Second Regular Session
Seventy-fourth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
ENGROSSED
This Version Includes All Amendments Adopted
on Second Reading in the House of Introduction
LLS NO. 24-0628.02 Anna Petrini x5497
SENATE BILL 24-143
Senate Committees House Committees
Education
Appropriations
A BILL FOR AN ACT
C
ONCERNING CREDENTIAL ASSESSMENT TOOLS , AND, IN CONNECTION101
THEREWITH, INTEGRATING FRAMEWORKS FOR NONDEGREE102
CREDENTIAL EVALUATION AND CLASSIFICATION INTO STATE103
EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE SYSTEMS ,
ALIGNING STACKABLE104
CREDENTIAL PATHWAYS AND APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS WITH105
INTERNATIONAL CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS , AND MAKING AN106
APPROPRIATION.107
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill
passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
http://leg.colorado.gov
.)
SENATE
Amended 2nd Reading
April 18, 2024
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Coleman and Zenzinger,
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Herod and Hamrick,
Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law.
Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law. Current law requires the department of higher education
(department) and other higher education institutions to develop a
framework for evaluating the quality of nondegree credentials. The bill
formally recognizes the resulting quality and in-demand nondegree
credentials framework (quality nondegree credentials framework) as the
primary tool for assessing the quality of nondegree credentials offered in
the state.
The bill requires the department to collaborate with various
agencies to ensure the effective integration of the quality nondegree
credentials framework within the state's education and workforce systems
and to evaluate nondegree credentials offered through state-recognized
programs to ensure the credentials meet the framework's quality
standards. At least annually, the department shall supply a list of
nondegree credential programs that meet the framework's quality
standards for inclusion in the Colorado talent report and a credential
registry endorsed by the state.
The department shall engage state agencies, educational
institutions, international organizations, and other stakeholders to study
and make recommendations about the adoption of the international
standard classification of education (ISCED) as the state's standard
framework for classifying nondegree credentials and ISCED's wider
application in the state's education and workforce systems. The
recommendations must include a process for assigning ISCED
equivalency levels to nondegree credentials included in stackable
credential pathways and apprenticeship programs. The bill requires the
department to report its findings and recommendations on or before
January 1, 2025.
Current law requires the department to create stackable credential
pathways in growing industries. The bill requires the department to align
the stackable credential pathways with appropriate ISCED equivalency
levels on or before January 1, 2025.
The bill requires the office of future of work to coordinate with
various agencies to determine ISCED equivalency levels for each
apprenticeship program registered on and after January 1, 2025. The
office of future of work shall then determine ISCED equivalency levels
for each apprenticeship program registered before January 1, 2025.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly2
finds and declares that:3
(a) The strength and prosperity of Colorado's economy hinges on4
143-2- economic mobility and educational opportunities for all Coloradans and1
on the cultivation of a skilled workforce. According to the 2022 Colorado2
talent pipeline report, 91.4 percent of tier one top jobs and 70.4 percent3
of tier two top jobs in the state required some form of postsecondary4
education beyond high school, including traditional academic degrees, as5
well as industry certifications, badges, sub-baccalaureate certificates,6
professional licenses, and apprenticeships.7
(b) Traditional undergraduate and graduate degree programs are8
