DENVER — On Monday, technology company Bitwise Industries and the Kapor Center launched a new website for Coloradans to find jobs and connect to other vital services. Onward Colorado is described as a one-stop shop for those who have lost their jobs due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. The site provides information and links to resources including job postings, food assistance, childcare, and housing.
“Colorado will be the second state in what we expect over the next couple of weeks to be more than 20 states,” said Jake Soberal, CEO of Bitwise Industries.
Bitwise, which recently helped the state of California launch Onward California, worked with Governor Jared Polis to launch a Colorado version. Soberal said Bitwise employs a team of 200 people who will bring city-specific job information to Onward Colorado.
“If Amazon is hiring 100,000 people, we’re working on finding the local logistics company in Aurora that has 10 jobs,” he said.
The site also allows job seekers to find local resources, like non-profits and community groups, that are providing resources like food or childcare assistance. Soberal emphasized that the goal is to connect people with help that’s available locally, not just through the state or federal government.
“We don’t have any guarantee that those resources are not going to run out. We’re in a crisis moment, but what we do have the ability to do is put more than just the one that’s on CNN on the platform,” he said.
The state also on Monday added more resources to the myColorado mobile app for assistance with food, money, medical and early childhood assistance, as well as resources for COVID-19.
“The pandemic has brought uncertainty and changes to Coloradans and their families,” said OIT Chief Information Officer and Executive Director Theresa Szczurek, Ph.D. “All Coloradans can view COVID-19 information in one place and residents who are facing hardship can use the myColorado mobile app to access benefits on Colorado PEAK.”
