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. 24-0660.01 Chelsea Princell x4335
SENATE BILL 24-164
Senate Committees House Committees
Education
A BILL FOR AN ACT
C
ONCERNING TRANSPARENCY REQUIREM ENTS FOR INSTITUTIONS OF101
HIGHER EDUCATION.102
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
.)
The bill adds the following rights to the rights of higher education
students:
! Cost transparency regarding a postsecondary education
program;
! A timely response on whether transfer credit will be
accepted by a public institution of higher education
SENATE
Amended 2nd Reading
April 9, 2024
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Buckner and Lundeen,
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
McCluskie and Pugliese,
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. (institution); and
! The right to appeal an institution's decision not to accept a
student's request to transfer credits.
The bill makes changes to the statewide common course
numbering system to guarantee certain course transfer credits between
community colleges, local district colleges, and area technical colleges.
The bill requires the department of higher edcation to establish an
appeal process if an institution wrongfully denies a student's transfer
credit.
The bill requires an institution to issue a decision to a student
regarding the acceptance or denial of transfer credits within 30 days after
the date the student submits a request for transfer credit.
Beginning January 1, 2025, the bill requires an institution to
provide a financial aid and cost disclosure form to a student prior to the
student decision deadline to accept admission to the institution.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 23-1-125, amend (1)
2
introductory portion; and add (1)(h), (1)(i), (1)(j), (1)(k), (1.5), and (6) as3
follows:4
23-1-125. Commission directive - student bill of rights - degree5
requirements - implementation of core courses - competency test -6
prior learning - prior work-related experience - policies - definitions7
- repeal. (1) Student bill of rights. The general assembly hereby finds8
that students enrolled in public institutions of higher education shall AND9
STUDENTS WHO ARE ACCEPTED TO AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION10
have the following rights:11
(h) S
TUDENTS HAVE A RIGHT TO TRANSPARENCY OF THE COST OF
12
POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION PROGRAMS , INCLUDING INFORMATION ON13
FEES, ASSOCIATED EXPENSES, AND FINANCIAL AID IN THE FORM OF14
SCHOLARSHIPS, GRANTS, AND LOANS;15
(i) S
TUDENTS HAVE THE RIGHT TO SEAMLESS TRANSFER OF
16
COURSES IN THE GUARANTEED TRANSFER PATHWAY MATRIX ,17
164-2- TRANSPARENCY IN THE PROCESS FOR TRANSFERRING CREDITS , A TIMELY1
RESPONSE ON APPLICATIONS FOR TRANSFERRING CREDITS , AND2
TRANSPARENCY IN HOW AND WHY A CREDIT IS ACCEPTED OR REJECTED BY3
AN INSTITUTION AND HOW AND WHY A CREDIT IS OR IS NOT APPLIED4
TOWARD DEGREE REQUIREMENTS ;5
(j) S
TUDENTS HAVE THE RIGHT TO APPEAL AN INSTITUTION 'S
6
FAILURE TO ACCEPT THE STUDENT'S REQUEST FOR TRANSFER CREDIT; AND7
(k) S
TUDENTS HAVE THE RIGHT TO KNOW WHAT WORK -RELATED
8
EXPERIENCES OR PRIOR LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES ARE AWARDED9
POSTSECONDARY ACADEMIC CREDIT AT THE INSTITUTION IN WHICH THE10
STUDENT IS ENROLLED, PURSUANT TO SECTION 23-5-145.5.11
(1.5) Policies. O
N OR BEFORE APRIL 1, 2025, THE COMMISSION
12
SHALL ADOPT POLICIES FOR PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION13
ON HOW TO BEST IMPLEMENT THE RIGHT DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (1)(i)14
OF THIS SECTION.15
(6) Definitions. A
S USED IN THIS SECTION, UNLESS THE CONTEXT
16
OTHERWISE REQUIRES:17
(a) "G
ENERAL EDUCATION COURSE " MEANS A LOWER-DIVISION
18
COURSE OFFERED BY AN INSTITUTION THAT ANY DEGREE -SEEKING19
STUDENT ENROLLED AT THE INSTITUTION MUST SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE20
IN ORDER TO OBTAIN AN ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE OR A BACHELOR'S DEGREE21
FROM THE INSTITUTION.22
(b) "G
UARANTEED TRANSFER PATHWAY MATRIX " MEANS A GROUP
23
OF GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES OR LOWER -DIVISION COURSES REQUIRED24
FOR A SPECIFIC PROGRAM AT THE INSTITUTION THAT EVERY STUDENT25
ENROLLED IN THE SPECIFIC PROGRAM AT THE INSTITUTION MUST26
SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE IN ORDER TO TRANSFER TO OR FROM AN27
164
-3- INSTITUTION AND HAS EQUIVALENT LEARNING OUTCOMES AS THE SAME1
LEVEL OF COURSES OFFERED BY ANOTHER INSTITUTION .2
(c) "L
OWER-DIVISION COURSE" MEANS A COURSE NUMBERED FROM
3
ONE HUNDRED TO TWO HUNDRED OR ONE THOUSAND TO TWO THOUSAND4
NINETY-NINE.5
(d) "P
UBLIC INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION " OR
6
"
INSTITUTION" HAS THE SAME MEANING SET FORTH IN SECTION 23-4.5-102.
