Michael of CoVenture updated Garfield County commissioners Aug. 19 on seven years of local entrepreneurship programming and a recent pivot toward workforce development called Career Bridge, focusing on 18- to 24-year-olds and partnerships with EPIC and local school districts.

CoVenture reported more than 2,400 participants in programs and events since inception, 62 partnerships and 40 participants in its Accelerator program (32 still active). The organization said 32 accelerator graduates support about 138 employees collectively, based on April data.

CoVenture said it piloted AI and computer-science summer academies for employees and entrepreneurs; a recent AI workshop drew 27 employees. The Career Bridge initiative reaches out to recent graduates via school databases and phone contact, offering summer academies and upskilling opportunities tied to local-industry use cases.

Michael said he will focus staff energy on expanding Career Bridge while his partner maintains coworking and business-support operations. The organization requested continued county support amid county budget constraints and praised county steps to protect employees while considering grant reductions.