emPWR 2026
emBODY: Workforce & Economic Mobility
emPWR 2026
emBODY: Workforce & Economic Mobility
Presented by the ACE CTE for All and Counseling and Career Development Divisions of CACTE
Join professionals from across Colorado for the annual emPWR Conference! This premier event brings together dedicated specialists from ACE CTE for All, Counseling and Career Development, Work-Based Learning, the Division of Youth Services, Justice-Involved Personnel, and the Department of Corrections.
Our collective focus is clear: broadening our lens to serve students and engineering sustainable pathways toward Postsecondary Workforce Readiness (PWR) success.
Location:
Morgridge Commons Event Center
815 Cooper Ave
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Main Conference:
Thursday–Friday, November 12–13, 2026 (1.5-Day Schedule)
Preconference Site Visits & Sessions: Wednesday, November 11, 2026
Costs:
CACTE Members
Early Bird Registration (by 9/15) $249
Regular Registration $349
Non CACTE Members
US Military Veteran $349
Non-CACTE member $449
All registrations not paid by 11/1/2026 will incur a $50 late registration fee.
To help keep costs low, registration will be using Google Form. Please use the registration form to register. Early bird registration closes September 15, so get registered now!
Interested in having your voice heard at emPWR 2026? Call for Speakers is now open. Let us know your topic and availability through our call for presenters form.
Wednesday, November 11: Pre-Conference Offerings
Enhance your skills, build your network, and earn specialized credentials through our in-person pre-session workshops and regional site tours. (Note: Sessions run concurrently; please register for only one).
Pre-Conference Registration: FREE for active CACTE Members! (Must be a member as of August 1, 2026)
$50 for Non-Members
Option 1: Work-Based Learning (WBL) Certification
Target Audience: CTE Educators, Coordinators, and Specialists
Overview: A high-impact instructional track designed to complete your requirements for the official Colorado CTE Work-Based Learning Credential. Walk away with state-aligned frameworks, safety and liability tools, and actionable models to launch and expand business-partnered learning opportunities in your district.
Option 2: CTE in Colorado Course
Target Audience: School Counselors, Career Advisors, and Educators seeking licensure requirements
Overview: Tailored specifically for counselors seeking the CTE Specialist Endorsement or educators fulfilling state licensure requirements. This comprehensive overview covers Colorado CTE delivery models, career cluster pathways, postsecondary workforce alignment, and advising strategies to guide students toward high-wage, high-demand careers.
Option 3: The ACE Classroom Collective
Target Audience: High School & Middle School ACE CTE Teachers
Overview: A dedicated working session built exclusively by ACE teachers, for ACE teachers. This hands-on session pairs educators for targeted peer mentoring, facilitates district-to-district networking, and provides protected classroom planning time to develop turnkey instructional materials, curriculum blueprints, and student engagement strategies for the school year.
Option 4: Regional Worksite & Industry Tours
Target Audience: All Conference Attendees, Administrators, and Career Navigators
Overview: Step directly into active industry settings and innovative local educational programs to see regional workforce partnerships in action. Gain first-hand insight into local employer needs, facility designs, and collaborative pipelines that drive economic mobility for students. (Transportation provided; advance sign-up required).
Wednesday, Nov. 11th
Meals included: lunch for pre-conference participants
11am - 4 pm | Pre Conference Sessions
CTE in Colorado
WBL in Colorado
The ACE Classroom Collective
Regional Worksite & Industry Tours
Thursday, Nov 12th
Meals included: lunch for all attendees
9:00 - 10:00 am | Conference Check In
10:00 - 10:30 | Welcome and Intro Activity
10:30 - 11:30 | Keynote
11:30 - 1:30 | Lunch w/Division (ACE/CCD) Division Elections
1:45 - 2:35 | Breakout 1
2:45 - 3:35 | Breakout 2
3:35 - 4:05 | Break and Exhibitor Time
4:05 - 4:55 | Breakout 3
5:30 - 7:30 | Social Hour - Hotel Colorado
Friday, Nov. 13th
Meals included: breakfast, Grab & Go lunch
8:00 AM – 8:30 AM | Hot Breakfast & Networking
8:30 AM – 9:30 AM | CDE "State of the State" General Session
9:45 AM – 10:35 AM | Breakout Session 1
10:45 AM – 11:35 AM | Breakout Session 2
11:45 AM – 12:15 PM | Closing Capstone, Raffles & Wrap-Up
12:15 PM | Grab-&-Go Lunch
Hotel information coming soon!
Engage in hands-on sessions and expert-led breakouts built around actionable strategies to take straight back to your school or program. Collaborate with a vibrant professional community to recharge your passion and expand your toolkit.
Key Focus Areas:
Career-Connected Learning & Work-Based Learning (WBL)+
Social Emotional Learning (SEL), Health & Wellness
Graduation Guidelines, Capstones & Essential Skill Building
Program Advocacy & PWR Resources
Plus: Immersive networking events and a dynamic keynote presentations. Adams State continuing education credit will be available.
🗓️ Mark your calendars—we will see you in Glenwood Springs this November!
We make it easy to demonstrate the Return on Investment (ROI) for attending emPWR 2026. This conference is designed not just for professional growth, but to deliver direct, tangible value back to your school and district.
Key Admin Takeaways:
State Credentialing & Endorsements: Attendees can complete requirements for the official Colorado CTE Work-Based Learning (WBL) Credential or progress toward the CTE Specialist Endorsement.
Turnkey Classroom Resources: During dedicated, hands-on working sessions like The ACE Classroom Collective, teachers build ready-to-implement curriculum blueprints, lesson plans, and industry-aligned engagement tools—saving countless prep hours during the school year.
Regional & Industry Alignment: Gain direct insights into local workforce trends, CDE updates, and postsecondary pathways to help your CTE programs meet state performance metrics and high-demand career standards.
Cross-Agency Best Practices: Connect with educators and leaders across ACE, DOC, DYS, and Counseling sectors to adopt proven, scalable student-retention and career-readiness strategies.
Conference registration fees are directly reinvested into Colorado education, supporting:
Educator Resources: Professional development and leadership support for the ACE CTE for All and Counseling and Career Division Boards.
Program Delivery: Ongoing ACE CTE for All and Counseling & Career Development instruction and program materials.
Student Leadership: Coordination, facilitation, and resources for the (SC)² (Successful Career Students of Colorado) Student Leadership Conference.
Note: CACTE MEMBERS may apply for the Professional Development Grant to cover costs for conferences. If your school is not able to cover any/all costs, APPLY!
Refunds will be granted, minus any processing fees, for all cancellations received prior to the October 31, 2026. Fifty percent (50%) of the registration fee will be refunded for cancellations after the October 31, 2026. No refunds will be issued after November 4, 2026.