7
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 23-1-108.5, amend8
(1), (2)(c), (3)(a), (3)(b), (3)(c), (4), and (5); repeal (2)(b) and (2)(d); and9
add (2)(e), (2)(f), (2)(g), (3)(d.5), (3)(d.7), (6.5), and (8) as follows:10
23-1-108.5. Duties and powers of the commission with regard11
to common course numbering system - council of higher education12
representatives - rules - legislative declaration - definitions - repeal.13
(1) The general assembly hereby finds that, for many students, the ability14
to transfer among all state-supported institutions of higher education15
INSTITUTIONS is critical to their success in achieving a degree. The16
general assembly further finds that it is necessary for the state to have17
sound transfer policies that provide the broadest and simplest mechanisms18
feasible while protecting the academic quality of the institutions of higher19
education and their undergraduate degree programs. The general20
assembly finds, therefore, that it is in the best interests of the state for the21
commission to oversee the adoption of a statewide articulation matrix22
system of course numbering for general education courses THE23
GUARANTEED TRANSFER PATHWAY MATRIX , that WHICH includes all24
state-supported institutions of higher education INSTITUTIONS and that25
will ensure that the quality of and requirements that pertain to general26
education courses THE GUARANTEED TRANSFER PATHWAY MATRIX27
164
-4- COURSES are comparable and transferable systemwide.1
(2) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:2
(b) "Course numbering system" means the statewide articulation3
matrix system of common course numbering for general education4
courses adopted by the commission pursuant to paragraph (c) of5
subsection (3) of this section.6
(c) "General education courses COURSE" means the group of7
courses offered by an institution of higher education that every student8
enrolled in the institution must successfully complete to attain an9
associate's or bachelor's degree A LOWER-DIVISION COURSE OFFERED BY10
AN INSTITUTION THAT ANY DEGREE-SEEKING STUDENT ENROLLED AT THE11
INSTITUTION MUST SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE IN ORDER TO OBTAIN AN12
ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE OR A BACHELOR'S DEGREE FROM THE INSTITUTION.13
(d) "Higher education institution" means a state-supported14
institution of higher education.15
(e) "G
UARANTEED TRANSFER PATHWAY MATRIX "MEANS A GROUP
16
OF GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES OR LOWER -DIVISION COURSES REQUIRED17
FOR A SPECIFIC PROGRAM AT THE INSTITUTION THAT EVERY STUDENT18
ENROLLED IN THE SPECIFIC PROGRAM AT THE INSTITUTION MUST19
SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE IN ORDER TO TRANSFER TO OR FROM AN20
INSTITUTION AND THAT HAS EQUIVALENT LEARNING OUTCOMES AS THE21
SAME LEVEL OF COURSES OFFERED BY ANOTHER INSTITUTION .22
(f) "H
IGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION" OR "INSTITUTION" MEANS
23
A PUBLIC INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION AS DEFINED IN SECTION24
23-4.5-102.25
(g) "L
OWER-DIVISION COURSE"MEANS A COURSE NUMBERED FROM
26
ONE HUNDRED TO TWO HUNDRED OR ONE THOUSAND TO TWO THOUSAND27
164
-5- NINETY-NINE.1
(d.5) O
N OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 2024, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL
2
ADD ADDITIONAL REPRESENTATIVES AS NECESSARY TO THE COUNCIL TO3
ENSURE EQUAL REPRESENTATION OF INSTITUTIONS ON THE COUNCIL .4
(d.7) O
N OR BEFORE OCTOBER 1, 2025, AND EVERY OCTOBER 1
5
THEREAFTER, THE COUNCIL SHALL REVIEW THE LIST OF COURSES IN THE6
