C.R.S. § 23-60-101 Short title
23-60-101. Short title. This article shall be known and may be cited as the "Community College and Occupational Education Act of 1967".
Community Colleges and Occupational Education
C.R.S. tit. 23, art. 60
in effectC.R.S. § 23-60-102 Legislative declaration
23-60-102. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly hereby finds and declares that the state board for community colleges and occupational education is charged to develop and establish state policy for occupational education and to govern the state system of community colleges. The board shall be responsible for the establishment of statewide career and technical education policy for all the entities which provide such education and shall coordinate all aspects of career and technical education in the state to assure quality programming and efficient delivery of such education.
(2) In its role as the governing authority for the state system of community colleges, the board shall assure a system of two-year program delivery throughout the state coordinated, where appropriate, with the local district colleges. In order to assist the board in carrying out its responsibilities, the general assembly hereby provides for the establishment of local councils to advise the board on the operation of individual community and local district colleges from a local perspective.
(3) The function of the two-year college system is to conduct occupational, technical, and community service programs with no term limitations and general education, including college transfer programs with unrestricted admissions. It is further the intent of this article to develop appropriate occupational education and adult education programs in these and other postsecondary educational institutions, to maintain and expand occupational education programs in the elementary and secondary schools of the state permitting local school districts already having area technical colleges to continue to operate them, and to develop work study and on-the-job training programs designed to acquaint youth with the world of work and to train and retrain youth and adults for employment. The general assembly intends that state agencies concerned with occupational education in the public schools shall cooperate with the board in planning and implementing occupational education programs, to the end that the state of Colorado has complete and well-balanced occupational and adult education programs available to the people of Colorado at all educational levels.
C.R.S. § 23-60-103 Definitions
23-60-103. Definitions. As used in this article 60, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Area technical college" means a school offering approved postsecondary vocational programs for credit, operated by a local school district or by a board of cooperative services, and designated by the general assembly as an area technical college in conformity with standards established by the state board for community colleges and occupational education. Tuition rates and fees charged any person not enrolled in a secondary school curriculum must be uniform for any group classification. For the purposes of this article 60, the following schools are area technical colleges: The Emily Griffith technical college, the technical college of the Rockies, and the Pickens technical college.
(2) "Occupational education" means any education designed to facilitate career and technical or occupational development of individual persons, including, but not limited to, career and technical training or retraining that is given in schools or classes, including field or laboratory work incident thereto, under public supervision and control or under contract with the board or a local educational agency and that is conducted as a part of a program designed to fit individuals for gainful employment as semiskilled or skilled workers or technicians in recognized occupations, but excluding any program to fit individuals for employment in occupations generally considered to be professional or that require a baccalaureate or higher degree. The term further includes career and technical guidance and counseling in connection with such training; instruction related to the occupation for which the person is being trained or necessary for the person to benefit from such training; and the training of persons engaged as or preparing to become career and technical education teachers, teacher-trainers, supervisors, and directors.
(3) "Postsecondary" means related to instruction of students over the age of seventeen years who are not enrolled in a regular program of kindergarten through grade twelve in a public, independent, or parochial school.
(4) A "registered elector" of a district means any person who is at least eighteen years of age, who is a citizen of the United States, who has resided in the state for thirty-two days, in the local college district thirty-two days, and in the dissolution election precinct thirty-two days immediately preceding the election, and who is duly registered.
(5) "Workplace literacy program" means any program of remedial education in basic mathematics or literacy skills sponsored by one or more private employers and offered for the benefit of employees and conducted in the workplace.
C.R.S. § 23-60-104 State board for community colleges and occupational education - student advisory council - state advisory council
23-60-104. State board for community colleges and occupational education - student advisory council - state advisory council.
(1) (a) Repealed.
(b) There is created a state board for community colleges and occupational education, which is referred to in this article as the "board". The board is a body corporate and has the authority to adopt a seal and to receive, demand, and hold for all occupational education purposes and for any educational institution under its jurisdiction such money, lands, or other property as may be donated, bequeathed, appropriated, or otherwise made available to the board, and it may use such property in the interests of community and technical colleges and occupational education in this state.
