In 2026, the Longevity Talent Report & Initiative (LTRI) surveyed over 13,000 Coloradans aged 50 and over, combined with listening sessions and focus groups. Coloradans of all backgrounds reported months of job searching, even though many were open to career or industry change.  State data reinforces the challenges, with adults 50+ representing nearly one-third of workforce-center participants in 2025.

We have the frameworks in place to address these issues. In this session, we will outline key findings and then share initiatives that would elevate the older worker as a resource and take steps to improve job seekers job search success.

Takeaways from this session:

• A clearer picture of what 50+ Coloradans want and where they encounter barriers.
• State data that puts their experiences in context.
• Study recommendations for state leaders, workforce centers, and employers

SPEAKERS:

Joe Barela, Executive Director, Colorado Department of Labor & Employment (CDLE)

Kelly Folks, Director of Division of Employment & Training, CDLE

Aaron Schonhoff, Owner & Lead Analyst, Schonhoff Evaluation & Analytics

Eden Gegru, Grant Specialist, CDLE

Kevan Fish, Data Analyst & Project Manager, CDLE

Kate McLagan Bond, Chair of the Colorado Commission on Aging Workforce Committee

Karen Brown, CEO, iAging, & Vice Chair Colorado Commission on Aging

DATE & TIME: October 20, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Mountain Time

The session will be recorded, so register even if you cannot attend to receive resources after the event.

The Colorado Department of Labor & Employment launched the Longevity Talent Report and Initiative (LTRI), with funding from Next50, to better understand the challenges older adults face in the job search, assess state workforce data about this population, and based on those findings, recommend ways to improve opportunities for employment for older adults.