High school students in Colorado are gaining real-world construction experience inside a 32,000-square-foot modular home factory designed to train the next generation of skilled workers while providing new housing opportunities for families in Boulder. The facility, funded by a $13 million investment that combined municipal resources with federal, state and private support, has quickly become an innovative model for addressing both workforce shortages and the rising cost of housing in the region.

Hands-On Learning That Prepares Students for Trade Careers

Inside the factory, students work side-by-side with instructors to learn essential construction skills—from reading blueprints to installing drywall correctly. When student June Baker and her teacher noticed an issue with mislabeled drywall panels, the mistake became an immediate learning opportunity. It also prompted the team to improve labeling standards for future builds, reinforcing the program’s emphasis on professional work habits and problem solving.

Many of the students participating in the training plan to continue into trade careers. High school senior Sean McCormick, who helped transport and install the first two modular homes at the nearby Ponderosa Mobile Home Park, said witnessing the finished structures being lifted into place was proof of what students can accomplish. As he prepares to graduate and enter trade school, McCormick reflects a growing national demand for skilled workers. A recent projection from construction industry analysts estimates that the U.S. will need more than 500,000 additional workers in the coming years to meet infrastructure and housing needs. Students exploring career resources can also find guidance on the U.S. Department of Labor website (https://www.dol.gov) as they begin planning their futures.

A Collaborative Model Supporting Affordable Housing in Boulder

The modular home factory stands on land owned by the Boulder Valley School District, while Habitat for Humanity oversees the program’s housing development. The city of Boulder continues to focus on expanding affordable housing access and has published additional information about local initiatives through Boulder’s official housing programs (https://bouldercolorado.gov).

The Ponderosa Mobile Home Park, where the first units were installed, was severely affected by flooding in 2013. After purchasing the property, the city upgraded its infrastructure and partnered with Habitat for Humanity to provide residents with more stable long-term housing options. Families can choose to remain in their current mobile homes or transition into the new modular structures, a process that includes financial assistance tailored to each household’s income.

Residents exploring general information about home financing can learn more through the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s mortgage resources (https://www.consumerfinance.gov). These materials help prospective homeowners understand their rights, loan structures and budgeting decisions as they prepare for long-term stability.

Transforming Lives With Safe, Efficient and Affordable Homes

Each newly built modular home measures 1,150 square feet and includes three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Though final numbers continue to be calculated, estimates place the total cost per unit between $350,000 and $450,000—far below Boulder’s median single-family home price, which recently exceeded $1.3 million. The city also emphasizes energy efficiency and sustainability, aligning the project with broader environmental goals and community planning guidelines available through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (https://www.epa.gov).

Future homeowners contribute “sweat equity,” working alongside students and professional supervisors inside the modular factory. For residents like Maribel Gonzalez-Rodriguez, a longtime Boulder worker and single mother of four, the new homes represent stability and dignity after years of living in cramped conditions. In her current mobile home, her children share bedrooms while she sleeps on the couch. The new two-story home will finally give her a private room and a view of the mountains—a view she describes as the most beautiful in Boulder.

This collaborative program symbolizes how education, workforce development and affordable housing can come together to create opportunities for young people and families alike. With demand for skilled labor increasing and housing affordability becoming a greater challenge nationwide, Colorado’s modular home initiative offers a blueprint for communities looking to innovate with lasting impact.