(2) (a) (I) The board consists of:
(A) One member from each congressional district in the state, appointed by the governor with the consent of the senate;
(B) Two members from the state at large, appointed by the governor with the consent of the senate; and
(C) Two members selected pursuant to subsection (2)(a)(III) of this section.
(II) The board shall appoint a director of occupational education and a director of community and technical colleges with the qualifications and background specified by the board. No appointed member shall be an employee of any local district college, community or technical college, school district or agency receiving vocational funds allocated by the board, private institution of higher education, or state or private occupational school in the state. No appointed member shall be an elected or appointed statewide official of the state of Colorado or member of the governing board of any state-supported institution of higher education. The board must at no time have more than a minimum majority of the appointed members affiliated with any one political party. Members of the board shall be appointed so as to ensure that all geographic areas of the state are represented. A state student advisory council of student members who are enrolled for a minimum of nine hours shall be elected, one each, from and by the student bodies of each of the campuses governed by the board.
(III) The first additional member must be a student at a college of a state system of community colleges, and the second additional member must be a member of the faculty of a college of the state system of community colleges. Such members shall be elected in accordance with procedures established by the board, which procedures must take into account all the colleges within the state system of community colleges. The term of said offices is one year. Said offices are advisory, without the right to vote and without the right to attend executive sessions.
(b) The term of office for each member appointed by the governor is four years; except that a member of the board who is appointed by the governor shall continue to serve until a successor is appointed and confirmed by the senate, and the terms of members appointed by the governor shall be staggered so that no more than a minimum majority of the appointed members' terms expire in the same year. The terms of the offices of members of the state student advisory council shall be one year. A member appointed to the board shall not serve for more than two consecutive full four-year terms. Members of the board shall receive fifty dollars per diem for attendance at official meetings, plus actual and necessary expenses incurred in the conduct of official business.
terms expire in the same year. The terms of the offices of members of the state student advisory council shall be one year. A member appointed to the board shall not serve for more than two consecutive full four-year terms. Members of the board shall receive fifty dollars per diem for attendance at official meetings, plus actual and necessary expenses incurred in the conduct of official business.
(c) If a member appointed by the governor moves out of the congressional district from which the member was appointed, a vacancy is created. A member who moves out of such congressional district shall promptly notify the governor of the date of such move, but such notice is not required for the vacancy to occur. Any vacancy in the office of any member of the board appointed by the governor shall be filled by appointment of the governor with the consent of the senate for the unexpired term. Any vacancy on the state student advisory council shall be filled for the unexpired term by appointment by the duly elected student government of the affected campus within thirty days after such vacancy occurs.
(3) Repealed.
(4) The board shall appoint an executive officer of the board, who shall serve at the pleasure of the board and shall receive compensation commensurate with his duties as determined by the board. Offices held by the executive officer and professional personnel are declared to be educational in nature and not under the state personnel system.
C.R.S. § 23-60-104.5 Recommendations of governor's task force - legislative declaration - definitions
23-60-104.5. Recommendations of governor's task force - legislative declaration - definitions. (1) The general assembly hereby finds and declares that:
(a) On December 23, 2003, by executive order, the governor established the governor's task force to strengthen and improve the community college system;
(b) The task force was charged with evaluating the current structure of governance and administration in the state system of community colleges and recommending reforms and cost savings to the governor, the Colorado commission on higher education, the board, and, if applicable, the general assembly;
(c) The task force met ten times and sponsored five public forums at community colleges around the state;
(d) The task force made six recommendations to the governor along with a two-year timeline for completing each recommendation and sending periodic reports to the governor;
(e) These recommendations were:
(I) Decreasing the administrative costs of the system office;
(II) Maintaining a central system office but restructuring its functions;
(III) Centralizing and standardizing the information technology functions of the system office;
(IV) Decentralizing institutional research functions of the colleges;
(V) Restructuring of distance learning; and
(VI) Completing a comprehensive review of the administrative costs for career and technical education;
(f) The task force recommended that any cost savings achieved from the recommendations, pursuant to paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of this section, should go to program providers for enhancing services pursuant to paragraph (c) of subsection (3) of this section;
(g) The task force recommended that the board conduct a comprehensive examination of the Lowry campus, including how to develop the land to its highest and best use and how any funds resulting from these changes may be invested in the classrooms of the state system of community colleges;
(h) The task force established a timeline for the board to follow and included in that timeline periodic reports to the governor; and
(i) It is in the best interests of the public that some of these recommendations be put into statute.
