Colorado 2025 Regular Session

Colorado House Bill HB1221 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
	1	+	First Regular Session
	2	+	Seventy-fifth General Assembly
	3	+	STATE OF COLORADO
	4	+	REREVISED
	5	+	This Version Includes All Amendments
	6	+	Adopted in the Second House
	7	+	LLS NO. 25-0525.01 Anna Petrini x5497
1	8		HOUSE BILL 25-1221
2		-	BY REPRESENTATIVE(S) Hamrick and Garcia Sander, Bacon, Bird,
3		-	Bradley, Brown, Carter, Clifford, Duran, English, Espenoza, Froelich,
4		-	Jackson, Lieder, Lindsay, Lukens, Marshall, Phillips, Ricks, Rutinel, Sirota,
5		-	Stewart K., Stewart R., Titone, Valdez, McCluskie;
6		-	also SENATOR(S) Bridges and Lundeen, Bright, Exum, Frizell,
7		-	Gonzales J., Jodeh, Kipp, Michaelson Jenet, Rodriguez, Weissman,
8		-	Winter F., Coleman.
	9	+	House Committees Senate Committees
	10	+	Education Education
	11	+	A BILL FOR AN ACT
9	12		C
10		-	ONCERNING AUTHORIZING EMILY GRIFFITH TECHNICAL COLLEGE TO OFFER
11		-	AN ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE
12		-	.
13		-
14		-	Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
15		-	SECTION 1. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly
16		-	finds and declares that:
17		-	(a) Over the past decade, higher education in the United States has
18		-	expanded its ability to meet the needs of students through adjustments to the
19		-	role and mission of its institutions and through innovations in workforce
20		-	training and education, including the expansion of apprenticeship
21		-	opportunities;
22		-	NOTE: This bill has been prepared for the signatures of the appropriate legislative
23		-	officers and the Governor. To determine whether the Governor has signed the bill
24		-	or taken other action on it, please consult the legislative status sheet, the legislative
25		-	history, or the Session Laws.
26		-	________
27		-	Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material added to existing law; dashes
28		-	through words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law and such material is not part of
29		-	the act. (b) Colorado has been at the forefront of these innovations, and the
30		-	state's institutions have played a critical role in developing programs that
31		-	address the needs of today's learners;
32		-	(c) Emily Griffith technical college plays an integral role in
33		-	Colorado's education system, providing career-relevant training and
34		-	instruction that includes registered apprenticeships;
35		-	(d) Registered apprenticeships offer learners high-quality career
36		-	pathways through paid hands-on work in a chosen field. Through registered
37		-	apprenticeships, learners gain the skills and competencies to make informed
38		-	choices about their futures while employers build their talent pipelines.
39		-	(e) While registered apprenticeships can give students a valuable,
40		-	nationally recognized credential, many Emily Griffith learners complete
41		-	apprenticeship programs just a few general education credits shy of an
42		-	applied associate degree;
43		-	(f) According to data from the Georgetown University Center on
44		-	Education and the Workforce, students in many high-demand applied
45		-	associate degree programs have higher earning potential than those with
46		-	certificates or high school diplomas;
47		-	(g) According to a 50-state analysis conducted in 2021 by Advance
48		-	CTE, over a quarter of responding states reported that their area technical
49		-	colleges offered associate degrees; and
50		-	(h) Allowing Emily Griffith technical college to build on its
51		-	apprenticeship programs by adding associate degrees to its offerings gives
52		-	learners greater access to the job market and promotes lifelong learning.
53		-	Programmatic growth at this vital institution is necessary to ensure that
54		-	Colorado's higher education landscape continues to serve the needs of
55		-	today's learners and employers.
56		-	SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 23-60-211, add (6) as
57		-	follows:
	13	+	ONCERNING AUTHORIZING EMILY GRIFFITH TECHNICAL COLLEGE TO101
	14	+	OFFER AN ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE .102
	15	+	Bill Summary
	16	+	(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
	17	+	not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill
	18	+	passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
	19	+	applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
	20	+	http://leg.colorado.gov
	21	+	.)