the foundation of our postsecondary training system. However, they9
cannot fully meet Colorado's evolving skilled workforce needs.10
Nondegree credentials provide a valuable and complementary approach11
to bridging the skills gap. They offer learners a practical and expedited12
pathway to acquire the precise skills that employers urgently require to13
meet their immediate workforce needs.14
(c) In 2021, Credential Engine reported 967,734 unique secondary15
and postsecondary education credentials in the United States. Existing16
accreditation and regulation systems provide quality assurance for degree17
programs but, with the exception of sub-baccalaureate certifications, do18
not take a sufficiently holistic approach to quality assurance for19
nondegree credentials. Existing systems fail to validate the legitimacy of20
nondegree credentials, specify how they relate to degree programs, and21
fail to indicate whether they develop in-demand skills that lead to good22
jobs. This places a considerable burden on both learners and employers23
who lack the time, expertise, and resources to verify the legitimacy and24
quality of these credentials. As a result, employers and learners continue25
to rely heavily on traditional degrees while quality nondegree credentials26
remain underused and undervalued.27
143
-3- (d) To address this need, Colorado requires a system that brings1
quality assurance, clarity, and order to the complex landscape of both2
nondegree and traditional degree credentials by validating high-quality3
credentials and indicating the level of training or skill mastery they4
deliver; and5
(e) With the help of a quality assurance framework and an6
internationally recognized standard classification system, Colorado7
employers can more easily assess candidate qualifications and skill8
profiles and align their hiring practices and policies with proper9
recognition of nondegree credentials. Knowing their chosen program10
carries validation, legitimacy, and value in the labor market empowers11
Colorado learners to make informed decisions about their careers.12
(2) Therefore, the general assembly declares that the13
implementation of a quality nondegree credentials framework and a14
standard classification system is an essential step toward an equitable15
economy, economic mobility, workforce development, and clarity in16
educational and training attainment.17
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 23-5-145.8 as18
follows:19
23-5-145.8. Credential quality standards - report - definitions.20
(1) A
S USED IN THIS SECTION, UNLESS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE21
REQUIRES:22
(a) "A
PPRENTICESHIP CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION " MEANS A23
CERTIFICATE AWARDED TO AN APPRENTICE IN RECOGNITION OF THE24
SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF A REGISTERED
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM.25
(b) "C
OLORADO TALENT REPORT " MEANS THE REPORT PREPARED26
PURSUANT TO SECTION 24-46.3-103.27
143
-4- (c) "DEPARTMENT" MEANS THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER1
EDUCATION CREATED AND EXISTING PURSUANT TO SECTION 24-1-114.2
(d) "I
NDUSTRY CERTIFICATION" MEANS A CREDENTIAL AWARDED3
BY AN INDUSTRY-RECOGNIZED THIRD PARTY OR INDUSTRY -GOVERNING4
BOARD BASED ON AN INDIVIDUAL DEMONSTRATING BY ASSESSMENT THAT5
THE INDIVIDUAL HAS ACQUIRED THE DESIGNATED KNOWLEDGE , SKILLS,6
AND ABILITIES RELATED TO A SPECIFIC OCCUPATION OR SKILL . INDUSTRY7
CERTIFICATIONS MAY BE TIME -LIMITED DEPENDENT UPON THE8
OCCUPATION OR INDUSTRY.9
(e) "I
NTERNATIONAL STANDARD CLASSIFICATION OF EDUCATION "10
OR "ISCED" MEANS A COMPREHENSIVE FRAMEWORK FOR ORGANIZING11
EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMS THAT APPLIES UNIFORM AND12
INTERNATIONALLY AGREED -UPON CLASSIFICATIONS TO FACILITATE13
COMPARISONS OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMS ACROSS14
COUNTRIES.15
(f) "N
ONDEGREE CREDENTIAL " MEANS A POSTSECONDARY16
CERTIFICATE, APPRENTICESHIP CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION ,17
PROFESSIONAL LICENSE, OR INDUSTRY CERTIFICATION.18
(g) "P
OSTSECONDARY CERTIFICATE " MEANS A CREDENTIAL19