(2) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) "Colleges" means the community colleges under the control of the board.
(b) "System office" means the office under the board that provides services to all of the colleges.
(c) "Task force" means the governor's task force established pursuant to an executive order dated December 23, 2003.
(3) (a) For the state fiscal year commencing on July 1, 2004, and ending on June 30, 2005, the board shall reduce the state-funded administrative costs of the system office by at least twenty percent.
(b) The moneys available because of the reductions required by paragraph (a) of this subsection (3) shall be used to finance the following recommendations of the task force:
(I) (A) The installation of a centralized, standardized, integrated, system-wide information technology system solution for the colleges.
(B) On or before July 1, 2004, the board shall begin implementation of the centralized, standardized, integrated, system-wide information technology configuration for the colleges. The implementation of the information technology configuration shall be substantially completed on or before June 30, 2006. The board and the colleges shall adopt best practices for all business processes.
(II) By January 1, 2005, the restructuring of distance learning at all colleges by requiring the system office to provide and all colleges to use a common utility infrastructure and maintain a common standard for security and accreditation;
(III) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2005, p. 1016, § 10, effective June 2, 2005.)
(IV) By July 1, 2004, conducting a comprehensive review by the board of the administrative costs for career and technical education.
e learning at all colleges by requiring the system office to provide and all colleges to use a common utility infrastructure and maintain a common standard for security and accreditation;
(III) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2005, p. 1016, § 10, effective June 2, 2005.)
(IV) By July 1, 2004, conducting a comprehensive review by the board of the administrative costs for career and technical education.
(c) Any remaining moneys available because of the reductions required by paragraph (a) of this subsection (3) after the financing of the recommendations specified in paragraph (b) of this subsection (3) shall be used in delivering classroom instruction and in support of the colleges.
(4) (a) On or before June 30, 2005, the state board shall develop a master plan for the use, development, or sale of the real property at the Lowry campus, except for the property used by the community college of Aurora or the community college of Denver. Nothing in this section shall prevent the board from allowing a charter school to be located at the Lowry campus prior to the development of the master plan, and nothing in the master plan shall cause the displacement of a charter school.
(b) On or before June 30, 2006, the state board may enter into an agreement with a third-party master developer to carry out the use, development, or sale of the real property for the Lowry campus.
(5) (a) As used in this subsection (5), unless the context otherwise requires, "net proceeds from the Lowry property" means the proceeds from the sale, ground lease, or other disposition of the real estate interests of the state board at the Lowry campus, less the actual and reasonable costs of completing the transaction and less any unsatisfied debt or other obligation relating to such real estate interests.
(b) The net proceeds from the Lowry property may be maintained in an account for use by the state board for capital-development-related projects at the system office or the colleges.
(6) On or before October 1, 2004, July 1, 2005, and July 1, 2006, the board shall submit to the governor and to the education committees of the senate and house of representatives reports on the progress made in implementing the recommendations contained in this section.
C.R.S. § 23-60-105 Staff and appointments
23-60-105. Staff and appointments. (Repealed)
C.R.S. § 23-60-106 Notification concerning gaming schools
23-60-106. Notification concerning gaming schools. The board shall notify the limited gaming control commission created in section 44-30-301 of any educational program or school offering instruction in occupations relating to limited gaming or any other gambling.
