First Regular Session
Seventy-fifth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
REENGROSSED
This Version Includes All Amendments
Adopted in the House of Introduction
LLS NO. 25-0734.01 Alana Rosen x2606
HOUSE BILL 25-1186
House Committees Senate Committees
Education
Appropriations
A BILL FOR AN ACT
C
ONCERNING EXPANDING WORK -BASED LEARNING EXPERIENCES IN101
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 creates the work-based learning consortium pilot program
(pilot program) in the department of higher education (department). The
purpose of the pilot program is to develop and expand the integration of
work-based learning experiences for students enrolled in higher
education.
On or before July 1, 2026, or within 90 days after the department
HOUSE
3rd Reading Unamended
April 30, 2025
HOUSE
Amended 2nd Reading
April 29, 2025
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Martinez and Lukens, Bacon, Bird, Boesenecker, Brown, Camacho, Clifford, Duran,
English, Gonzalez R., Hamrick, Lieder, Lindsay, Marshall, Mauro, McCluskie, McCormick,
Phillips, Rydin, Smith, Stewart K., Story, Titone, Zokaie
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Rich and Michaelson Jenet,
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. receives sufficient funding, the department shall convene a consortium
consisting of a group of representatives from institutions of higher
education to:
! Share best practices on improving access to quality
work-based learning opportunities for students;
! Help participating institutions of higher education meet
workforce needs in Colorado and connect academic
learning with real-world experiences through career
preparation and skill development for students; and
! Make recommendations to the general assembly and
institutions of higher education on the best practices.
Subject to available appropriations, at the end of the 3-year pilot
program, the consortium shall complete and submit a report to the
education committees of the house of representatives and the senate, or
their successor committees. The report must include:
! A description of the consortium's findings and
recommendations;
! Details on the consortium's impacts on participating
institutions of higher education and the effects of creating
additional work-based learning activities on students,
faculty, and employers; and
! Recommendations for statutory changes, financial
resources, department policy changes, and institution of
higher education policy changes necessary to improve
successful work-based learning opportunities for students
in institutions of higher education.
Funds appropriated to the commission on higher education
(commission) may be used by the commission to cover the costs of
work-based learning requirements for students who are required to
complete credit-bearing work-based learning requirements to graduate
from an institution of higher education.
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) Colorado has continued to improve access to high-quality4
work-based learning through the creation of tools like the work-based5
learning continuum, work-based learning quality expectations, and the6
talent development glossary;7
1186-2- (b) The Colorado department of higher education and the1
Colorado commission on higher education find that work-based learning2
opportunities significantly enhance a student's exposure to the workforce3
and empower students with the skills necessary to succeed in a rapidly4
evolving economy; and5
(c) The Colorado department of higher education and the6
Colorado commission on higher education find that work-based learning7
opportunities are a critical element of postsecondary success and blur the8
lines between K-12 education, postsecondary education, and the9
workplace in all fields;10
(2) The general assembly finds, therefore, that Colorado's learners11
and earners will be well-served by the expansion of work-based learning12
opportunities that are strategically developed, monitored, and13
continuously improved, and function as a part of an intentionally designed14
and managed effort among institutions of higher education, program15
design experts, workforce development and economic experts, and16
