About PTEC

  • Power Technical (often referred to as PTEC) is the youngest school of the ÑÇÉ«Ó°¿â network.  In 2012, the idea of starting a trade school was formulated by then CEO Jonathan Berg with the Dean Rob Daugherty.  Two years later, proposals were submitted to Districts 2, 3, 8, and 11.  None of the Districts were interested.

  • In 2015, D49 agrees to be the authorizer of James Irwin’s trade school with the Pathways in Technology Program. The James Irwin Charter Foundation bought the property at 2525 Canada Drive.  Began major renovation of the existing building.

  • In 2016, Power Technical Early College (PTEC) opened up in September with 161 students at Hilltop Baptist and then moved to the Canada campus in late October with Rob Daugherty as the Principal.

  • The Education Policy Center at the Independence Institute chooses PTEC as the Colorado Public School Profile of 2020.  Click here to read the profile

  • Rob Daugherty was promoted to CEO of ÑÇÉ«Ó°¿â and LeErica Warren became principal for 2020-2021 school year.

  • James Irwin Educational Foundation bought a s nearly 100,000 square foot building in 2022 since PTEC had outgrown the Canada Drive location.  The former Lockheed Martin building went through a dramatic transformation into a state-of-art pre-engineering professional trade school.

  •  In 2023, Power Technical (PTEC) legally changed its name and moved into the new facility at 2460 Waynoka Place.  

  • James Downing, a 19-year James Irwin employee, was named the Principal of PTEC.

Former Principal/Founder Rob Daugherty is interviewed by the Independence Institute's President Jon Caldara about PTEC in early 2020.