Pueblo Community College was featured on March 3 in the Colorado Springs Gazette, where reporter Eric Young examined how community colleges in Colorado are helping address workforce shortages. The article discussed enrollment trends, new programs, and the growing demand for skilled workers across the state.
The coverage is significant as it highlights the increasing role of community colleges in meeting labor market needs and providing affordable education options. According to a January report from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, community colleges nationwide are recovering faster than universities from pandemic-related enrollment declines. Enrollment at these institutions has risen by 28% over four years and grew about 2% in 2025, roughly double the rate seen at universities.
In Colorado, total enrollment across the state’s 13 community college campuses increased by more than 5,500 students to approximately 94,300, based on fall student counts from the Colorado Community College System. Jennifer Sherman, Pueblo Community College vice president of academic support, said workforce demand is a major factor: “They call it the ‘silver tsunami,’ meaning the retirements of especially the Baby Boomers, and that there’s not enough people behind them… That pendulum is kind of swinging back, but there just weren’t people coming up through that skilled trade kind of pipeline.”
PCC President Chato Hazelbaker noted an increase in concurrent enrollment—high school students taking classes at PCC—with more than 230 additional students this year for a total of 6,900. Of these students, over 3,000 are under age 18. The college has expanded its offerings with programs such as automotive technician training for electric and hybrid vehicles and a renovated dental hygiene facility.
James Cordova, chair of PCC’s automotive technology program, described how their hybrid and electric vehicle safety coursework prepares students for high-voltage work environments: “These batteries that we’re working on today are an excess of 360 volts. Very dangerous… It changes the way that you teach and you train because of the safety aspect of it.” Cordova said technicians for both EV batteries and charging stations are among high-demand job opportunities for graduates.
The specialized coursework offered by PCC is reportedly among the first of its kind in Colorado and one of few nationwide. Cordova said: “The workforce was speaking loud and clear that they need the additional support because these vehicles are here… They’re not going anywhere, so I think we listened to that call.”
