Colorado River BOCES
Colorado River BOCES is a Colorado public educational cooperative serving six member school districts across Garfield, Pitkin, and Mesa Counties with special education, CTE, alternative licensure, and statewide initiatives like Colorado Empowered Learning and OERColorado.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersParachute, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Colorado River BOCES does
Colorado River BOCES is a Colorado public educational cooperative (Board of Cooperative Educational Services) headquartered in Parachute, Colorado, serving member school districts across Garfield, Pitkin, and Mesa Counties. Founded in its current form in 2017 with predecessor operations dating to 1975, the organization delivers special education leadership (Exceptional Student Services), Career and Technical Education via the EPIC (Educational Pathways to Innovative Careers) program, alternative teacher and principal licensure, gifted education, professional development, and administration of the Yampah Mountain High School alternative school. It also operates statewide initiatives including Colorado Empowered Learning (HB 16-1222, in partnership with Colorado Digital Learning Solutions and iLearn Collaborative across 100+ districts), OERColorado (an open educational resources digital library), and an AI Initiative for educator professional development delivered with CC-LIVE.
The entity is governed by a board comprising representatives from its six member districts (Garfield 16, Garfield RE-2, De Beque 49-JT, Roaring Fork, Aspen, and Plateau Valley 50) and led by Executive Director Leon Hanhardt with CFO Jennifer Rhoades. Revenue is generated through member-district service agreements, per-candidate Alternative Licensure program fees (up to $6,000 per candidate with multi-year installment schedules), state legislative appropriation (CEL), grant and donation inflows, and CTE-related industry partnerships. Underlying technology platforms include the OERColorado content library (Creative Commons licensed, linked via OER Commons), Enrich for IEP management, and statewide digital course delivery through Colorado Digital Learning Solutions.
The go-to-market is relationship-driven and governance-anchored rather than sales-led: the BOCES pools district resources to provide specialized services individual rural districts could not afford independently, recruits alternative licensure candidates through TEACH Colorado and direct district HR engagement, and leverages state-level statutory authority to extend programs statewide. Notable operational outcomes include 62 students completing trade internships over five years, 54 students entering construction trades (32 remaining active), and 12 students graduating with construction trade certifications in 2021.
Colorado River BOCES firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Colorado River BOCES
- Legal name
- Colorado River Board of Cooperative Educational Services
- Website
- https://crboces.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Colorado River BOCES is a Colorado public educational cooperative serving six member school districts across Garfield, Pitkin, and Mesa Counties with special education, CTE, alternative licensure, and statewide initiatives like Colorado Empowered Learning and OERColorado.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Colorado River BOCES industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cooperative Educational Services
- NAICS
- Educational Services (611), Other Schools and Instruction (6116), Educational Support Services (611710), Elementary and Secondary Schools (611110)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Alternative Teacher Certification & Licensure Programs (EDAHAFAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Specialized Inclusive / Co-Taught Special Education Programs (EDAKAAAK), Co-Teaching & In-Class Instructional Support (Specialist Teachers) (EDAKABAA), Public Virtual & Blended Learning Programs (District-Run) (EDAJAAAI)
Keywords
Where Colorado River BOCES is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Parachute
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Colorado River BOCES business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Alternative Licensure Program Fees: Colorado River BOCES charges program fees for alternative teacher and principal licensure programs. Total program cost is $6,000, with member district candidates capped at $3,000 out-of-pocket and other district candidates at $4,400 maximum. Payment is structured in installments: 25% by September 30, 50% by January 1, and 25% by April 30.