AWARDED BY AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION AT AN20
UNDERGRADUATE LEVEL BASED ON COMPLETION OF ALL REQUIREMENTS21
FOR A PROGRAM OF STUDY , INCLUDING COURSEWORK AND EXAMS .22
P
OSTSECONDARY CERTIFICATES ARE NOT TIME -LIMITED AND DO NOT23
REQUIRE RENEWAL. "POSTSECONDARY CERTIFICATE " DOES NOT INCLUDE24
A DEGREE OR A CREDENTIAL AWARDED BY AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER25
EDUCATION AFTER COMPLETION OF A BACHELOR 'S DEGREE IN THE SAME26
PATHWAY.27
143
-5- (h) "QUALITY NONDEGREE CREDENTIALS FRAMEWORK " MEANS1
THE QUALITY AND IN-DEMAND NONDEGREE CREDENTIALS FRAMEWORK2
DEVELOPED PURSUANT TO SECTION 23-5-145.6 (2) TO ASSESS3
CERTIFICATIONS, OCCUPATIONAL LICENSES, APPRENTICESHIP CERTIFICATES4
OF COMPLETION, NON-CREDIT CERTIFICATES, MICRO-CREDENTIALS, AND5
SUB-BACCALAUREATE FOR -CREDIT CERTIFICATES AND ESTABLISHES A6
RUBRIC FOR EVALUATING CREDENTIALS IN STATE-RECOGNIZED PROGRAMS.7
(i) "S
TACKABLE CREDENTIAL PATHWAY " MEANS A SEQUENCE OF8
DEGREE OR NONDEGREE CREDENTIALS EARNED THROUGH VARIOUS MEANS ,9
INCLUDING THROUGH ASSESSMENT OF PRIOR LEARNING , THAT MAY BE10
ACCUMULATED OVER TIME AND MOVE AN INDIVIDUAL ALONG A CAREER11
PATHWAY OR UP A CAREER LADDER .12
(j) "S
TATE INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION" OR "INSTITUTION"13
HAS THE SAME MEANING AS SET FORTH IN SECTION 23-1-135.14
(2) (a) T
HE STATE OF COLORADO FORMALLY REC OGNIZES THE15
QUALITY NONDEGREE CREDENTIALS FRAMEWORK DEVELOPED PURSUANT16
TO SECTION 23-5-145.6 (2) AS THE PRIMARY TOOL FOR EVALUATING AND17
ENSURING THE QUALITY OF N ONDEGREE CREDENTIALS OFFERED WITHIN18
THE STATE.19
(b) T
HE DEPARTMENT, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE COLORADO20
WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL , THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ,21
THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT ,
THE COLORADO22
OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT , AND THE COLORADO COMMUNITY23
COLLEGE SYSTEM SHALL ENSURE THE EFFECTIVE INTEGRATION OF THE24
QUALITY NONDEGREE CREDENTIALS FRAMEWORK WITHIN THE STATE 'S25
EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE SYSTEMS .26
(c) B
EGINNING JANUARY 1, 2026, AND ANNUALLY THEREAFTER ,
27
143
-6- THE DEPARTMENT, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE COLORADO WORK FORCE1
DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL , THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION , THE2
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT , AND THE COLORADO OFFICE3
OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, SHALL EVALUATE NONDEGREE CREDENTIALS4
OFFERED THROUGH STATE -RECOGNIZED PROGRAMS TO ENSURE THE5
CREDENTIALS MEET THE QUALITY STANDARDS SET FORTH IN THE QUALITY6
NONDEGREE CREDENTIALS FRAMEWORK . STATE-RECOGNIZED PROGRAMS7
THAT ARE REQUIRED TO ENSURE NONDEGREE CREDENTIAL OFFERINGS8
MEET THE QUALITY STANDARDS SET FORTH IN THE QUALITY NONDEGREE9
CREDENTIALS FRAMEWORK INCLUDE , BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:10
(I) T
HE CAREER DEVELOPMENT SUCCESS PROGRAM CREATED11
PURSUANT TO SECTION 22-54-138; AND12
(II) T
HE STACKABLE CREDENTIAL PATHWAYS IDENTIFIED13
PURSUANT TO SECTION 23-5-145.6 (3).14
(d) B
EGINNING JANUARY 1, 2026, AND ANNUALLY THEREAFTER ,
15
THE DEPARTMENT, IN COLLABORATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF16
EDUCATION, THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT , AND THE17
C
OLORADO OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT , SHALL SUPPLY THE18
STATE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL WITH A LIST OF QUALITY19
NONDEGREE CREDENTIAL PROGRAMS THAT MEET THE QUALITY20
STANDARDS SET FORTH IN THE QUALITY NONDEGREE CREDENTIALS21
FRAMEWORK FOR INCLUSION IN THE COLORADO TALENT REPORT22
PRODUCED PURSUANT TO SECTION 24-46.3-103 (3)(a) AND IN A23
CREDENTIAL REGISTRY ENDORSED BY THE STATE .24
(3) (a) T
HE DEPARTMENT SHALL ENGAGE STATE AGENCIES ,25
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, INDUSTRY
26
ASSOCIATIONS, AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS TO STUDY AND MAKE27
143
-7- RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING THE ADOPTION OF ISCED AS THE1