GUARANTEED TRANSFER PATHWAY MATRIX AND MAKE7
RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COMMISSION AS NECESSARY TO MAKE8
CHANGES AND MAINTAIN ACCURACY . AS PART OF THE REVIEW, THE9
COUNCIL SHALL IDENTIFY:10
(I) T
HE HIGHEST ENROLLMENT AND TRANSFER ACTIVITY FOR
11
COURSES IN THE GUARANTEED TRANSFER PATHWAY MATRIX ;12
(II) C
OURSES THAT STUDENTS ARE LESS LIKELY TO RECEIVE FULL
13
CREDIT FOR THAT APPLY TOWARD THE STUDENT 'S CHOSEN ACADEMIC14
PROGRAM UPON TRANSFER ; AND15
(III) H
OW THE NUMBER OF CREDIT HOURS DIFFERS AMONG
16
INSTITUTIONS AND WHERE MISALIGNMENT OCCURS BETWEEN COURSES IN17
THE GUARANTEED TRANSFER PATHWAY MATRIX .18
(3) (a) On or before July 1, 2001, the commission shall convene19
a council consisting of representatives from each of the higher education20
governing boards and each of the four-year higher education institutions,21
a representative sample of the two-year higher education institutions, and22
a representative of the commission. The commission shall consult with23
the governing boards when convening representatives from the higher24
education institutions. By July 1, 2011, the council shall create a process25
through which it shall seek input from and consult with various higher26
education student organizations for each articulation agreement and for27
164
-6- the review of general education courses and the course numbering system1
as required in paragraph (c) of this subsection (3) COURSES IN THE2
GUARANTEED TRANSFER PATHWAY MATRIX AS REQUIRED IN SUBSECTION3
(3)(c)
OF THIS SECTION.
4
(b) The council shall recommend to the commission a statewide5
articulation matrix system of common course numbering GUARANTEED6
TRANSFER PATHWAY MATRIX to which the general education courses for7
each higher education institution may be mapped.8
(c) (I) On or before October 1, 2002, the council shall recommend9
to the commission a list of general education courses to be included in the10
course numbering system GUARANTEED TRANSFER PATHWAY MATRIX . In11
identifying said general education THE courses, the council shall review12
the course descriptions and may request summaries of course syllabi for13
review, focusing first on lower-division general education courses. The14
commission shall review the council's recommendations and adopt a15
statewide articulation matrix system of common course numbering16
GUARANTEED TRANSFER PATHWAY MATRIX for general education courses,17
including criteria for such THE courses, on or before January 1, 2003.18
(II) The council shall annually review the list of general education19
courses and the course numbering system GUARANTEED TRANSFER20
PATHWAY MATRIX, including the criteria, adopted by the commission and21
recommend such changes as may be necessary to maintain the accuracy22
and integrity of the course numbering system GUARANTEED TRANSFER23
PATHWAY MATRIX. The council's annual review shall MUST include24
consideration of the course descriptions, and the council may request25
summaries of course syllabi for further review.26
(4) (a) Following adoption of the course numbering system, each27
164
-7- higher education institution shall review its course offerings and identify1
those general education courses offered by the institution that correspond2
with the courses included in the course numbering system. The EACH3
higher education institution shall submit its list of identified courses
IN
4
THE GUARANTEED TRANSFER PATHWAY MATRIX , including course5
descriptions and, upon request of the commission, summaries of course6
syllabi, for review and approval by the commission on or before March7
1, 2003,
AND ON MARCH 1 OF EACH ODD-NUMBERED YEAR THEREAFTER .