C.R.S. § 23-60-107 State board for community colleges and occupational education fund - creation - control - use
23-60-107. State board for community colleges and occupational education fund - creation - control - use. (1) There is hereby created in the state treasury the state board for community colleges and occupational education fund which shall be under the control of and administered by the board in accordance with the provisions of this article. Except as otherwise allowed by section 24-36-103 (2), C.R.S., all moneys received or acquired by the board or by any of the institutions it governs, whether by appropriation, grant, contract, or gift, by sale or lease of surplus real or personal property, or by any other means, whose disposition is not otherwise provided for by law, and all interest derived from the deposit and investment of moneys in the fund shall be credited to said fund. The moneys in the fund are hereby continuously appropriated to the board and shall remain in the fund and shall not be transferred or revert to the general fund of the state at the end of any fiscal year.
(2) The moneys in the state board for community colleges and occupational education fund shall be used by the board for the payment of salaries and operating expenses of the board and of the institutions it governs and for the payment of any other expenses incurred by the board in carrying out its statutory powers and duties.
(3) Moneys in the state board for community colleges and occupational education fund which are not needed for immediate use by the board may be invested by the state treasurer in investments authorized by sections 24-36-109, 24-36-112, and 24-36-113, C.R.S. The board shall determine the amount of moneys in the fund which may be invested and shall notify the state treasurer in writing of such amount.
C.R.S. § 23-60-108 Board responsibilities - direct care provider career path pilot program - repeal
23-60-108. Board responsibilities - direct care provider career path pilot program - repeal. (Repealed)
C.R.S. § 23-60-109 Career pathways - design - legislative declaration
23-60-109. Career pathways - design - legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly finds and declares that:
(a) The board developed the manufacturing career pathway pursuant to part 10 of this article after consulting with local district colleges and area technical colleges, and in collaboration with the department of labor and employment, the department of higher education, the department of education, and the state work force development council, created in section 24-46.3-101, C.R.S.;
(b) The manufacturing career pathway was based upon guidelines endorsed by the state work force development council; and
(c) The knowledge and experience gained through the process of designing and implementing the manufacturing career pathway should inform the design and implementation of additional career pathways pursuant to section 24-46.3-104, C.R.S.
(2) The board shall collaborate with the state work force development council to design career pathways pursuant to the provisions of section 24-46.3-104, C.R.S. The state work force development council is responsible for coordinating the design of the career pathways. Career pathways designed pursuant to section 24-46.3-104, C.R.S., must use the model developed to create the manufacturing career pathway pursuant to section 23-60-1003, including any improvements to the model based upon the implementation of the manufacturing career pathway. Career pathways created pursuant to section 24-46.3-104, C.R.S., must have the components described in section 23-60-1003 (2), as they relate to the specific career pathway being created.
C.R.S. § 23-60-110 Teaching career pathway - design
23-60-110. Teaching career pathway - design. (1) No later than the 2022-23 academic year, the department of higher education, in collaboration with the department of education, the board, and the deans of the schools of education and academic administrators in Colorado institutions of higher education, or their designees, shall design a career pathway, as defined in section 23-60-1002 (2), for students to enter the teaching profession. The teaching career pathway must connect school districts, local district colleges, community colleges, and four-year institutions of higher education with adult programs, and may allow a student to earn income while progressing along the career pathway. The board shall approve all pathways that begin in middle or high school.
(2) The teaching career pathway must be aligned with the quality standards adopted by the state board of education pursuant to section 22-2-109 (3). In addition, the pathway must include the following components:
(a) Secondary, adult education, and postsecondary education options, with a nonduplicative, clearly articulated course progression from one level of instruction to the next, with opportunities to earn postsecondary credits, maximize credit for prior learning, and secure educator licensure;
(b) Academic and career counseling resources; best practices in wraparound support services, particularly at transition points along the teaching career pathway; and support and development of individual career and academic plans; and
(c) Curriculum and instructional strategies that are appropriate for adult students and that embed learning and skill-building in a work-related context.
(3) The department of education shall direct each school district to publicize the teaching career pathway on its website and social media and the department of higher education shall direct each community college campus and four-year institutional campus to publicize the teaching career pathway on its website and social media.
