An individual demonstrates the forklift simulator at the new CoorsTek Academy Training Center during the July 16 ribbon-cutting ceremony
An individual demonstrates the forklift simulator at the new CoorsTek Academy Training Center during the July 16 ribbon-cutting ceremony. The academy at 4414 Table Mountain Drive will help hundreds of CoorsTek employees, local students and others hone their advanced manufacturing skills. Credit: Corinne Westeman

A year ago, the CoorsTek facility at 4414 Table Mountain Drive was a simple warehouse.

Today, it’s a training center.

And, in the coming months and years, CoorsTek leaders hope it’ll become a regional epicenter for advanced manufacturing workforce development.

On July 16, the company celebrated opening its new CoorsTek Academy Advanced Manufacturing Training Center with its industry and education partners, as well as state and local government officials.

On July 16, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, center, and CoorsTek representatives cut the ribbon for the CoorsTek Academy Training Center.
On July 16, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, center, and CoorsTek representatives cut the ribbon for the CoorsTek Academy Training Center. The academy at 4414 Table Mountain Drive in northeastern Golden will be a workforce development asset for CoorsTek, local school districts, community colleges and other businesses. Credit: Corinne Westeman

The CoorsTek Academy started in 2021 to train internal hires and employees.

However, this new training center in northeastern Golden was made to be used by outside entities.

According to CoorsTek Workforce Development Manager Elizabeth Pittman, workforce development centers, local school districts, community colleges and other companies will use it to train people in universally applied manufacturing skills.

“This is really what opportunity looks like,” Colorado Gov. Jared Polis said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Pittman and other CoorsTek officials explained how the state-of-the-art facility will be ideal for advanced manufacturing personnel, covering everything from a half-day recertification course to a multiyear apprenticeship.

CoorsTek employees are also using the training center for apprenticeships, recertification and other endeavors.

The six members of the first CoorsTek Academy Training Center apprenticeship cohort celebrate the academy's July 16 ribbon-cutting ceremony
The six members of the first CoorsTek Academy Training Center apprenticeship cohort celebrate the academy’s July 16 ribbon-cutting ceremony. The six started their apprenticeships June 30, and will be working and training at CoorsTek until September 2026. Credit: Corinne Westeman

In fact, Pittman said the first apprenticeship cohort — composed of six recent high school graduates from Jefferson and Denver counties — started on June 30 for an 18-month program.

The facility is composed of two training bays. One is specific to CoorsTek employees, with proprietary technology and machinery. The second is open to community colleges, workforce development centers and others, Pittman said.

Both feature innovative technologies, such as a forklift simulator, to help participants learn.

Opportunity Now Colorado

Last year, CoorsTek received a $4.5 million Opportunity Now Colorado grant to help establish the academy. From now until late 2026, the academy must serve at least 1,200 Coloradans as part of the grant requirements.

State Rep. Brianna Titone, far left, and other officials survey the new CoorsTek Academy Training Center from an overhead observation deck
State Rep. Brianna Titone, left, and other officials survey the new CoorsTek Academy Training Center from an overhead observation deck. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, second from right, and other officials joined CoorsTek for the academy’s July 16 ribbon-cutting ceremony. Credit: Corinne Westeman

Polis said that overall, $55 million in Opportunity Now grants will help at least 20,000 Coloradans with job training and placement. The CoorsTek Academy’s training center specifically will be a major boost for the 6,000 companies that comprise Colorado’s advanced manufacturing sector, he said.

CoorsTek leaders thanked the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade and the Governor’s Office for investing in the training center, saying it will become a model for public-private collaboration.

Chief Executive Officer Michael Coors also anticipated it’d be a major asset to Colorado’s advanced manufacturing sector, and help boost local companies, employees and economic development.

Irma Lockridge, chief people & systems officer, encouraged Polis and other officials to check back on the training center in a year to see just how much it had grown and how significant of an impact it’s had.

Click through additional photos from the July 16 ribbon-cutting ceremony:

  • Director Sean Grubb, at left, gives Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, center, and other officials a quick tour of the new CoorsTek Academy Training Center during a July 16 ribbon-cutting ceremony.
    Director Sean Grubb, at left, gives Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, center, and other officials a quick tour of the new CoorsTek Academy Training Center during a July 16 ribbon-cutting ceremony. Credit: Corinne Westeman
  • Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, left, and CoorsTek CEO Michael Coors speak at the July 16 ribbon-cutting ceremony for the CoorsTek Academy Training Center.
    Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, left, and CoorsTek CEO Michael Coors speak at the July 16 ribbon-cutting ceremony for the CoorsTek Academy Training Center. Credit: Corinne Westeman
  • On July 16, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, center, and CoorsTek representatives cut the ribbon for the CoorsTek Academy Training Center
    On July 16, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, center, and CoorsTek representatives cut the ribbon for the CoorsTek Academy Training Center Credit: Corinne Westeman
  • Billy Mansour, Emerson's vice president of North America operations, speaks at the July 16 ribbon-cutting ceremony for the CoorsTek Academy Training Center.
    Billy Mansour, Emerson’s vice president of North America operations, speaks at the July 16 ribbon-cutting ceremony for the CoorsTek Academy Training Center. Credit: Corinne Westeman
  • CoorsTek hosts a ribbon-cutting ceremony July 16 for its new advanced manufacturing training center.
    CoorsTek hosts a ribbon-cutting ceremony July 16 for its new advanced manufacturing training center. Credit: Corinne Westeman
  • An individual demonstrates the forklift simulator at the new CoorsTek Academy Training Center during the July 16 ribbon-cutting ceremony
    An individual demonstrates the forklift simulator at the new CoorsTek Academy Training Center during the July 16 ribbon-cutting ceremony. The academy at 4414 Table Mountain Drive will help hundreds of CoorsTek employees, local students and others hone their advanced manufacturing skills. Credit: Corinne Westeman
  • The six members of the first CoorsTek Academy Training Center apprenticeship cohort celebrate the academy's July 16 ribbon-cutting ceremony
    The six members of the first CoorsTek Academy Training Center apprenticeship cohort celebrate the academy’s July 16 ribbon-cutting ceremony. The six started their apprenticeships June 30, and will be working and training at CoorsTek until September 2026. Credit: Corinne Westeman

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