Urban Spectrum: Providing Pathways to help Denver Students Succeed
As high school seniors get ready to graduate, many are thinking about what comes next. The cost of going to college continues to rise with tuition in Denver ranging from about $5,000 to over $20,000 per semester for traditional four-year colleges. When you add fees, materials and the rising cost of living, it can become quite expensive. Fortunately, many nonprofits and foundations offer scholarships and support for students who still wish to pursue college. Around 50% of high school graduates in Colorado choose to pursue a college education.
There are also programs that provide apprenticeships or credentials, offering another pathway to good careers for Colorado's high school graduates. Governor Jared Polis has been supportive of these programs by signing executive orders in recent years to enhance apprenticeships, credentials and work-based learning opportunities. These programs focus on fields like construction, healthcare, graphic arts, culinary and administration, allowing students to complete their education in a much shorter time period and typically leading to immediate job opportunities. Training programs for these professions also have a smaller price tag, and financial help is often available through grants and foundations.
The African American Trade Association (AATA) is one group working to support students interested in apprenticeship or credential programs to work in a specific field. Founded in 2020, AATA bridges education, capital, and employment gaps in the African American community and industry by generating access to diverse, skilled talent through partnerships and innovative recruitment technologies. Their programs include entry-level certifications and Registered Apprenticeships in healthcare, renewable energy, and construction - programs that position students for immediate employment and long-term advancement in careers with economic mobility.
In addition, AATA supports students with wraparound services including stipends, case management, GED/math tutoring, and driver's license assistance. They also give young people a clear view of their future careers through tours, field trips, and hands-on experiences with working professionals in construction. AATA offers a five-week ' bootcamp' to prepare students for HVAC and Electrical Registered Apprenticeship Programs and a concurrent enrollment Certified Nursing Assistants program, allowing high school students to take college courses.
Leslie Broadus, who recently completed AATA’s pre-Registered Apprenticeship Program says,
“Being in that classroom changed my life. The knowledge I gained wasn't just technical; it was real, practical wisdom that prepared me for interviews and gave me the confidence to chase success. The teachers, coaches, and mentors pour themselves into your growth. Everything about that class the whole association- is built for your success. Drew Jackson, AATA Field Director, credits the support of community partners like Prosperity Denver Fund, which helps ensure that opportunities for, young people - especially people of color - are not limited by financial barriers.”
Using a small sales tax approved by Denver voters in 2018, Prosperity Denver works to build career and educational opportunities for Denver's young people by providing financial support to local nonprofits. Prosperity Denver is a unique model and one of its kind in the country. Many of their partner organizations, like the AATA, work with high school students and recent graduates from Denver's Black and Latino communities who continue to be underrepresented in higher education.
So far, Prosperity Denver has distributed $65 million to local nonprofits, benefiting nearly 64,000 students in the Denver area. During the fall 2025 funding cycle, Prosperity Denver awarded AATA more than S73,300 in funding for high school support services and credential programs. At a recent event, Jackson shared,
“The collaboration with Prosperity Denver is more than a partnership - it is a lifeline. A beacon of hope in a time when college is becoming impossible to afford, technology is reshaping entire industries, and young people are navigating more barriers than ever.”