By: Colorado BioScience Institute Date: 07/31/2025
For Immediate Release
NEWS RELEASE
Strategic, employer-led initiative supported by ZOMA Foundation, SyncUp Colorado, and Colorado Succeeds
DENVER – Colorado BioScience Institute and Colorado BioScience Association announce a new initiative, the Life Sciences Employer Talent Collaborative, launched to strengthen Colorado’s talent pipeline and ensure a steady supply of skilled workers for the state’s growing life sciences ecosystem.
Supported by a grant from the ZOMA Foundation, with facilitation support from SyncUp Colorado, and developed in partnership with Colorado Succeeds, the initiative builds a shared strategy among leading life sciences employers to map talent needs, co-design solutions, and align training and education programs to high-demand roles.
This collaborative will use the nationally recognized Talent Pipeline Management® (TPM) framework to drive employer-led, data-informed workforce development across the state.
“Colorado’s life sciences community continues to attract new companies, top talent, and major investment,” said Elyse Blazevich, President & CEO of Colorado BioScience Association and President of Colorado BioScience Institute. “Through the Life Sciences Employer Talent Collaborative, we’re making a strategic investment in the next generation of scientists, engineers, technicians, and leaders. It’s essential to our drive to become a top-five life sciences hub and to delivering the breakthroughs patients need.”
The initiative launches at a pivotal time for Colorado’s life sciences industry. In 2024, companies raised $2.15 billion, marking the second time in four years funding surpassed $2 billion. Employment continues to grow, with nearly 41,000 professionals working in life sciences roles statewide. The average salary is $123,000, reflecting the high-skill, high-impact nature of the work.
The Life Sciences Employer Talent Collaborative is designed to:
- Identify priority roles and shared pain points through employer-driven job mapping.
- Build actionable training and education partnerships to address those needs.
- Support equitable access to high-paying jobs through targeted pathways and credential alignment.
“We’re cultivating and diversifying Colorado’s life sciences workforce from classroom, to campus, to career, and making sure they have the background and skills Colorado companies need,” said Meg John, Vice President of Colorado BioScience Institute. “This initiative builds on our long-standing work with students, educators, and employers. We’re connecting people to careers that make a difference, starting in the classroom, building momentum on campus, and supporting growth at every stage of a professional journey.”
The Colorado BioScience Institute leads workforce development across the life sciences ecosystem, investing in programs with the broadest reach and real-world relevance. Classroom programs nurture an early love of science with K–12 STEM education and teacher training that links curriculum to future careers. On campus, students engage in mentorship, hands-on learning, and career exploration. At the career stage, the Institute supports professionals with executive education and training aligned to workforce needs, including a new QA/RA certificate program.
The effort also reinforces momentum from Colorado Hub for Health Impact, the national economic development campaign launched in 2024 by Colorado BioScience Association and supported by more than 30 partners since inception. As Colorado draws more companies, talent, and investment, the collaborative helps ensure a strong, skilled, and diverse workforce is ready to meet demand.
Colorado BioScience Association and Colorado BioScience Institute thank the ZOMA Foundation for the generous grant, creating more opportunities for Coloradans to access mission-driven, high-paying jobs in the state’s life sciences community.
About Colorado BioScience Institute
Colorado BioScience Institute cultivates and diversifies Colorado’s life sciences workforce, from classroom, to campus, to career. The Institute team nurtures an early love of science with STEM education, engages students and teachers through hands-on experiences, and empowers employees with professional development. The Institute’s leadership in widening the life sciences talent pool supports the state’s economic growth, builds a skilled, diverse workforce to advance health innovation, and elevates people with purpose-driven, high-paying jobs. Learn more: cobioinstitute.org
About Colorado BioScience Association
Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA) creates co-opportunity for the Colorado life sciences community. CBSA champions a collaborative life sciences ecosystem and advocates for a supportive business climate. From concept to commercialization, member companies and organizations drive global health innovations, products and services that improve and save lives. The association leads Capital and Growth, Education and Networking, Policy and Advocacy, and Workforce Cultivation to make its members stronger, together. Learn more: cobioscience.com