8
(b) Beginning with the fall semester of 2003, each higher9
education institution shall publish, and update as necessary, a list of10
course offerings that identifies those general education courses offered by11
the institution that correspond with the courses included in the course12
numbering system GUARANTEED TRANSFER PATHWAY MATRIX .13
(5) (a) All credits earned by a student in any general education14
course identified as corresponding with a course included in the course15
numbering system shall be THE GUARANTEED TRANSFER PATHWAY16
MATRIX ARE automatically transferable among AND APPLICABLE TO THE17
STUDENT'S DECLARED MAJOR OR PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS . IF THE18
CREDITS EARNED BY A STUDENT CANNOT BE APPLIED TO THE STUDENT 'S19
DECLARED MAJOR OR PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS , THE CREDITS MUST BE20
USED TO FULFILL ANY REMAINING GENERAL ELECTIVE COURSE21
REQUIREMENTS NEEDED FOR THE STUDENT 'S MAJOR OR PROGRAM. IF A22
STUDENT CHANGES THE STUDENT 'S MAJOR OR DECLARED PROGRAM OF23
STUDY, THE APPLICATION OF TRANSFER CREDITS TO THE STUDENT 'S NEW24
MAJOR OR PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS MUST BE RE -EVALUATED. THIS25
REQUIREMENT APPLIES TO all higher education institutions upon transfer26
and enrollment of the student. All higher education institutions in27
164
-8- Colorado shall participate in the course numbering system GUARANTEED1
TRANSFER PATHWAY MATRIX . The commission shall adopt such policies2
and guidelines as may be necessary for the implementation of this section.3
Each
INSTITUTION'S governing board shall modify its existing policies as
4
may be necessary to accept the transfer of these credits.5
(b) A
LL COURSES IN THE GUARANTEED TRANSFER PATHWAY
6
MATRIX SYSTEM MUST QUALIFY AS THE SAME COURSE AT THE RECEIVING7
INSTITUTION, IRRESPECTIVE OF THE TOTAL CREDITS ASSIGNED TO THE8
COURSE.9
(c) A
RECEIVING INSTITUTION SHALL NOT REQUIRE A TRANSFER
10
STUDENT TO TAKE THE SAME OR SIMILAR COURSES WHO HAS COMPLETED11
THE REQUIRED COURSE IN THE GUARANTEED TRANSFER PATHWAY MATRIX ,12
REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE STUDENT EARNED AN ASSOCIATE 'S DEGREE13
PRIOR TO TRANSFER.14
(6.5) (a) N
OTWITHSTANDING SECTION 24-1-136 (11)(a)(I),
15
BEGINNING JANUARY 2026, AND EVERY JANUARY THEREAFTER , THE16
DEPARTMENT SHALL INCLUDE AS PART OF ITS "SMART ACT" HEARING,17
REQUIRED BY SECTION 2-7-203, A COMPILED REPORT OF INFORMATION18
RECEIVED FROM EACH HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION REGARDING19
COURSES IN THE GUARANTEED TRANSFER PATHWAY MATRIX THAT20
INCLUDES:21
(I) T
HE NUMBER OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS TRANSFERRING
22
TO THE INSTITUTION AND EACH INSTITUTION THAT A STUDENT IS23
TRANSFERRING FROM;24
(II) T
HE AVERAGE TIME NEEDED TO COMPLETE A BACHELOR 'S
25
DEGREE FOR A TRANSFER STUDENT COMPARED TO A NON -TRANSFER26
STUDENT;27
164
-9- (III) THE TOTAL NUMBER OF CREDITS ACCEPTED AND APPLIED1
RELATED TO GUARANTEED TRANSFER PATHWAY COURSES , GENERAL2
EDUCATION COURSES, AND OTHER COURSE EQUIVALENTS ; AND3
(IV) T
HE NUMBER OF CREDITS THAT WERE ACCEPTED AND NOT
4
ACCEPTED, AND THE NUMBER OF CREDITS THAT WERE APPLIED AND WERE5
NOT APPLIED TO EACH STUDENT 'S DEGREE PROGRAM COURSE6
REQUIREMENTS, AT THE TIME THE STUDENT INITIALLY TRANSFERRED TO7
THE INSTITUTION, DISAGGREGATED BY DEGREE PROGRAM .8
(b) U
SING EXISTING STATEWIDE DATA, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL
9
ALSO INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION FOR EACH INSTITUTION10
REGARDING THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF TRANSFER CREDITS EARNED AND THE11
TOTAL AMOUNT OF CREDITS APPLIED TOWARD DEGREE REQUIREMENTS IN12
THE REPORT REQUIRED IN SUBSECTION (6.5)(a) OF THIS SECTION:13
(I)
THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF CREDITS ATTEMPTED AND THE
