attendees from across the state’s workforce development and apprenticeship network.
“This year’s awardees showcase the innovation, dedication and hard work necessary to strengthen Colorado’s economy and create industry-driven talent development pipelines,” said Kelly Folks, director of the Division of Employment and Training at the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.
The awards were held during Colorado Apprenticeship Month and ahead of National Apprenticeship Week, scheduled for April 26 through May 2.
“Tonight we honor and celebrate the contributions of apprentices, mentors, programs, employers, champions and partners,” said Melissa English, interim director of Apprenticeship Colorado.
Apprenticeship Colorado, which includes the State Apprenticeship Agency and the Apprenticeship Colorado Expansion team, reported registering more than 100 new apprenticeship programs in 2025.
Award winners
Apprentices:
- Brian Marquez, Work Options and National Restaurant Association
- Byron Coca Montes, Denver Public Schools and CareerWise Colorado
- Dylan Palmer Merritt, Encore Electric and Independent Electrical Contractors Southern Chapter
- Melanie A. Kerrigan, Garfield Re16 School District, Colorado Mountain College and CareerWise Colorado Teacher Degree Apprenticeship Program
- Zachary Alire-Hyde, Western Colorado Area Health Education Center
Mentors:
- James MacChlerie, ActivateWork and Bank of America
- Mike Mason, Colorado Sheet Metal Local No. 9
Programs:
- Chef Ann Foundation
- Early Connections Learning Centers
Employers:
- Community Partnership for Child Development
- Intermountain Health St. Mary’s Regional Hospital
Champions:
- Jordan D. Renken, Energy Outreach Colorado
- Paul Lingo, Independent Electrical Contractors Rocky Mountain
Partner:
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