Colorado faces a persistent shortage of behavioral health workers, especially in entry- and mid-level roles that anchor care teams. Young adults, meanwhile, are seeking purpose-driven work with belonging and growth. This guide illustrates how structured career pathways can connect those motivations to Colorado’s workforce needs
Behavioral health job openings in the state are projected to increase by about 30% from 2023 to 2030, outpacing the growth in the provider pipeline. These gaps directly limit access, increase wait times, and drive burnout among existing staff. These workforce gaps are occurring just as a new generation of young adults is seeking meaningful, purpose-driven careers.
This creates both a challenge and an opportunity for Colorado’s behavioral health system.
Young adults are seeking purpose-driven work, and behavioral health roles offer meaningful connection, community impact, and transferable skills (communication, crisis response, cultural humility). Yet workers often cite two persistent challenges: wages are often low, and advancement is unclear. Without intentional structures—tuition support, paid supervision, bridge programs—many early career workers stall before reaching higher-wage licensed roles.
This guide responds to those challenges by:
- Demystifying role progression by showing how an individual can move from entry-level positions into higher-skill jobs.
- Aligning training with Medicaid-recognized roles so that credentials pursued by workers connect to real employment opportunities.
- Identifying gaps where new models (e.g., apprenticeship, work-based learning, paid supervision, bridge credentials) are needed to strengthen retention and advancement.
