We are pleased to announce the consolidation of Junior Achievement-Rocky Mountain (JA-Rocky Mountain), which covers Metro Denver and communities in the northern half of  Colorado and southern Wyoming; and Junior Achievement of Southern Colorado (JA of Southern Colorado), which covers Colorado Springs and communities in the southern half of Colorado, effective on November 3. The combined organization will create a statewide operation under the name JA-Rocky Mountain. This strategic move comes at a time when there is unprecedented momentum and interest in career-connected learning that accelerates economic opportunity and mobility for students.

JA-Rocky Mountain and JA of Southern Colorado have 146 years’ combined experience helping Colorado students develop skill sets and mindsets that lead to meaningful and opportunity-filled lives. As the organizations evolved to meet the growing and changing needs of students, teachers, and schools, JA-Rocky Mountain and JA of Southern Colorado recognized that consolidating is essential to furthering the JA mission.

“The consolidation positions JA-Rocky Mountain as a statewide solution provider which has significant benefits for educators, volunteers, donors, and staff,” said Robin Wise, president and CEO of JA-Rocky Mountain. “Most importantly, we are now able to serve more students with high impact, layered, and sequential JA experiences. We are particularly excited to implement best practices to reach rural students across the region,” she said.

JA-Rocky Mountain’s financial literacy, work and career readiness, and entrepreneurship programs bring learning to life, reinforce new concepts with hands-on experiences, and support the development of core competencies needed for an ever-changing economy. They align with national and state educational standards and are delivered to students with the help of education partners and volunteers from the local community.

“The consolidation of these two JA area offices allows for a more efficient and complete approach to extending JA’s impact,” said Tim Greinert, president of Junior Achievement USA.  “Together, they will leverage their combined expertise and resources to deliver high-quality experiential programs to teachers and students.”  JA-Rocky Mountain will work quickly to integrate the organizations and there will be no disruption to program delivery. JA programs will continue to be offered at no cost to students and schools.

The organization will communicate additional information as it becomes available by email and through its website.