STATE'S STANDARD FRAMEWORK FOR CLASSIFYING N ONDEGREE2
CREDENTIALS AND ISCED'S WIDER APPLICATION IN THE STATE 'S3
EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE SYSTEMS . ON OR BEFORE JULY 31, 2025, THE4
DEPARTMENT SHALL COMPLETE A STAKEHOLDER ENGAGE MENT PROCESS5
TO INFORM A REPORT. THE STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT PROCESS MUST :6
(I) S
OLICIT INPUT FROM EMPLOYERS AND THEIR INDUSTRY OR7
TRADE ASSOCIATIONS;8
(II) S
OLICIT INPUT FROM STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER9
EDUCATION;10
(III) S
OLICIT INPUT FROM THE COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF LABOR11
AND EMPLOYMENT, INCLUDING THE OFFICE OF FUTURE OF WORK AND THE12
STATE APPRENTICESHIP AGENCY, THE STATE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT13
COUNCIL, AND THE COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION STUDENT14
PATHWAYS UNIT; AND15
(IV) L
EVERAGE THE RESOURCES AND TOOLS OF THE ISCED16
COMMUNITY.17
(b) T
HE DEPARTMENT SHALL STUDY AND MAKE18
RECOMMENDATIONS CONCERNING HOW ISCED EQUIVALENCY LEVELS19
MAY BE:20
(I) I
MPLEMENTED AS THE STATE 'S STANDARD FRAMEWORK FOR21
ORGANIZING AND CLASSIFYING NONDEGREE CREDENTIALS ;22
(II) A
SSIGNED TO CREDENTIALS OR PACKAGES OF CREDENTIALS23
IDENTIFIED AND APPROVED PURSUANT TO SECTION 23-5-145.6 (3) AND (4);24
(III) A
SSIGNED TO REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIPS ;25
(IV) W
IDELY ADOPTED BY STAKEHOLDERS TO FACILITATE26
ALIGNMENT OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMS AND ASSOCIATED27
143
-8- QUALIFICATIONS; AND1
(V) E
FFECTIVELY INTEGRATED WITHIN THE STATE 'S EDUCATION2
AND WORKFORCE SYSTEMS .3
(c) O
N OR BEFORE JULY 31, 2025,
THE DEPARTMENT SHALL REPORT4
ITS FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE EDUCATION COMMITTEES5
OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES , OR ANY SUCCESSOR6
COMMITTEES.7
(d) O
N OR BEFORE JULY 31, 2025,
USING THE PROCESS8
RECOMMENDED PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (3)(b) OF THIS SECTION, THE9
DEPARTMENT SHALL ASSIGN ISCED EQUIVALENCY LEVELS TO THE10
CREDENTIALS INCLUDED IN THE STACKABLE CREDENTIAL PATHWAYS11
IDENTIFIED AND APPROVED PURSUANT TO SECTION 23-5-145.6 (3) AND (4).12
T
HE ISCED ALIGNMENT PROCESS MUST CONSIDER CREDENTIAL PROGRAM13
RIGOR AND RELEVANCE.14
(4) T
HE DEPARTMENT SHALL IMPLEMENT THIS SECTION SUBJECT TO
15
AVAILABLE APPROPRIATIONS.16
SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add part 10 to article17
83 of title 8 as follows:18
PART 1019
APPRENTICESHIP INTERNATIONAL STANDARDS20
8-83-1001. Definitions. A
S USED IN THIS PART 10, UNLESS THE21
CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES :22
(1) "I
NTERNATIONAL STANDARD CLASSIFICATION OF EDUCATION "23
OR "ISCED" MEANS A COMPREHENSIVE FRAMEWORK FOR ORGANIZING24
EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMS THAT APPLIES UNIFORM AND25
INTERNATIONALLY AGREED -UPON CLASSIFICATIONS TO FACILITATE26
COMPARISONS OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMS ACROSS27
143
-9- COUNTRIES.1
(2) "O
FFICE" MEANS THE OFFICE OF FUTURE OF WORK CREATED IN2
SECTION 8-15.8-103.3
8-83-1002. Apprenticeship program alignment with4
international standards. (1) B
EGINNING JANUARY 1, 2026, AND
5
ANNUALLY THEREAFTER , THE OFFICE, IN COORDINATION WITH THE6
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION , THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION ,7
THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT , AND THE CAREER AND8
TECHNICAL EDUCATION DIVISION WITHIN THE COLORADO COMMUNITY9
COLLEGE SYSTEM, SHALL COLLABORATE WITH THE STATE APPRENTICESHIP10
AGENCY TO DETERMINE ISCED EQUIVALENCY LEVELS FOR EACH11
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM REGISTERED ON OR AFTER JULY 31, 2025. IN12
MAKING ISCED EQUIVALENCY LEVEL DETERMINATIONS , THE OFFICE13
SHALL:14
(a) A
PPLY THE PROCESS RECOMMENDED PURSUANT TO SECTION15
23-5-145.8 (3)(b);
AND16
(b) R
EQUIRE POSTING OF THE DETERMINED ISCED LEVEL17
ALONGSIDE THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM ON ALL ISSUED18
APPRENTICESHIP CERTIFICATES OF COMPLETION AND IN ALL PUBLIC19
LISTINGS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE ELIGIBLE TRAINING20
