Press Releases
Center for Rural AI Joins the Colorado Thrives AI Fellows Program
June 16, 2026 · Durango, Colorado
First-of-its-kind program, launched with Anthropic and CodePath, embeds AI-native emerging talent inside Colorado organizations.
The Center for Rural AI (CRAI) has joined the Colorado Thrives AI Fellows Program as a participating organization. Launched in partnership with Anthropic and CodePath, the program embeds AI-native emerging talent inside Colorado companies and organizations, with a focus on first-generation and underrepresented students.
Beginning in June 2026, twelve paid Fellows are driving real AI projects across participating organizations while building new pathways into the AI economy. At CRAI, team members Emaliah Sawyer and Holden Bronson are helping bring the effort to life.
“Rural communities don't need to move to a tech hub to build a career in AI. Programs like this let talented young people build that future where they already are — and let organizations like ours grow the capacity to serve rural America.”
About the Center for Rural AI
The Center for Rural AI is a fiscally sponsored project of SW Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3), based in Durango, Colorado. CRAI helps rural communities, institutions, and businesses build practical AI capacity through hands-on training, real-world pilots, and open playbooks. Learn more at ruralai.org.
Media contact: press@ruralai.org