14
NUMBER OF CREDITS EARNED TO OBTAIN A BACHELOR 'S DEGREE FOR A15
TRANSFER STUDENT COMPARED TO A STUDENT WHO DID NOT TRANSFER TO16
ANOTHER INSTITUTION BEFORE EARNING THE BACHELOR 'S DEGREE; AND17
(II)
THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF ACADEMIC TERMS NEEDED TO
18
COMPLETE A BACHELOR'S DEGREE FOR A TRANSFER STUDENT COMPARED19
TO A STUDENT WHO DID NOT TRANSFER TO ANOTHER INSTITUTION BEFORE20
EARNING THE BACHELOR'S DEGREE.21
(8) (a) T
HE DEPARTMENT HAS EXCLUSIVE AUTHORITY TO BRING AN
22
ENFORCEMENT ACTION ON BEHALF OF THE STATE AGAINST AN INSTITUTION23
FOR A VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION.24
(b) P
RIOR TO AN ENFORCEMENT ACTION PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION
25
(8)(a)
OF THIS SECTION, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ISSUE A NOTICE OF
26
VIOLATION TO THE INSTITUTION AND EXPLAIN HOW THE INSTITUTION MAY27
164
-10- REMEDY THE VIOLATION , IF POSSIBLE. IF THE INSTITUTION FAILS TO1
REMEDY THE VIOLATION WITHIN THREE MONTHS AFTER RECEIPT OF THE2
NOTICE OF VIOLATION, THE DEPARTMENT MAY BRING AN ENFORCEMENT3
ACTION AGAINST THE INSTITUTION.4
(c) T
HE DEPARTMENT HAS THE AUTHORITY TO OVERTURN A
5
COURSE TRANSFER DECISION MADE BY AN INSTITUTION REGARDING A6
COURSE IN THE GUARANTEED TRANSFER PATHWAY MATRIX THAT IS IN7
VIOLATION OF THIS SECTION.8
(d) A
STUDENT ENROLLED AT AN INSTITUTION MAY APPEAL AN
9
INSTITUTION'S DECISION REGARDING THE DENIAL OF CREDIT FOR COURSES10
IN THE GUARANTEED TRANSFER PATHWAY MATRIX THAT THE STUDENT11
SEEKS TO TRANSFER THROUGH AN APPEALS PROCESS ESTABLISHED BY THE12
DEPARTMENT.13
(e) T
HE DEPARTMENT MAY PROMULGATE RULES , PURSUANT TO
14
SECTION 24-4-103, AS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THIS SUBSECTION (8).15
SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 23-5-150 as16
follows:17
23-5-150. Transfer credit review process and nontransferable18
credit - notice - definition. (1) A
N INSTITUTION SHALL PROVIDE A
19
STUDENT SEEKING TO TRANSFER CREDIT FROM THE INSTITUTION WITH A20
DETERMINATION REGARDING THE ACCEPTANCE OR DENIAL OF THE21
STUDENT'S REQUEST AND REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION FOR TRANSFER22
CREDIT WITHIN THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE DATE THE STUDENT 'S OFFICIAL23
TRANSCRIPT AND ADMISSION APPLICATION MATERIALS ARE RECEIVED BY24
THE INSTITUTION.25
(2) A
N INSTITUTION SHALL PUBLISH THE INSTITUTION'S PROCESS
26
AND TIMELINE FOR REVIEWING AND MAKING A DECISION REGARDING27
164
-11- TRANSFER CREDIT REQUESTS ON THE INSTITUTION 'S WEBSITE. THE1
INSTITUTION SHALL UPDATE ITS WEBSITE WITHIN THIRTY DAYS AFTER2
MAKING A CHANGE TO ITS PROCESS AND TIMELINE FOR REVIEWING AND3
ISSUING DECISIONS REGARDING TRANSFER CREDIT REQUESTS .4
(3) A
S USED IN THIS SECTION, UNLESS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE
5
REQUIRES, "INSTITUTION" MEANS A "PUBLIC INSTITUTION OF HIGHER6
EDUCATION" AS DEFINED IN SECTION 23-4.5-102.7
SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 23-70-103, amend8
(3) as follows:9
23-70-103. Responsibility of governing boards of constituent10
institutions. (3) The respective governing boards of the constituent11
institutions shall provide ENSURE that credits earned at each of the12
constituent institutions shall be ARE transferable between institutions13
insofar as they meet the degree and grade requirements of the student's14
chosen program of studies at one of the constituent institutions as15
determined by the degree-granting institution AS REQUIRED BY SECTION16
23-1-108.5.17
SECTION 5. Safety clause. The general assembly finds,18
determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate19
preservation of the public peace, health, or safety or for appropriations for20
the support and maintenance of the departments of the state and state21
institutions.22
164
-12-