Denver City Wire

New law passes to build construction talent pipeline, boost economic opportunity for historically underserved communities

Required employment standards now apply for all public infrastructure contracts over $10M

Denver City Council approved an ordinance on May 1 launching the Denver Construction Careers Program (DCCP) formally establishing that Denver Economic Development & Opportunity (DEDO) can require a portion of the labor utilized on city-funded construction projects over $10 million to include residents from specific hire populations including those from target neighborhoods, veterans, and graduates of pre-apprentice programs. Target hire goals will be applied to both vertical and horizontal construction projects beginning in the summer of 2023.   

DCCP will support apprenticeship readiness training programs to create a pipeline of skilled workers. The goal is to provide career pathways for residents to earn a livable wage. With this ordinance in place, the city is tackling two pressing economic challenges: shortages in qualified construction workers and a lack of economic opportunity for residents in historically underserved communities. 

“Denver is making historic, generational investments in community-supported infrastructure. These investments will do more than build projects--they will build futures and opportunities for our residents who need them most,” Mayor Michael B. Hancock said. “The Denver Construction Careers Program leverages those investments to drive economic opportunities for our residents, creates good-paying jobs and careers, and expands the construction talent pipeline. This is how we level the playing field and create an economy that works for everyone.”  

“This approval from City Council is a significant step forward for Denver’s built environment and for hard-working families,” said Jen Morris, DEDO Executive Director. “We are eager to build upon DCCP’s dual goals - strengthening and expanding the pipeline of skilled construction talent available to build Denver’s future, and ensuring equitable and inclusive opportunities for livable wages.”   

The concept was launched by DEDO as a three-year pilot on select projects beginning in 2019. The learnings and findings of the pilot as well as extensive community and industry engagement were used in the formation of this ordinance.  City Council’s two at-large members, Robin Kniech and Debbie Ortega, have been strong and involved proponents of this approach from the onset and now as the requirements become law.  

"This is local government operating at its best level—taking bold steps to create opportunity for residents who need jobs the most to share in the benefits of our economy, through apprenticeships that allow workers to earn while they learn on a path to a middle-income career, to help ensure they can afford to raise a family and remain in our city,” Kniech said. 

“I have been seeking legislative solutions to broaden access to opportunity for our residents for years and helping develop the mandatory requirements of the DCCP ordinance marks an exciting milestone for underserved households throughout the city,” Ortega said. 

About Denver Economic Development & Opportunity

Denver Economic Development & Opportunity is creating an economy that works for everyone. Learn more at denvergov.org/economic development.

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