industry leaders, particularly industry leader employers in high-demand17
fields.18
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add article 82 to title19
23 as follows:20
ARTICLE 8221
Work-based Learning Consortium22
Pilot Program23
23-82-101. Definitions. AS USED IN THIS ARTICLE 82, UNLESS THE24
CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES :25
(1) "CONSORTIUM" MEANS THE WORK-BASED LEARNING26
CONSORTIUM CONVENED PURSUANT TO SECTION 23-82-102 (2)(a).27
1186
-3- (2) "DEPARTMENT" MEANS THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER1
EDUCATION CREATED AND EXISTING PURSUANT TO SECTION 24-1-114.2
(3) "FUND" MEANS THE HIGHER EDUCATION WORK -BASED3
LEARNING CONSORTIUM FUND .4
(4) "INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION " MEANS:5
(a) A STATE INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION, AS DEFINED IN6
SECTION 23-18-102, OR AN ACCREDITED CAMPUS OF A STATE INSTITUTION7
OF HIGHER EDUCATION;8
(b) A PARTICIPATING PRIVATE INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION,9
AS DEFINED IN SECTION 23-18-102;10
(c) A LOCAL DISTRICT COLLEGE, AS DEFINED IN SECTION11
23-71-102; AND12
(d) AN AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE , AS DEFINED IN SECTION13
23-60-103.14
(5) "INDUSTRY-SPONSORED PROJECTS" MEANS PROJECTS THAT15
CREATE A HIGH-QUALITY OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS IN WHICH THE16
WORK-BASED LEARNING CONTENT WILL ENHANCE EDUCATIONAL17
LEARNING OBJECTS OF THE PROJECT AND COURSES TO WHICH THE PROJECT18
IS APPLIED. "INDUSTRY-SPONSORED PROJECTS" ARE A TYPE OF19
WORK-BASED LEARNING.20
(6) "PILOT PROGRAM" MEANS THE WORK-BASED LEARNING21
CONSORTIUM PILOT PROGRAM CREATED IN SECTION 23-82-102 (1).22
(7) "WORK-BASED LEARNING" HAS THE SAME MEANING AS SET23
FORTH IN SECTION 8-83-601.24
23-82-102. Work-based learning consortium pilot program -25
created - duties - repeal. (1) THE WORK-BASED LEARNING CONSORTIUM26
PILOT PROGRAM IS CREATED IN THE DEPARTMENT . UPON RECEIVING27
1186
-4- SUFFICIENT FUNDS AS DESCRIBED IN SECTION 23-82-104 (1), THE1
DEPARTMENT SHALL ESTABLISH, IMPLEMENT, MANAGE, AND MAINTAIN2
THE WORK-BASED LEARNING CONSORTIUM PILOT PROGRAM .3
(2) THE PURPOSE OF THE PILOT PROGRAM IS TO:4
(a) DEMONSTRATE THE VALUE OF WORK-BASED LEARNING IN5
POSTSECONDARY CURRICULA BY STUDYING THE IMPACT OF6
INDUSTRY-SPONSORED PROJECTS ON COURSE OBJECTIVES AND LEARNING7
OUTCOMES;8
(b) PROMOTE THE ADOPTION OF WORK-BASED LEARNING IN HIGHER9
EDUCATION BY WORKING WITH FACULTY AT PARTICIPATING INSTITUTIONS10
OF HIGHER EDUCATION TO EMBED PROJECT -BASED LEARNING11
OPPORTUNITIES INTO CREDIT-BEARING PROGRAMS;12
(c) PROVIDE BROADER ACCESS TO COLLEGIATE WORK-BASED13
LEARNING FOR STUDENTS;14
(d) MEASURE THE IMPACT OF WORK -BASED LEARNING ON15
PARTICIPATING STUDENTS; AND16
(e) LEARN HOW INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION CAN17
INCREASE THE VALUE OF POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION THROUGH CAREER18
EXPOSURE AND PREPAREDNESS .19
(3) (a) PENDING THE RECEIPT OF SUFFICIENT FUNDS , THE20
DEPARTMENT SHALL CONVENE A CONSORTIUM OF THE FOLLOWING21
REPRESENTATIVES AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION :22
(I) AT LEAST THREE REPRESENTATIVES FROM EACH PARTICIPATING23
INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION, WHO MAY BE PARTICIPATING24
FACULTY MEMBERS, LEADERS FROM A CAREER CENTER, CHIEF ACADEMIC25
OFFICERS, OR PROVOSTS;26
(II) A MEMBER FROM THE COLORADO COMMISSION ON HIGHER27
1186
-5- EDUCATION;1
(III) MEMBERS OF THE COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND2
EMPLOYMENT;3
(IV) A MEMBER OF THE COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION;4
AND5
(V) A LOCAL OR NATIONAL SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT WITH6
EXPERIENCE IMPLEMENTING WORK -BASED LEARNING.7
(b) THE CONSORTIUM SHALL MEET FOR THREE YEARS AFTER THE8
EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SECTION.9
(c) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL SELECT THE PARTICIPATING10
INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (3)(a) OF11
THIS SECTION BASED ON AVAILABLE FUNDING AND OTHER CRITERIA12
ESTABLISHED BY THE DEPARTMENT .13
