Denver Health and Social Finance Announce New Partnership to Expand Access to Health Care Careers for Coloradans 

Investment from the Colorado Pay It Forward Fund will support living expense loans for students in high-demand health care training programs 

Denver and Boston—Today, Denver Health, a comprehensive health and hospital system, and national nonprofit Social Finance announced a new partnership to help more students enter in-demand health care careers. This pioneering program, borne of Social Finance’s innovative, student-friendly financing model and Denver Health’s commitment to investing in their local healthcare workforce, is a bold step forward in how workforce investments are made. Qualifying students enrolled in eligible Denver Health training programs will have access to zero-interest loans, which will help them cover living expenses while they complete their education.  

Many learners face financial barriers that prevent full-time participation in training programs. These zero-interest loans will provide a financial bridge for students to focus on their education. For borrowers who remain employed by Denver Health after graduation, the health system will support repayment of these zero-interest loans—an important investment from the system in the upskilling of their own workforce. This investment is facilitated by the Colorado Pay It Forward Fund, a workforce development initiative designed to help more Coloradans enter in-demand careers. 

These living expense loans, supported by the origination vendor Ascent, will be available to students in select health care training tracks facilitated by the Denver Health Workforce Department, including the dental assistant, paramedic, and phlebotomy programs. These programs are designed to prepare learners for critical roles within the health care system and are aligned with Denver Health’s mission to serve the community and build a workforce that reflects the populations it serves. 

“We’re excited to partner with Denver Health on this innovative approach to workforce development,” said Andrew Chen, Vice President of Impact Investments at Social Finance. “This investment aims to strengthen Denver Health’s talent pipeline and improve employee retention while helping students access high-quality health care training. Through this approach, Denver Health is showing what is possible by investing its own resources in the growth of its future employees. It’s a model to deliver impact for learners, employers, and the broader community.” 

In 2024, Denver Health’s Workforce Development Center supported over 500 employees and students through education support and career development programs. The purpose of the Workforce Development Center is to support their staff (and future staff) through wraparound resources and career coaching to increase economic mobility through pathways into better paying jobs. 

“With this partnership we will be able to support learners through their programs, create retention for those hired with Denver Health and continue to provide support as they begin their career journey with Denver Health,” said Jorge Avendano-Curiel, Associate Chief Officer of Workforce and Organizational Development at Denver Health. 

The Colorado Pay It Forward Fund is an initiative of national nonprofit Social Finance and five Colorado foundations, including Colorado Gives Foundation, The Colorado Health Foundation, Gary Community Ventures, Walton Family Foundation, and other local donors. The Fund provides low- or no-interest loans to learners, training providers, and employers to help Coloradans access the state’s most in-demand jobs. 

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About Social Finance
Social Finance is a national nonprofit and Securities and Exchange Commission registered investment adviser (SF Advisors, LLC). We work with the public, private, and social sectors to create partnerships and investments that measurably improve lives. Since our founding in 2011, we have mobilized more than $500 million in new investments designed to help people and communities realize improved outcomes in workforce and economic mobility, health, and housing. Learn more at socialfinance.org.     

About Denver Health
Denver Health is a comprehensive health and hospital system that provides high-quality care and proudly serves as the city’s safety-net hospital. For more than 160 years, Denver Health has been guided by its mission to serve the people of Denver, to educate the next generation of health care professionals and to engage in research and community partnerships to better deliver the health care needs of our patients while strengthening our community. 

About Ascent 
Ascent is a mission-driven fintech company committed to redefining student lending through a focus on access, affordability, and lasting economic impact. Backed by institutional capital, Ascent offers innovative loan options for college and career training programs—helping more students qualify, with or without a cosigner.