C.R.S. § 23-60-111 Community colleges - high school diplomas - approval
23-60-111. Community colleges - high school diplomas - approval. (1) The board may establish and approve graduation requirements for a high school diploma. A community college shall award a high school diploma to a student who successfully completes the high school graduation requirements approved by the board.
(2) A service provider may partner with a community college to provide courses that lead to a high school diploma or an industry-recognized credential.
(3) As used in this section, "service provider" means a nonprofit entity or for-profit entity that enters into a formal, negotiated contract for educational services with a community college.
C.R.S. § 23-60-201 State system of community and technical colleges established - local district colleges - role and mission
23-60-201. State system of community and technical colleges established - local district colleges - role and mission. There is established a state system of community and technical colleges that is under the management and jurisdiction of the state board for community colleges and occupational education. The mission of the community colleges is to serve Colorado residents who reside in their service areas by offering a broad range of general, personal, career, and technical education programs, bachelor of applied science degree programs approved pursuant to section 23-60-211 (4), and bachelor of science in nursing completion programs that result in the awarding of a bachelor of science in nursing degree to successful candidates pursuant to section 23-60-211 (5). Except as provided in section 23-60-211, each college must be a two-year college. Each community college may offer two-year degree programs with or without academic designation, and, upon approval of the board pursuant to section 23-60-211, may offer technical, career, and workforce development bachelor of applied science degree programs. A community college shall not impose admission requirements upon any student. Admission to a community college does not guarantee enrollment in a specific program that has prerequisites. The objects of the community and technical colleges are to provide educational programs to fill the occupational needs of youth and adults in career and technical fields, two-year transfer educational programs to qualify students for admission to the junior year at other colleges and universities, developmental education courses, workforce development, and a broad range of personal and career education for adults, and technical, career, and workforce development bachelor of applied science degree programs established pursuant to section 23-60-211, that address the needs of the community within each community college service area.
C.R.S. § 23-60-202 Duties of board with respect to state system
23-60-202. Duties of board with respect to state system. (1) With respect to the community and technical colleges within the state system, the board has the authority, responsibility, rights, privileges, powers, and duties customarily exercised by the governing boards of institutions of higher education, including the following:
(a) To recommend to the Colorado commission on higher education and the general assembly the location and priorities for establishment of new community and technical colleges;
(b) To construct, lease, or otherwise provide facilities needed for the community and technical colleges as authorized by the general assembly; to issue in the name of the board revenue bonds and other revenue obligations in the manner, for the purposes, and subject to the provisions provided by law for state educational institutions under article 5 of this title or for local college districts; and to refund in the name of the board revenue bonds and other revenue obligations transferred to the board or incurred by the board as provided in this article, such refunding to be undertaken pursuant to article 54 of title 11, C.R.S.;
(c) (I) (A) To fix the tuition and fees to be charged in the community and technical colleges. The board shall fix tuition in accordance with the level of cash fund appropriations set by the general assembly for such institutions pursuant to section 23-1-104 (1)(b)(I).
(B) Repealed.
(II) To the extent space is available, the board may allow persons licensed pursuant to article 60.5 of title 22 to take, without charge, at community and technical colleges, courses identified by the department of public safety pursuant to section 24-33.5-1606.5 (4), as related to the national incident management system developed by the federal emergency management agency.