(d) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL WORK WITH THE COLORADO14
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT AND THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC15
DEVELOPMENT, AS RELEVANT SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS, TO FACILITATE16
EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT AND TO PROMOTE INDUSTRY-SPONSORED17
PROJECTS.18
(e) THE MEMBERS OF THE CONSORTIUM SERVE WITHOUT19
COMPENSATION AND WITHOUT REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENSES .20
(f) SUBJECT TO AVAILABLE FUNDING, FACULTY PARTICIPANTS21
FROM PARTICIPATING INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION MAY RECEIVE22
A STIPEND FROM THE FUND.23
(4) THE CONSORTIUM SHALL:24
(a) WORK WITH EACH PARTICIPATING INSTITUTION OF HIGHER25
EDUCATION'S FACULTY TO EMBED INDUSTRY-SPONSORED PROJECTS IN26
COURSE CURRICULUM THAT MEET THE WORK-BASED LEARNING QUALITY27
1186
-6- STANDARDS ESTABLISHED PURSUANT TO SECTION 8-83-602 (5);1
(b) WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENT TO DETERMINE THE IMPACT OF2
INDUSTRY-SPONSORED PROJECTS;3
(c) WORK WITH A THIRD-PARTY PLATFORM TO CONNECT FACULTY4
FROM PARTICIPATING INSTITUTIONS TO EMPLOYERS FOR THE PURPOSE OF5
DEVELOPING HIGH-QUALITY PROJECT-BASED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES6
FOR CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION ;7
(d) ADVISE THE COLORADO COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION8
ON STRATEGIES TO IMPROVE STUDENT ACCESS TO HIGH -QUALITY,9
WORK-BASED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS BASED ON10
PARTICIPATING FACULTY MEMBERS ' EXPERIENCE EMBEDDING11
INDUSTRY-SPONSORED PROJECTS INTO CURRICULUM ;12
(e) DEVELOP BEST PRACTICES FOR INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER13
EDUCATION TO EXPAND ACCESS TO WORK -BASED LEARNING IN THE14
CLASSROOM THROUGH INDUSTRY -SPONSORED PROJECTS; AND15
(f) DEVELOP FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS BASED ON THE16
CONSORTIUM'S DUTIES DESCRIBED IN THIS SUBSECTION (4).17
(5) THE THIRD-PARTY PLATFORM DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (4)(c)18
OF THIS SECTION MUST:19
(a) WORK, AS NECESSARY, WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND20
EMPLOYMENT, INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATIONS' CAREER SERVICES21
AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TEAMS, THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC22
DEVELOPMENT, AND THE DEPARTMENT TO RECRUIT INDUSTRIES TO23
PARTICIPATE IN INDUSTRY-SPONSORED PROJECTS;24
(b) WORK WITH EACH PARTICIPATING INSTITUTION OF HIGHER25
EDUCATION'S FACULTY TO SUPPORT THEIR WORK ALIGNING26
INDUSTRY-SPONSORED PROJECTS WITH EXISTING CONTENT AND27
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-7- CURRICULA, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO:1
(I) USING MODELS TAILORED TO DIFFERENT DISCIPLINES,2
STUDENT-TEAM COLLABORATION FRAMEWORKS, INCLUDING PROJECT3
GUIDELINES AND EXPECTATIONS AND FACULTY -INTEGRATED4
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING MODELS ;5
(II) PARTNERING WITH EACH PARTICIPATING INSTITUTION OF6
HIGHER EDUCATION'S CAREER SERVICES OR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT7
TEAM AND FACULTY AND STAFF TO DEVELOP A STRATEGY TO GROW THEIR8
INDUSTRY AND EMPLOYER NETWORKS ;9
(III) WORKING WITH PARTICIPATING INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER10
EDUCATION TO DEVELOP NEW EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT STRATEGIES TO11
EXPAND INDUSTRY COLLABORATION ;12
(IV) PROVIDING AN ONLINE PLATFORM FOR STRUCTURED13
WORK-BASED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES , INCLUDING14
INDUSTRY-SPONSORED PROJECTS THAT ARE SHARED WITH PARTICIPATING15
INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION;16
(V) PROVIDING PROJECT-BASED LEARNING MODELS TO SUPPORT17
PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT ;18
(VI) PROVIDING RELEVANT DATA REGARDING THE EFFECTIVENESS19
OF THE PILOT PROGRAM AND ITS IMPACT; AND20
(VII) PROVIDING INSTITUTIONAL SUPPORT AND TRAINING,21
INCLUDING SUPPORT FOR FACULTY THROUGH TRAINING WORKSHOPS ON22
INTEGRATING EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING INTO CURRICULA; A CUSTOM23
