As part of the Colorado Office of Just Transition suite of services offered to coal workers and their families, United Way of the Yampa Valley will provide free financial education classes to individuals and families impacted by the region’s transition from coal.

As Northwest Colorado transitions away from coal operations over the next two to four years, the Western Slope Opportunity Project will provide one year of critical support to affected workers and families impacted by coal facility closures, including mines, power plants and supply chain companies.

The free financial education is funded by a $70,337.60 grant from OJT. The WSOP is led by United Way of the Yampa Valley and supported by partners like Love Inc., Community Budget Center, Money Management International (MMI), Cross Country Mortgage, Cornerstone Realty, Yampa Valley Bank, and Edward Jones.

Services will include goal setting, budgeting, debt management and investing. One-on-one financial counseling will be offered virtually by MMI, and courses will be held in person by UWYV.

WSOP will also launch a “Train the Trainer” program to create a network of local financial coaches, ensuring long-term resilience and economic stability in communities like Craig, Hayden and Meeker. 

The inaugural class for workers and their families consists of three sessions:

• Session 1: 4-7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6

• Session 2: 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Oct. 18

• Session 3: 4-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22

All the sessions will be held at Craig’s Yampa Building, 775 Yampa Ave. Food and child care will be provided. Attendees must register for the classes at the United Way website, unitedwayoftheyampavalley.org/wsop.

An OJT Transition Navigator will follow up via phone or email before the class. There will be future classes held in Meeker and Hayden that will be announced later in the year.