(d) To appoint the chief administrative officer of each community and technical college;
(e) To recommend and review proposals for the establishment of curriculums and for major changes in curriculums, subject only to the review function of the Colorado commission on higher education relating to formal academic programs;
(f) To define the requirements of appropriate degrees and certificates and to authorize the award thereof in the community and technical colleges, subject only to the review function of the Colorado commission on higher education relating to formal academic programs;
(f.5) To review and approve the degree programs described in section 23-60-211, subject only to the review function of the Colorado commission on higher education relating to formal academic programs;
(g) To develop a plan with the governing boards of baccalaureate degree-granting universities and colleges of the state which will assure maximum freedom of transfer of students between local district colleges and community and technical colleges under the direct control of the board and such universities and colleges;
(h) To receive, review, and transmit with recommendations to the Colorado commission on higher education and the general assembly both operating and capital budget requests of the community and technical colleges;
(i) To plan, in cooperation with other state agencies, the allocation of federal funds for instructional programs and student services, including funds for vocational and technical education and retraining;
(j) To determine policies pertaining to the community and technical colleges, subject only to the functions and powers assigned by law to the Colorado commission on higher education relating to formal academic programs;
(k) To control the direction of funds and appropriations to the colleges in the system;
(l) To receive, demand, and hold for the uses and purposes of the colleges in the system such moneys, lands, or other properties as may be donated, devised, leased, or conveyed and to apply the same in such manner as will serve best the objects and interests of the colleges in the system;
l academic programs;
(k) To control the direction of funds and appropriations to the colleges in the system;
(l) To receive, demand, and hold for the uses and purposes of the colleges in the system such moneys, lands, or other properties as may be donated, devised, leased, or conveyed and to apply the same in such manner as will serve best the objects and interests of the colleges in the system;
(m) To develop and implement, in coordination with four-year institutions and under the direction of the Colorado commission on higher education, a core transfer program for students wishing to obtain a baccalaureate degree after transferring out of the state system to a four-year institution, which program shall be implemented within the state system by September 15, 1987.
(n) Repealed.
C.R.S. § 23-60-202.5 Powers of board with respect to the higher education and advanced technology center at Lowry
23-60-202.5. Powers of board with respect to the higher education and advanced technology center at Lowry. The board is authorized to lease classroom and administrative facilities located at the higher education and advanced technology center at Lowry to colleges within the state system of community and technical colleges and to public and private institutions of higher education that are not included in the system.
C.R.S. § 23-60-202.7 Powers of board with respect to concurrent enrollment - definitions
23-60-202.7. Powers of board with respect to concurrent enrollment - definitions. (1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) "Board of cooperative services" means a board of cooperative services created pursuant to article 5 of title 22 that operates a public school.
(b) "Charter school" means a district charter school authorized by a school district board of education pursuant to part 1 of article 30.5 of title 22 and an institute charter school authorized by the state charter school institute board pursuant to part 5 of article 30.5 of title 22.
(c) "Concurrent enrollment" has the same meaning as provided in section 22-35-103.
(d) "Local education provider" means a school district, a charter school, a board of cooperative services, and the school for the deaf and the blind.
(e) "School district" means a school district organized and existing pursuant to article 30 of title 22.
(f) "School for the deaf and the blind" means the Colorado school for the deaf and the blind described in section 22-80-102.
(2) The board shall ensure that the community college system provides leadership, system-level service, and management and coordination of efforts within the system to streamline policies, eliminate administrative barriers, and implement efforts to maximize participation in concurrent enrollment across the community college system. Coordination of efforts includes facilitating the sharing of best practices among institutions, driving innovation, and building capacity for offering concurrent enrollment to more students across the state with a focus on student academic success.
(3) The community college system may receive funding for the services described in this section through a limited purpose fee-for-service contract as provided in section 23-18-308.
(4) (a) Beginning in the 2021-22 fiscal year, the community college system shall collaborate with the local education providers throughout the state to develop and disseminate informational materials for the parents of students enrolled in grades six through eight. The community college system shall design the materials to explain the benefits of participating in concurrent enrollment during grades nine through twelve and, for all types of institutions of higher education as defined in section 22-35-103, the types of courses available through concurrent enrollment and the general requirements and process for enrolling in concurrent enrollment courses. At a minimum, the materials must refer to the website developed by the department of education pursuant to section 22-35-113, and the materials provided for each local education provider must include the name of and contact information for the person who oversees concurrent enrollment in that local education provider. A local education provider may provide directory information, as defined in and in accordance with federal law, to the community college system to use only in disseminating information pursuant to this subsection (4).