	22	+	The bill permits Emily Griffith technical college (college) to offer
	23	+	an associate of applied science degree program (degree program) with
	24	+	approval from the state board for community colleges and occupational
	25	+	education (board). The degree program must include a registered
	26	+	apprenticeship program and certain transferable general education
	27	+	courses.
	28	+	SENATE
	29	+	3rd Reading Unamended
	30	+	April 1, 2025
	31	+	SENATE
	32	+	2nd Reading Unamended
	33	+	March 31, 2025
	34	+	HOUSE
	35	+	3rd Reading Unamended
	36	+	March 4, 2025
	37	+	HOUSE
	38	+	2nd Reading Unamended
	39	+	March 3, 2025
	40	+	HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
	41	+	Hamrick and Garcia Sander, Bacon, Bird, Bradley, Brown, Carter, Clifford, Duran,
	42	+	English, Espenoza, Froelich, Jackson, Lieder, Lindsay, Lukens, Marshall, McCluskie,
	43	+	Phillips, Ricks, Rutinel, Sirota, Stewart K., Stewart R., Titone, Valdez
	44	+	SENATE SPONSORSHIP
	45	+	Bridges and Lundeen, Bright, Coleman, Exum, Frizell, Gonzales J., Jodeh, Kipp,
	46	+	Michaelson Jenet, Rodriguez, Weissman, Winter F.
	47	+	Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
	48	+	Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law.
	49	+	Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law. In considering the college's request to offer a degree program, the
	50	+	board shall consider student and workforce demand, alignment with
	51	+	registered apprenticeship programs, cost-effectiveness for students and
	52	+	the state, and accreditation and licensing requirements. An approved
	53	+	degree program is eligible to receive federal "Carl D. Perkins Career and
	54	+	Technical Education Improvement Act" funds.
	55	+	Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
	56	+	SECTION 1. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly2
	57	+	finds and declares that:3
	58	+	(a) Over the past decade, higher education in the United States has4
	59	+	expanded its ability to meet the needs of students through adjustments to5
	60	+	the role and mission of its institutions and through innovations in6
	61	+	workforce training and education, including the expansion of7
	62	+	apprenticeship opportunities;8
	63	+	(b) Colorado has been at the forefront of these innovations, and9
	64	+	the state's institutions have played a critical role in developing programs10
	65	+	that address the needs of today's learners;11
	66	+	(c) Emily Griffith technical college plays an integral role in12
	67	+	Colorado's education system, providing career-relevant training and13
	68	+	instruction that includes registered apprenticeships;14
	69	+	(d) Registered apprenticeships offer learners high-quality career15
	70	+	pathways through paid hands-on work in a chosen field. Through16
	71	+	registered apprenticeships, learners gain the skills and competencies to17
	72	+	make informed choices about their futures while employers build their18
	73	+	talent pipelines.19
	74	+	(e) While registered apprenticeships can give students a valuable,20
	75	+	nationally recognized credential, many Emily Griffith learners complete21
	76	+	apprenticeship programs just a few general education credits shy of an22
	77	+	1221-2- applied associate degree;1
	78	+	(f) According to data from the Georgetown University Center on2
	79	+	Education and the Workforce, students in many high-demand applied3
	80	+	associate degree programs have higher earning potential than those with4
	81	+	certificates or high school diplomas;5
	82	+	(g) According to a 50-state analysis conducted in 2021 by6
	83	+	Advance CTE, over a quarter of responding states reported that their area7
	84	+	technical colleges offered associate degrees; and8
	85	+	(h) Allowing Emily Griffith technical college to build on its9
	86	+	apprenticeship programs by adding associate degrees to its offerings gives10
	87	+	learners greater access to the job market and promotes lifelong learning.11
	88	+	Programmatic growth at this vital institution is necessary to ensure that12
	89	+	Colorado's higher education landscape continues to serve the needs of13
	90	+	today's learners and employers.14
	91	+	SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 23-60-211, add (6)15
	92	+	as follows:16
58	93		23-60-211. Degrees. (6) P
59		-	URSUANT TO SECTION 23-60-804, ~~THE~~
60		-	~~EMILY GRIFFITH TECHNICAL COLLEGE MAY OFFER AN ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED~~
61		-	~~SCIENCE DEGREE~~
62		-	.
