As used in this part 6 and part 7 of this article 46.3, unless the context otherwise requires:

1. (1) American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 or ARPA means the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Pub.L. 117-2, as the act may be subsequently amended.
2. (2) Department means the department of labor and employment.
3. (3) Incumbent worker means a worker who is currently employed and expects to remain employed by the same employer during and after participation in a training program or training opportunity.
4. (4) [Editor's note: This version of subsection (4) is effective until July 1, 2026.] Industry-recognized credential means a credential through a program or offering qualified under the career development success program pursuant to section 22-54-138.
5. (4) [Editor's note: This version of subsection (4) is effective July 1, 2026.] Industry-recognized credential means an industry certification, which has the same meaning set forth in section 23-5-145.8, and a nondegree credential, which has the same meaning set forth in section 23-5-145.8, that satisfy the requirements developed pursuant to section 23-5-145.6 (2) and are identified in the most recent annual Colorado talent pipeline report prepared pursuant to section 24-46.3-103 (3).
6. (5) Next-skilling means activities to develop future-ready skills necessary for employment in the twenty-first century and includes the focus areas of human skills, digital skills, business skills, growth mind-set, and a lifelong learning mind-set.
7. (6) Program means the investments in reskilling, upskilling, and next-skilling workers program created in section 24-46.3-603.

8. (7)

   1. (a) Reskilling means activities to:

      1. (I) Support unemployed and underemployed individuals who need or want to change industries in order to return to full-time work or who need or want to obtain more appropriate work based on their skills; and
      2. (II) Help unemployed and underemployed individuals achieve economic self-sufficiency.
   2. (b) Reskilling may include technical training for new positions and new careers and entrepreneurial training for individuals who wish to pursue self-employment and business ownership.
9. (8) Short-term training means a training program that is not more than thirteen months in duration.
10. (9) State council means the state work force development council created pursuant to section 24-46.3-101.
11. (10) Substantial unemployment means an unemployment rate that is higher than four percent for the state, as a whole, or for a work force development area.
12. (11) Upskilling means activities to increase the skill levels of an incumbent worker so the worker is able to retain employment and advance within a company.
13. (12) Work force development area has the same meaning as set forth in section 8-83-203 (22).

Source: L. 2021: Entire part added, (HB 21-1264), ch. 308, p. 1860, § 3, effective June 23. L. 2022: (3) amended, (SB 22-140), ch. 357, p. 2566, § 19, effective July 1. L. 2025: (4) amended, (SB 25-315), ch. 237, p. 1199, § 21, effective July 1, 2026.

Cross references: For the legislative declaration in SB 22-140, see section 1 of chapter 357, Session Laws of Colorado 2022.