CONSORTIUM DASHBOARD FOR TRACKING PROJECTS, STUDENT PROGRESS,24
AND INSTITUTIONAL ENGAGEMENT; BEST PRACTICE GUIDES FOR SCALING25
ACROSS PROGRAMS AND DEPARTMENTS; AND A RESOURCE HUB WITH CASE26
STUDIES.27
1186
-8- (6) (a) NO LATER THAN THREE YEARS AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE1
OF THIS SECTION, THE CONSORTIUM SHALL COMPLETE AND SUBMIT A2
REPORT TO THE EDUCATION COMMITTEES OF THE HOUSE OF3
REPRESENTATIVES AND THE SENATE, OR THEIR SUCCESSOR COMMITTEES,4
ON THE FOLLOWING:5
(I) A DESCRIPTION OF THE CONSORTIUM 'S FINDINGS AND6
RECOMMENDATIONS DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (4)(f) OF THIS SECTION;7
(II) THE DETAILS OF THE CONSORTIUM'S IMPACTS ON8
PARTICIPATING INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND THE EFFECTS OF9
CREATING ADDITIONAL WORK-BASED LEARNING ACTIVITIES ON STUDENTS,10
FACULTY, AND EMPLOYERS; AND11
(III) RECOMMENDATIO NS FOR STATUTORY CHANGES , FINANCIAL12
RESOURCES, DEPARTMENT POLICY CHANGES, AND INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER13
EDUCATION POLICY CHANGES NECESSARY TO IMPROVE SUCCESSFUL14
WORK-BASED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS ENROLLED IN15
INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.16
(b) THIS SUBSECTION (6) IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE JUNE 30, 2031.17
23-82-103. Higher education work-based consortium fund -18
gifts, grants, and donations. (1) THE DEPARTMENT MAY SEEK, ACCEPT,19
AND EXPEND GIFTS, GRANTS, OR DONATIONS FROM PRIVATE OR PUBLIC20
SOURCES FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE 82. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL21
TRANSMIT ALL MONEY RECEIVED THROUGH GIFTS , GRANTS, OR DONATIONS22
TO THE STATE TREASURER, WHO SHALL CREDIT THE MONEY TO THE HIGHER23
EDUCATION WORK-BASED LEARNING CONSORTIUM FUND CREATED IN THIS24
SECTION.25
(2) THE DEPARTMENT MAY ACCEPT DONATIONS OF IN-KIND26
SERVICES FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION, INCLUDING FOR TECHNICAL27
1186
-9- ASSISTANCE.1
(3) THE HIGHER EDUCATION WORK-BASED LEARNING CONSORTIUM2
FUND IS CREATED IN THE STATE TREASURY. THE FUND CONSISTS OF GIFTS,3
GRANTS, AND DONATIONS CREDITED TO THE FUND PURSUANT TO4
SUBSECTION (1) OF THIS SECTION AND ANY OTHER MONEY THAT THE5
GENERAL ASSEMBLY MAY APPROPRIATE OR TRANSFER TO THE FUND. THE6
STATE TREASURER SHALL CREDIT ALL INTEREST AND INCOME DERIVED7
FROM THE DEPOSIT AND INVESTMENT OF MONEY IN THE FUND TO THE8
FUND.9
(4) MONEY IN THE FUND IS CONTINUOUSLY APPROPRIATED TO THE10
DEPARTMENT FOR PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE 82.11
(5) (a) IF, BY JUNE 30, 2028, THE MONEY IN THE FUND HAS NEVER12
REACHED OR EXCEEDED TWO MILLION DOLLARS, THE STATE TREASURER13
SHALL RETURN EACH GRANTOR'S OR DONOR'S GIFT, GRANT, OR DONATION.14
(b) IF SECTION 23-82-102 TAKES EFFECT PURSUANT TO SECTION15
23-82-104 (1), ON THE DAY PRIOR TO THE REPEAL OF THE FUND THREE16
YEARS LATER PURSUANT TO SECTION 23-82-104 (2), THE STATE17
TREASURER SHALL RETURN FROM THE FUND TO EACH GRANTOR OR DONOR18
THE MONEY REMAINING IN THE FUND IN AN AMOUNT THAT IS19
PROPORTIONAL TO THE GRANTOR'S OR DONOR'S SHARE OF THE TOTAL20
AMOUNT OF GIFTS, GRANTS, OR DONATIONS DEPOSITED TO THE FUND .21
(c) IF ANY MONEY REMAINS IN THE FUND AFTER THE STATE22
TREASURER RETURNS MONEY TO DONORS OR GRANTORS AS DESCRIBED IN23
SUBSECTION (5)(a) OR (5)(b) OF THIS SECTION, AS APPLICABLE, THE STATE24
TREASURER SHALL, PRIOR TO THE REPEAL OF THE FUND, TRANSFER ALL25
UNEXPENDED AND UNENCUMBERED MONEY IN THE FUND TO THE GENERAL26
FUND.27
1186
-10- 23-82-104. Effective dates - repeal of part - notice to revisor of1
statutes. (1) SECTION 23-82-102 WILL TAKE EFFECT IF THE FUND2
RECEIVES TWO MILLION DOLLARS IN GIFTS, GRANTS, OR DONATIONS FOR3
PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE 82. THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE4
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION SHALL NOTIFY THE REVISOR OF5
STATUTES IN WRITING OF THE DATE WHEN THE CONDITION SPECIFIED IN6
THIS SECTION HAS OCCURRED BY EMAILING THE NOTICE TO7
REVISOROFSTATUTES.GA@COLEG.GOV. SECTION 23-82-102 TAKES EFFECT8
UPON THE DATE IDENTIFIED IN THE NOTICE THAT THE DEPARTMENT9
