Otero College to Offer Zero-Cost Health Care Training Spring 2023

Beginning in Spring 2023, students who enroll in eligible healthcare certificate programs will have their tuition, fees, and course materials covered as Care Forward Colorado (CO) funding allows. Qualifying certificate programs at Otero include Certified Nursing Assistant (dependent upon spring schedule offerings), Emergency Medicine, and Phlebotomy.

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, Colorado faced deep shortages in entry-level health care positions. The state’s Care Forward Colorado program is revitalizing Colorado’s healthcare workforce through zero-cost, short-term training programs at 19 community and technical colleges. This funding is made possible by Senate Bill 22-226, which dedicates $26 million in state recovery dollars to train healthcare workers across Colorado. The bill was signed by Governor Polis in May 2022 and sponsored by Senators Sonya Jacquez Lewis and Bob Rankin and Representative Kyle Mullica.

Once students have earned their certificate in one of the three qualifying programs, they will be equipped to start a job in the healthcare industry, continue their training at Otero to add to their skillset, or both! Students need to apply as normal to Otero and enroll in one of the eligible programs. After the add/drop date, financial aid will apply Care Forward CO funding to the student accounts to cover tuition, fees, books, and supplies.

To enroll, contact Student Services at 719-384-6800. To learn more about Care Forward Colorado visit https://cccs.edu/care-forward-colorado.