63		-	~~PAGE 2-HOUSE BILL 25-1221~~ SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 23-60-804 as
64		-	follows:
65		-	23-60-804. Emily Griffith technical college - associate ~~of applied~~
66		-	science degree program - definitions. (1) A
67		-	S USED IN ~~THIS SECTION,~~
68		-	UNLESS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES :
	94	+	URSUANT TO SECTION 23-60-804, THE17
	95	+	E
	96	+	MILY GRIFFITH TECHNICAL COLLEGE MAY OFFER AN ASSOCIATE OF18
	97	+	APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE.19
	98	+	SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 23-60-804 as20
	99	+	follows:21
	100	+	23-60-804. Emily Griffith technical college - associate of22
	101	+	applied science degree program - definitions. (1) A
	102	+	S USED IN THIS23
	103	+	SECTION, UNLESS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES :24
69	104		(a) "B
70		-	OARD" MEANS THE STATE BOARD FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGES
71		-	AND OCCUPATIONAL EDUCATION CREATED IN SECTION
72		-	23-60-104.
	105	+	OARD" MEANS THE STATE BOARD FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGES25
	106	+	AND OCCUPATIONAL EDUCATION CREATED IN SECTION 23-60-104.26
73	107		(b) "D
74		-	EGREE PROGRAM" MEANS A DEGREE PROGRAM OFFERED BY
75		-	~~THE~~
76		-	EMILY GRIFFITH TECHNICAL COLLEGE PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (2) OF
77		-	THIS SECTION THAT CONFERS AN ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED ~~SCIENCE DEGREE~~
78		-	.
	108	+	EGREE PROGRAM" MEANS A DEGREE PROGRAM OFFERED BY27
	109	+	1221
	110	+	-3- THE EMILY GRIFFITH TECHNICAL COLLEGE PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (2)1
	111	+	OF THIS SECTION THAT CONFERS AN ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE2
	112	+	DEGREE.3
79	113		(2) T
80		-	HE EMILY GRIFFITH TECHNICAL COLLEGE MAY , WITH BOARD
81		-	APPROVAL
82		-	, OFFER AN ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE PROGRAM TO
83		-	STUDENTS WHO ARE ENROLLED IN A REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM
84		-	.
	114	+	HE EMILY GRIFFITH TECHNICAL COLLEGE MAY, WITH BOARD4
	115	+	APPROVAL, OFFER AN ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE PROGRAM5
	116	+	TO STUDENTS WHO ARE ENROLLED IN A REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP6
	117	+	PROGRAM.7
85	118		(3) T
86		-	HE DEGREE PROGRAM MUST :
	119	+	HE DEGREE PROGRAM MUST :8
87	120		(a) I
88		-	NCLUDE A REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM WITHIN ITS
89		-	CURRICULAR DESIGN
90		-	;
	121	+	NCLUDE A REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM WITHIN ITS9
	122	+	CURRICULAR DESIGN;10
91	123		(b) I
92		-	NCLUDE SUFFICIENT TRANSFERABLE GENERAL EDUCATION
93		-	COURSES TO COMPLETE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DESIGNATED DEGREE
94		-	PROGRAM
95		-	, AS APPLICABLE, AND PURSUANT TO THE GUARANTEED TRANSFER
96		-	PATHWAYS MATRIX DESCRIBED IN SECTION
97		-	23-1-108.5 OR A STATEWIDE
98		-	DEGREE TRANSFER AGREEMENT
99		-	;
	124	+	NCLUDE SUFFICIENT TRANSFERABLE GENERAL EDUCATION11
	125	+	COURSES TO COMPLETE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DESIGNATED DEGREE12
	126	+	PROGRAM, AS APPLICABLE, AND PURSUANT TO THE GUARANTEED13
	127	+	TRANSFER PATHWAYS MATRIX DESCRIBED IN SECTION 23-1-108.5 OR A14
	128	+	STATEWIDE DEGREE TRANSFER AGREEMENT ;15
100	129		(c) A
101		-	LIGN WITH HIGH-NEED, HIGH-DEMAND OCCUPATIONS AS
102		-	IDENTIFIED BY STUDENT DEMAND AND THE MOST RECENT
103		-	COLORADO
104		-	TALENT REPORT CREATED PURSUANT TO SECTION
105		-	24-46.3-103 (3); AND
106		-	(d) BE SUBMITTED TO THE COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER
107		-	EDUCATION FOR INCLUSION IN STATEWIDE PUBLICATIONS OF ACADEMIC
108		-	DEGREE PROGRAMS AND THE GUARANTEED TRANSFER PATHWAYS MATRIX
109		-	DESCRIBED IN SECTION
110		-	23-1-108.5, AS APPLICABLE.