RECEIVES TWO MILLION DOLLARS IN GIFTS , GRANTS, OR DONATIONS FOR10
PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION OR, IF THE NOTICE DOES NOT SPECIFY THAT11
DATE, UPON THE DATE OF THE NOTICE TO THE REVISOR OF STATUTES .12
(2) THIS ARTICLE 82 IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2031;13
EXCEPT THAT, IF THE REVISOR OF STATUTES RECEIVES NOTICE PURSUANT14
TO THIS SECTION, THEN THIS ARTICLE 82 IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE THREE15
YEARS AFTER SECTION 23-82-102 TAKES EFFECT.16
SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add article 83 to title17
23 as follows:18
ARTICLE 8319
Collegiate Work-based Learning20
23-83-101. Definitions. AS USED IN THIS ARTICLE 83, UNLESS THE21
CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES :22
(1) "COMMISSION" HAS THE SAME MEANING AS SET FORTH IN23
SECTION 23-1-101.1.24
(2) "DEPARTMENT" MEANS THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER25
EDUCATION CREATED AND EXISTING PURSUANT TO SECTION 24-1-114.26
1186
-11- (3) "INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION " MEANS:1
(a) A STATE INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION, AS DEFINED IN2
SECTION 23-18-102, OR AN ACCREDITED CAMPUS OF A STATE INSTITUTION3
OF HIGHER EDUCATION;4
(b) A PARTICIPATING PRIVATE INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION,5
AS DEFINED IN SECTION 23-18-102;6
(c) A LOCAL DISTRICT COLLEGE, AS DEFINED IN SECTION7
23-71-102; AND8
(d) AN AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE , AS DEFINED IN SECTION9
23-60-103.10
(4) "TALENT DEVELOPMENT GLOSSARY" MEANS A TOOL CREATED11
AND MAINTAINED BY THE COLORADO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT12
COUNCIL TO DEFINE TERMS RELATED TO TALENT DEVELOPMENT .13
(5) "WORK-BASED LEARNING" HAS THE SAME MEANING AS SET14
FORTH IN SECTION 8-83-601.15
(6) "WORK-BASED LEARNING QUALITY EXPECTATIONS " MEANS THE16
TOOL CREATED PURSUANT TO SECTION 8-83-602 (5) THAT DESCRIBES A17
VARIETY OF STRATEGIES TO OFFER LEARNERS EXPERIENTIAL ,18
CAREER-CONNECTED OPPORTUNITIES. THE ACTIVITIES PROMOTE LEARNING19
ABOUT WORK, LEARNING THROUGH WORK , AND LEARNING AT WORK.20
23-83-102. Collegiate work-based learning - talent21
development glossary. (1) ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 1, 2026, THE22
COMMISSION SHALL RECOMMEND A LIST OF TERMS USED BY INSTITUTIONS23
OF HIGHER EDUCATION RELATED TO WORK -BASED LEARNING TO THE24
COLORADO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL FOR INCLUSION IN THE25
TALENT DEVELOPMENT GLOSSARY .26
(2) THE PURPOSE OF THE LIST OF TERMS IS TO:27
1186
-12- (a) AUGMENT THE TALENT DEVELOPMENT GLOSSARY SO THAT1
COLLEGIATE WORK-BASED LEARNING ACTIVITIES ARE ACCURATELY2
REFLECTED IN STATEWIDE EFFORTS TO PROMOTE WORK -BASED LEARNING;3
AND4
(b) DEMONSTRATE TO INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION5
RELEVANT OPPORTUNITIES TO PARTICIPATE IN STATEWIDE EFFORTS TO6
PROMOTE WORK-BASED LEARNING.7
(3) THE LIST OF TERMS MUST BE DEVELOPED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH8
THE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION, THE COLORADO WORKFORCE9
DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, AND INSTITUTIONAL10
FACULTY WITH EXPERIENCE DEVELOPING COLLEGIATE WORK -BASED11
LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES.12
(4) (a) ON OR BEFORE JULY 1, 2026, THE COMMISSION SHALL WORK13
WITH INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION; THE COLORADO WORKFORCE14
DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL; THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ; THE15
CONSORTIUM CREATED PURSUANT TO SECTION 23-82-102 (3)(a), IF16
SECTION 23-82-102 BECOMES EFFECTIVE PURSUANT TO SECTION 23-82-10417
(1); NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS; INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS ; AND18
BUSINESSES TO DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW TO BEST EMBED19
WORK-BASED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES INTO CURRENT DEGREE20
PATHWAYS.21
(b) THE RECOMMENDATIONS DESCRIBED IN SUBSECTION (4)(a) OF22
THIS SECTION MUST BE USED TO INFORM THE REVIEW AND REVISION OF23
