EV Workforce Symposium
EV Workforce Symposium
Vehicle Technicians | Charger Installation and Maintenance | First Responders
Drive Clean Colorado is convening the EV Workforce Symposium on June 12, 2026 at CDOT HQ in Denver.
Colorado leads in EV adoption – a distinction carrying heavy responsibility. Symposium attendees – state agency leaders, workforce educators, industry partners, and student – gathered to make sure the workforce is ready with appropriate, accessible, and leading-edge training programs.
Sponsored by Xcel Energy in partnership with the Colorado Department of Transportation and Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
The event is free but space is limited and you must be registered to attend. Register here.
EV WORKFORCE SYMPOSIUM AGENDA
10:00 AM
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Setting the stage for a day of action.
Colorado leads in EV adoption – a distinction carrying heavy responsibility. Symposium attendees – state agency leaders, workforce educators, industry partners, and student – gathered to make sure the workforce is ready with appropriate, accessible, and leading-edge training programs.
10:15 AM
Panel: The Workforce Behind the Wheel
Moderated by Bonnie Trowbridge
Panelists:
Megan Christiansen — Colorado Energy Office
Michael King — Colorado Dept. of Transportation
Matt Goble — Colorado Dept. of Public Health & Environment
Three state agencies, one shared mission. After a brief overview of the Colorado Climate Workforce Analysis & Plan each panelist will speak to what their agency is investing in, what funding and programs are available now, and what they need from the workforce community to make it work.
This is a rare opportunity to hear from the people driving state EV policy all in one room. Funding announcements will be made. Come with questions.
11:00 AM
Breakout Round 1: Current State of Affairs
Participants self-select into one of three tracks
Tracks:
Vehicle Technicians: EV diagnostics, repair & maintenance workforce needs (led by A.J. Samora)
Infrastructure/Chargers: Installation, inspection & maintenance of EV supply equipment (led by Jake Bergen)
First Responders: Emergency response protocols, battery safety & incident management (led by Steve Trowbridge)
Join a breakout group for a working conversation among your peers doing the work.
Vehicle Tech: Who is training EV technicians in Colorado today? What certifications exist, and where are the real capacity gaps?
Charging & Electrical: What does EVSE installation and maintenance actually require? How are contractors, utilities, and apprenticeship programs adapting?
First Responders: How prepared are Colorado departments right now? What does solid EV safety training look like, and who is delivering it?
Come ready to share what you are seeing on the ground.
45 minutes | Tracks reconvene at 11:45 AM
11:45 AM
Networking Lunch
Students welcome and encouraged to attend
A great opportunity for cross-sector connections between industry, educators, agency partners, and the next generation of EV workforce professionals.
75 minutes
1:00 PM
Breakout Round 2: Needs and Next Steps
Tracks reconvene in same groups
What does this sector need to close the gap?
Funding, curriculum, partnerships, credentialing?
45 minutes
1:45 PM
Breakout Round 3: Priorities and Action Planning
Tracks continue — building toward report-out
Identify 2-3 concrete and actionable priorities your group will bring back to the full room.
Who needs to be at the table? What is the timeline? What does DCC need to do to support you?
Assign a spokesperson for report-out.
45 minutes
2:30 PM
Full Group Report-Out
All tracks, all together
Facilitated by Bonnie Trowbridge.
Closing remarks and next steps from DCC.
Each track shares top priorities and action items.
DCC will capture commitments and follow up in writing.
The goal: everyone leaves knowing what happens next and who is responsible for making it happen.
30 minutes
3:00 PM
Adjourn
Thank you for being part of building the workforce Colorado’s EV future demands.