	130	+	LIGN WITH HIGH-NEED, HIGH-DEMAND OCCUPATIONS AS16
	131	+	IDENTIFIED BY STUDENT DEMAND AND THE MOST RECENT COLORADO17
	132	+	TALENT REPORT CREATED PURSUANT TO SECTION 24-46.3-103 (3); AND18
	133	+	(d) B
	134	+	E SUBMITTED TO THE COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER19
	135	+	EDUCATION FOR INCLUSION IN STATEWIDE PUBLICATIONS OF ACADEMIC20
	136	+	DEGREE PROGRAMS AND THE GUARANTEED TRANSFER PATHWAYS MATRIX21
	137	+	DESCRIBED IN SECTION 23-1-108.5, AS APPLICABLE.22
111	138		(4) (a) B
112		-	EFORE THE EMILY GRIFFITH TECHNICAL COLLEGE MAY
113		-	OFFER AN ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE PURSUANT TO
114		-	PAGE 3-HOUSE BILL 25-1221 SUBSECTION (2) OF THIS SECTION, THE EMILY GRIFFITH TECHNICAL COLLEGE
115		-	SHALL DETERMINE THE PROGRAM DESIGNATION FOR THE DEGREE
116		-	.
117		-	(b) A
118		-	FTER DETERMINING THE PROGRAM DESIGNATION FOR THE
119		-	ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION
120		-	(4)(a)
121		-	OF THIS SECTION, THE EMILY GRIFFITH TECHNICAL COLLEGE SHALL SUBMIT
122		-	THE DEGREE PROGRAM TO THE BOARD FOR THE BOARD
123		-	'S REVIEW AND
124		-	APPROVAL
125		-	. THE EMILY GRIFFITH TECHNICAL COLLEGE MAY OFFER THE
126		-	DEGREE PROGRAM ONLY AFTER THE DE GREE PROGRAM HAS BEEN APPROVED
127		-	BY THE BOARD
128		-	.
	139	+	EFORE THE EMILY GRIFFITH TECHNICAL COLLEGE MAY23
	140	+	OFFER AN ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE PURSUANT TO24
	141	+	SUBSECTION (2) OF THIS SECTION, THE EMILY GRIFFITH TECHNICAL25
	142	+	COLLEGE SHALL DETERMINE THE PROGRAM DESIGNATION FOR THE26
	143	+	DEGREE.27
	144	+	1221
	145	+	-4- (b) AFTER DETERMINING THE PROGRAM DESIGNATION FOR THE1
	146	+	ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SCIENCE DEGREE PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (4)(a)2
	147	+	OF THIS SECTION, THE EMILY GRIFFITH TECHNICAL COLLEGE SHALL3
	148	+	SUBMIT THE DEGREE PROGRAM TO THE BOARD FOR THE BOARD 'S REVIEW4
	149	+	AND APPROVAL. THE EMILY GRIFFITH TECHNICAL COLLEGE MAY OFFER5
	150	+	THE DEGREE PROGRAM ONLY AFTER THE DEGREE PROGRAM HAS BEEN6
	151	+	APPROVED BY THE BOARD.7
129	152		(5) (a) I
130		-	N DECIDING WHETHER TO APPROVE A REQUEST BY THE EMILY
131		-	GRIFFITH TECHNICAL COLLEGE TO OFFER A DEGREE PROGRAM PURSUANT TO
132		-	SUBSECTION
133		-	(4)(b) OF THIS SECTION, THE BOARD SHALL CONSIDER ONLY THE
134		-	FOLLOWING CRITERIA
135		-	:
	153	+	N DECIDING WHETHER TO APPROVE A REQUEST BY THE8
	154	+	E
	155	+	MILY GRIFFITH TECHNICAL COLLEGE TO OFFER A DEGREE PROGRAM9
	156	+	PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (4)(b) OF THIS SECTION, THE BOARD SHALL10
	157	+	CONSIDER ONLY THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA :11
136	158		(I) S
137		-	TUDENT AND WORKFORCE DEMAND ;
	159	+	TUDENT AND WORKFORCE DEMAND ;12
138	160		(II) A
139		-	LIGNMENT OF THE DEGREE PROGRAM WITH OTHER REGISTERED
140		-	APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS OFFERED BY THE
141		-	EMILY GRIFFITH TECHNICAL
142		-	COLLEGE
143		-	;
	161	+	LIGNMENT OF THE DEGREE PROGRAM WITH OTHER13
	162	+	REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS OFFERED BY THE EMILY GRIFFITH14
	163	+	TECHNICAL COLLEGE;15
144	164		(III) C
145		-	OST-EFFECTIVENESS OF THE DEGREE PROGRAM FOR THE
146		-	STUDENTS AND THE STATE
147		-	; AND
148		-	(IV) ACCREDITATION AND LICENSING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE
149		-	DEGREE PROGRAM
150		-	.