WORK-BASED LEARNING QUALITY EXPECTATIONS SET FORTH IN SECTION24
8-83-602 (5).25
(5) ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 2026, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL26
WORK IN COLLABORATION WITH INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION TO27
1186
-13- IDENTIFY WHICH WORK-BASED LEARNING ACTIVITIES ARE MEASURABLE1
AND HOW TO BEST REPORT WORK-BASED LEARNING ACTIVITIES BY2
CONSIDERING THE APPROPRIATE DATA STANDARDS, METHODOLOGY OF3
DATA COLLECTION, AND THE FREQUENCY OF REPORTING .4
SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 23-3.3-401, amend5
(1); and add (4) as follows:6
23-3.3-401. Work-study program established - requirements.7
(1) The commission shall use a portion of any moneys MONEY remaining8
after meeting the requirements of THIS PART 4 AND parts 2 and 3 of this9
article ARTICLE 3.3 to provide a work-study program of employment of10
qualifying students in good standing with the institution in which they are11
enrolled in positions that are directly under the control of the institution12
in which the student is enrolled or in positions with nonprofit13
organizations, governmental agencies, or for-profit organizations with14
which the institution may execute student employment contracts. 15
(4) INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION THAT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR16
THE WORK-STUDY PROGRAM MAY USE WORK-STUDY PROGRAM MONEY TO17
COVER THE COSTS OF WORK-BASED LEARNING CREDITS FOR STUDENTS18
WHO ARE REQUIRED TO COMPLETE CREDIT-BEARING WORK-BASED19
LEARNING REQUIREMENTS TO GRADUATE FROM AN INSTITUTION OF20
HIGHER EDUCATION. FUNDING USED FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS21
SUBSECTION (4) IS EXEMPT FROM THE REQUIREMENTS TO USE A STUDENT22
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT .23
SECTION 5. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-48.5-502, amend24
(3)(c), (3)(d), and (3)(f) as follows:25
24-48.5-502. Universal high school scholarship program -26
established - administration - cash fund - eligibility. (3) (c) The state27
1186
-14- treasurer shall transfer all unexpended and unencumbered money in the1
cash fund on December 30, 2026 JUNE 30, 2027, to the general fund.2
(d) For state fiscal year 2023-24, the general assembly shall3
appropriate twenty-five million dollars from the cash fund for the4
program. Any unexpended or unencumbered money appropriated5
pursuant to this subsection (3)(d) remains available for expenditure for6
the same purpose in the 2024-25 2025-26 state fiscal year without further7
appropriation. Except as otherwise permitted in this subsection (3), the8
office shall use the money for scholarship awards.9
(f) The office may, on or before December 31, 2023, allocate10
money from the program appropriation for the direct and indirect costs11
associated with the administration of the program; except that12
expenditures for administrative costs shall not exceed six percent of the13
total appropriation. The office shall use the money described in this14
subsection (3)(f) that was not allocated for administrative costs on or15
before December 31, 2023, for scholarship awards. EXPENDITURES FOR16
THE ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS OF THE PROGRAM MUST NOT EXCEED ONE17
MILLION FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS .18
SECTION 6. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 24-48.5-50619
as follows:20
24-48.5-506. Repeal of part. This part 5 is repealed, effective21
December 31, 2026 JULY 1, 2027.22
SECTION 7. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act23
takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the24
ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly; except25
that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article26
V of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of27
1186
-15- this act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not1
take effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be2
held in November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of3
the official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.4
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