PROVIDER LISTS DISSEMINATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND21
EMPLOYMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 8-83-225 (1)(c) AND THE COLORADO22
STATE APPRENTICESHIP RESOURCE DIRECTORY CREATED PURSUANT TO23
SECTION 8-83-308.24
(2) O
N OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2027,
THE OFFICE SHALL25
DETERMINE ISCED EQUIVALENCY LEVELS FOR EACH APPRENTICESHIP26
PROGRAM REGISTERED BEFORE JULY 31, 2025. AFTER MAKING ISCED27
143
-10- EQUIVALENCY LEVEL DETERMINATIONS , THE OFFICE SHALL REQUIRE1
POSTING OF THE DETERMINED ISCED LEVEL ALONGSIDE THE2
APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM ON ALL ISSU ED APPRENTICESHIP CERTIFICATES3
OF COMPLETION AND IN ALL PUBLIC LISTINGS , INCLUDING, BUT NOT4
LIMITED TO, THE ELIGIBLE TRAINING PROVIDER LISTS DISSEMINATED BY5
THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION6
8-83-225 (1)(c)
AND THE COLORADO STATE APPRENTICESHIP RESOURCE7
DIRECTORY CREATED PURSUANT TO SECTION 8-83-308.8
SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-54-138, amend9
(3)(a) as follows:10
22-54-138. Career development success program - created -11
funding - report - legislative declaration - definitions - repeal.12
(3) (a) On or before August 15, 2016, and on or before July 1 each year13
thereafter, the work force development council, in collaboration with the14
department of higher education, the department of education, the15
department of labor and employment, the Colorado community college16
system, and the Colorado office of economic development, shall publish17
on the council's website a list of the qualified industry-credential18
programs and qualified workplace training programs
THAT MEET THE19
QUALITY STANDARDS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 23-5-145.8 (2)(c)20
for that school year. At least annually, the council and its partners shall21
identify and review the qualified industry-credential programs and22
qualified workplace training programs by identifying the jobs included in23
the Colorado talent report, prepared pursuant to section 24-46.3-103, with24
the greatest regional and state demand, including high-skill, high-wage25
jobs in in-demand industries, and, after consultation with relevant26
industries, identifying the programs that have labor market value and are27
143
-11- likely to lead to the identified jobs. Any programs that the council1
determines do not demonstrate labor market value may be removed from2
the council's website.3
SECTION 5. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 23-5-145.6, add (4.5)4
as follows:5
23-5-145.6. Opportunities for credential attainment - fund -6
report - definitions - repeal. (4.5) T
HE STACKABLE CREDENTIAL7
PATHWAYS MUST MEET THE QUALITY STANDARDS REQUIRED PURS UANT TO8
SECTION 23-5-145.8 (2)(c).9
SECTION 6. Appropriation. (1) For the 2024-25 state fiscal
10
year, $124,287 is appropriated to the department of higher education for11
use by the Colorado commission on higher education and higher12
education special purpose programs. This appropriation is from the13
general fund and is based on an assumption that the commission will14
require an additional 1.2 FTE. To implement this act, the office may use15
this appropriation for S.B. 22-192 development and implementation of16
stackable credentials.17
(2) For the 2024-25 state fiscal year, $30,000 is appropriated to18
the department of labor and employment for use by the office of future of19
work. This appropriation is from the general fund. To implement this act,20
the office may use this appropriation for program costs.21
SECTION 7. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act22
takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the23
ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly; except24
that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V25
of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this26
act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take27
143
-12- effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in1
November 2024 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the2
official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.3
143
-13-