- District Service Agreements: As a BOCES (Board of Cooperative Educational Services), the organization provides cost-effective, high-quality educational and administrative services to member school districts through pooled resources. Services include career and technical education, special education, alternative education, professional development, and technology services.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Member District Alternative Licensure - $3,000 max out of pocket |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Non-Member District Alternative Licensure - $4,400 max out of pocket |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Educator Recruitment and Retention Program - Up to $10,000 assistance |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Colorado River BOCES product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Colorado River BOCES delivers cooperative educational services to member school districts in Garfield, Pitkin, and Mesa Counties in Colorado. Its core offerings include the Alternative Licensure Program (state-approved pathway for teacher and principal certification), Career and Technical Education / EPIC (workforce pathways in Cyber Security, Construction, Digital Media, Pre-Engineering, Auto, Aviation), Exceptional Student Services (special education leadership and related services), Yampah Mountain High School (alternative high school with trade internships), Gifted Education oversight, the AI Initiative for educators, OERColorado (open educational resources), Colorado Empowered Learning (blended learning support), and an Induction Program.
Product overview
Colorado River BOCES is a board of cooperative educational services providing a portfolio of interconnected educational programs. The core offerings include the Alternative Licensure Program for teacher/principal certification, Career and Technical Education (EPIC) for workforce readiness, Exceptional Student Services for special education, and Yampah Mountain High School as an alternative high school. These are supported by specialized modules including the AI Initiative for AI integration training, OERColorado for open educational resources, Colorado Empowered Learning for blended learning support, Gifted Education programming, and an Induction Program for new educators. The organization serves member districts in Garfield, Pitkin, and Mesa County regions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- EPIC (Educational Pathways to Innovative Careers): Career and Technical Education department providing job ready skills to high school students and adults via CTE programming, professional development, work-based learning, and distance learning.
Products and services
- Alternative Licensure Program A Colorado State-approved alternative pathway program that enables individuals with bachelor's degrees to become licensed teachers or principals while working in Colorado schools, offering personalized, project-based, and competency-based learning. Total program cost is $6,000, with member-district candidates paying up to $3,000 out-of-pocket and non-member district candidates up to $4,400, billed in installments (25% by Sept 30, 50% by Jan 1, 25% by Apr 30).
- Exceptional Student Services (ESS)
Quantifiable outcome
- 54 students from Yampah Mountain High School entered construction trades (plumbing, electrical, HVAC, welding) over five years; 32 remain active in their field
- +5 more outcomes
Companies that use Colorado River BOCES
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Colorado River BOCES technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Colorado River BOCES partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Colorado Digital Learning SolutionscoreState-supported supplemental online program provider providing high-quality online courses that supplement district course offerings. Partners with Colorado River BOCES to deliver over 100 online modules through the EPIC program.
- iLearn CollaborativecoreNon-profit provider delivering educator training and standards-aligned digital curriculum for the Colorado Empowered Learning (CEL) program. Works with thousands of teachers across over 100 districts.
- CC-LIVE (Classrooms for Colorado LIVE)coreCollaborative partner in the AI Initiative program where certified teachers work hand-in-hand with CC-LIVE instructors to provide comprehensive AI integration training for educators.
- TEACH ColoradocoreProgram providing free support to prospective teachers including 1-on-1 coaching, up to $100 in fee reimbursements, and $1,000 scholarship opportunities. CR BOCES leverages this partnership to recruit alternative licensure candidates.
- COVENTUREminorRegional industry partner cited in CTE Impact materials. Quote attributed to Mike Lowe supporting the mission of providing career pathways for students.
- Gallegos ConstructionminorRegional construction company providing industry perspective on workforce needs. Quote from David Little highlighting housing construction demands.
- Colorado WorkforceminorState workforce development agency. Quote from Carolyn Tucker on the 'silver tsunami' retirement wave and workforce replacement needs.
- Yampah Mountain High SchoolcoreAlternative high school administered by Colorado River BOCES, providing successful work study opportunities for students. Has facilitated 62 student trade internships and first formal graduation ceremony for trades-bound students.
- Garfield 16 School DistrictcoreMember district in Parachute, CO receiving special education services, CTE programming, and gifted education oversight from Colorado River BOCES.
- Garfield RE-2 School DistrictcoreMember district in Rifle, Silt, and New Castle receiving special education, CTE, gifted education, and administrative services from Colorado River BOCES.
- Roaring Fork SchoolscoreMember district receiving alternative licensure services and other BOCES programming including special education leadership.
- Aspen School DistrictcoreMember district receiving cooperative educational services including alternative licensure from Colorado River BOCES.
