SLV PWR with the SLV BOCES exists to strengthen education-to-career pathways across the San Luis Valley by equipping educators with the tools, resources, and connections they need to support every learner. Rooted in collaboration and guided by the unique strengths of our rural communities, SLV PWR is designed to make pathway work more accessible, coherent, and impactful across the region.
This site is designed to help the San Luis Valley build the regional capacity needed to meet the demands of the Big Three—post-secondary credit, industry-recognized credentials, and high-quality work-based learning—for students, including the graduating class of 2029. By bringing together resources, pathways, partnerships, and shared tools in one place, the site supports schools, educators, and community partners in expanding access to concurrent enrollment, credentials of value, and meaningful work-based learning experiences. The goal is to strengthen coordination across the region so every student has equitable opportunities to graduate with the experiences and credentials that matter most for post-secondary success and workforce readiness.
This site serves as a shared space where educators can access curricula and instructional resources, connect students to internships and work-based learning opportunities, and engage in professional learning that builds capacity and confidence. Through a centralized calendar, practical tools, and stories from across the Valley, SLV PWR elevates what’s working and helps align efforts toward a common vision.
Our mission is to empower educators, honor local context, and expand opportunities so that all SLV students can see themselves in their futures—and have clear, supported pathways to reach them. SLV PWR will continue to grow alongside our partnerships, reflecting our commitment to equity, relevance, and collective impact in the San Luis Valley.
The Big Three emerged from Colorado’s statewide commitment to ensuring students graduate with meaningful preparation for life after high school. Through the Colorado Department of Education’s 2025–2028 Strategic Plan, the state established a goal that 100 percent of students in the Class of 2029 complete at least one of the following: a high-quality work-based learning experience, postsecondary (college) credit, or an industry-recognized credential. Together, these three outcomes represent the most direct ways students can demonstrate postsecondary and workforce readiness, aligning education systems with workforce needs and providing students with tangible, transferable experiences that support long-term success.
San Luis Valley BOCES is a collaborative educational service organization that supports school districts and students across the San Luis Valley by providing shared services, innovative programming, and regional coordination to expand opportunity and strengthen local education. SLV BOCES partners with schools, community organizations, employers, and higher education to enhance career-connected learning, workforce readiness, and student success across the region. As the lead coordinator for this SLV Postsecondary & Workforce Readiness (PWR) work, SLV BOCES works to connect learners to career pathways, internships, industry credentials, and other supports that prepare students for meaningful postsecondary and workforce opportunities. Katrina Ruggles is leading this work as the Director of Regional Collaboration & Innovation.
UPCOMING EVENTS