Commerce City Promise Program Earns Back-to-Back Regional and National Honors

Commerce City's workforce training initiative, the Commerce City Promise (C3 Promise), has been recognized with two major awards within the span of a week, cementing its status as a model for local economic and workforce development.

On August 20, the program received an Excellence Award from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), a national honor recognizing standout economic development programs from communities across the country. Six days later, on August 26, the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) named C3 Promise a winner of its 2026 Metro Vision Award, presented at the organization's annual awards gala in front of roughly 500 regional leaders.

Launched through a partnership between Commerce City and the Community College of Aurora, the C3 Promise removes financial barriers to career training by covering the cost of short-term credential programs for Commerce City residents. Funded through the city's ARPA-supported Advancing Commerce City Together initiative, the program connects residents to no-cost pathways in six high-demand sectors — construction, logistics, English language services, information technology, healthcare, and manufacturing — leading to living-wage jobs paying $51,000 or more annually. Residents accepted into an eligible program are automatically enrolled, with no separate application or fees required, and receive additional support through the city's Community Well-Being Division.

The dual recognition reflects the program's impact on both individual residents and the broader local workforce, pairing career advancement opportunities for residents with the skilled labor needs of area employers.

The IEDC Excellence Award and DRCOG Metro Vision Award add to a strong year for the city, which was also selected in May for the U.S. Green Building Council's 2026 LEED for Cities Cohort.

Residents interested in the Commerce City Promise can learn more or apply at ccaurora.edu/apply.