- De Beque Joint District 49-JTcoreMember district at the eastern edge of BOCES service area receiving cooperative educational services.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Colorado River BOCES competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Santa Fe Trail BOCES: Colorado BOCES serving southeastern Colorado districts with similar cooperative educational service portfolio. Structural and regulatory peer to CR BOCES under the same Colorado statute.
- Pikes Peak BOCES: Another Colorado BOCES providing alternative licensure, special education, and CTE services to member school districts in the Pikes Peak region. Direct structural parallel to Colorado River BOCES in same state system.
- San Juan BOCES: Colorado BOCES serving southwestern Colorado districts with cooperative educational services including special education, CTE, and professional development. Same statutory authority and service model as CR BOCES.
- Northeast BOCES: Colorado BOCES providing cooperative educational services to member districts in northeastern Colorado. Operates under same statutory authority with overlapping service lines including CTE and special education.
- Centennial BOCES: Colorado BOCES providing cooperative services to northeastern Colorado districts, including alternative licensure and special education. Direct peer in the same BOCES statutory framework.
- TEACH Colorado: Colorado-based organization providing free support to prospective teachers with 1-on-1 coaching and scholarships. Functions as a recruitment channel and complementary alternative licensure support partner.
- Classrooms for Colorado LIVE (CC-LIVE): Collaborative partner in CR BOCES' AI Initiative, providing certified teacher-led AI integration professional development for educators. Operates in the same professional development and EdTech space.
Broad incumbents
- iLearn Collaborative: Non-profit partner delivering educator training and digital curriculum for Colorado Empowered Learning, working with thousands of teachers across 100+ districts. Functions as both partner and broader ecosystem player in Colorado digital learning.
- Colorado BOCES Association: Statewide association representing all Colorado BOCES entities, providing policy advocacy and shared services. Operates at the industry level above individual BOCES like CR BOCES.
- Colorado Digital Learning Solutions: State-supported supplemental online program provider partnering with CR BOCES on CEL. Operates at broader statewide scale as a digital learning infrastructure provider across Colorado.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
Colorado River BOCES social profiles
Digital presenceColorado River BOCES financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Colorado River BOCES leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Colorado River BOCES subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Colorado River BOCES funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Colorado River BOCES M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Colorado River BOCES
What does Colorado River BOCES do?
Colorado River BOCES delivers cooperative educational services to member school districts in Garfield, Pitkin, and Mesa Counties in Colorado. Its core offerings include the Alternative Licensure Program (state-approved pathway for teacher and principal certification), Career and Technical Education / EPIC (workforce pathways in Cyber Security, Construction, Digital Media, Pre-Engineering, Auto, Aviation), Exceptional Student Services (special education leadership and related services), Yampah Mountain High School (alternative high school with trade internships), Gifted Education oversight, the AI Initiative for educators, OERColorado (open educational resources), Colorado Empowered Learning (blended learning support), and an Induction Program.
Is Colorado River BOCES a public or private company?
Colorado River BOCES is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Colorado River BOCES founded?
Colorado River BOCES was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Colorado River BOCES based?
Colorado River BOCES is headquartered in Parachute, United States, in the North America region.
How does Colorado River BOCES make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Alternative Licensure Program Fees are the primary driver. The others are district Service Agreements.
Who are Colorado River BOCES's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Santa Fe Trail BOCES, Pikes Peak BOCES, San Juan BOCES, Northeast BOCES, Centennial BOCES, TEACH Colorado and Classrooms for Colorado LIVE (CC-LIVE). Broad incumbents are iLearn Collaborative, Colorado BOCES Association and Colorado Digital Learning Solutions.
Does Colorado River BOCES have an API?
No public API is recorded for Colorado River BOCES.
What industry is Colorado River BOCES in?
Colorado River BOCES's product category is Cooperative Educational Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHAFAC, Alternative Teacher Certification & Licensure Programs, with a secondary code of EDAKAAAK, Specialized Inclusive / Co-Taught Special Education Programs. Its NAICS code is 611 and its SIC code is 8200.