	165	+	OST-EFFECTIVENESS OF THE DEGREE PROGRAM FOR THE16
	166	+	STUDENTS AND THE STATE; AND17
	167	+	(IV) A
	168	+	CCREDITATION AND LICENSING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE18
	169	+	DEGREE PROGRAM.19
151	170		(b) T
152		-	HE BOARD SHALL NOTIFY THE COLORADO COMMISSION ON
153		-	HIGHER EDUCATION OF EACH DEGREE PROGRAM THAT THE BOARD APPROVES
154		-	PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION
155		-	.
	171	+	HE BOARD SHALL NOTIFY THE COLORADO COMMISSION ON20
	172	+	HIGHER EDUCATION OF EACH DEGREE PROGRAM THAT THE BOARD21
	173	+	APPROVES PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION .22
156	174		(6) C
157		-	ONSISTENT WITH THE STATEWIDE MASTER PLAN CREATED
158		-	PURSUANT TO SECTION
159		-	23-1-108 (1.5), A DEGREE PROGRAM ESTABLISHED
160		-	PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE FUNDS THROUGH THE
161		-	FEDERAL
162		-	"CARL D. PERKINS CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION
163		-	IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2006", 20 U.S.C. SEC. 2301 ET SEQ.
164		-	SECTION 4. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act
165		-	takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the
166		-	PAGE 4-HOUSE BILL 25-1221 ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly; except
167		-	that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V
168		-	of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this act
169		-	within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take effect
170		-	unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in
171		-	November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the official
172		-	declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.
173		-	____________________________ ____________________________
174		-	Julie McCluskie James Rashad Coleman, Sr.
175		-	SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE PRESIDENT OF
176		-	OF REPRESENTATIVES THE SENATE
177		-	____________________________ ____________________________
178		-	Vanessa Reilly Esther van Mourik
179		-	CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE SECRETARY OF
180		-	OF REPRESENTATIVES THE SENATE
181		-	APPROVED________________________________________
182		-	(Date and Time)
183		-	_________________________________________
184		-	Jared S. Polis
185		-	GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF COLORADO
186		-	PAGE 5-HOUSE BILL 25-1221
	175	+	ONSISTENT WITH THE STATEWIDE MASTER PLAN CREATED23
	176	+	PURSUANT TO SECTION 23-1-108 (1.5), A DEGREE PROGRAM ESTABLISHED24
	177	+	PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE FUNDS THROUGH THE25
	178	+	FEDERAL "CARL D. PERKINS CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION26
	179	+	I
	180	+	MPROVEMENT ACT OF 2006", 20 U.S.C. SEC. 2301 ET SEQ.27
	181	+	1221
	182	+	-5- SECTION 4. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act1
	183	+	takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the2
	184	+	ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly; except3
	185	+	that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V4
	186	+	of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this5
	187	+	act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take6
	188	+	effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in7
	189	+	November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the8
	190	+	official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.9
	191	+	1221
	192	+	-6-