(b) The community college system, in collaboration with the local education providers, shall begin disseminating the concurrent enrollment information materials developed pursuant to subsection (4)(a) of this section beginning in the fall of the 2021-22 academic year. At a minimum, the community college system shall provide materials to parents of students enrolled in grades six through eight through digital means at least once during the school year and once during the summer months. The community college system may also provide the information contained in the materials through public service announcements, paid placements on social media platforms, or other mass communication means, subject to available appropriations.
ials to parents of students enrolled in grades six through eight through digital means at least once during the school year and once during the summer months. The community college system may also provide the information contained in the materials through public service announcements, paid placements on social media platforms, or other mass communication means, subject to available appropriations.
(c) Notwithstanding any provision of this subsection (4) to the contrary, the community college system may begin developing and disseminating informational materials as provided in subsections (4)(a) and (4)(b) of this section during the 2020-21 fiscal year if the community college system deems it feasible to do so within existing resources.
C.R.S. § 23-60-203 Duties of board with respect to local district colleges
23-60-203. Duties of board with respect to local district colleges. (1) With respect to local district colleges operating under the provisions of article 71 of this title, the board shall:
(a) Exercise all powers and perform all duties vested prior to July 1, 1967, in the state board of education or in the commissioner of education with respect to local district colleges;
(b) Review and make recommendations concerning requests by any local district college for appropriations for capital construction before such requests are submitted to the Colorado commission on higher education and the general assembly; and
(c) Provide such local district colleges with such technical assistance as they may request.
C.R.S. § 23-60-204 Financing
23-60-204. Financing. Except as provided in this article, the construction, operation, and maintenance of the community and technical colleges within the state system shall be financed by the state in the same manner as are all other state institutions of higher education.
C.R.S. § 23-60-205 Community and technical colleges
23-60-205. Community and technical colleges. The state system of community and technical colleges includes: Arapahoe community college, Colorado Northwestern community college, the community college of Aurora, the community college of Denver, Front Range community college, Lamar community college, Morgan community college, Northeastern junior college, Otero college, Pikes Peak state college, Pueblo community college, Red Rocks community college, Trinidad state college, and Colorado community college and occupational education system college. The state board for community colleges and occupational education governs the state system of community and technical colleges.
C.R.S. § 23-60-206 College advisory council
23-60-206. College advisory council. (1) The board shall establish a procedure for receiving nominations for appointments to the college advisory council and shall appoint a seven-member college advisory council for each community and technical college under its governance, composed of residents from the area in which the community and technical college is located and serves, which council shall meet at least quarterly with the chief administrative officer of the college. The board of trustees of any local district college shall be designated as the first college advisory council when such local district college joins the state system, and members thereof shall serve for the duration of their terms. Upon expiration of such terms, new appointees shall be so designated that the college advisory council will at all subsequent times include at least two members familiar with occupational education needs. Of members first appointed, three members shall be appointed for four years and two members for two years. Thereafter, terms of members appointed to the college advisory council shall be for four years. The members of a college advisory council in office on April 14, 1986, shall remain in office for the remainder of their respective terms, and, thereafter, may be reappointed by the board. Effective July 1, 1986, the board shall appoint two members for each college advisory council, one member to serve for a term of two years and one member to serve for a term of four years. Members of the college advisory council shall receive twenty dollars per day for meetings attended and shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in the conduct of official business.
(1.5) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (1) of this section, if the plan for Colorado Northwestern community college to join the state system of community and technical colleges is approved and moneys are appropriated therefor as provided in section 23-71-207 and if the Moffat county affiliated junior college district voters approve the ballot measure set forth in section 23-71-207 (1)(b)(II), the initial advisory council for Colorado Northwestern community college shall consist of three members of the Rangely junior college district board of trustees, three members of the Moffat county affiliated junior college district board of control, and one member at large to be appointed by the state board for community colleges and occupational education from the Colorado Northwestern community college designated service area. If the Moffat county affiliated junior college district voters do not approve the ballot measure set forth in section 23-71-207 (1)(b)(II), the provisions of subsection (1) of this section shall apply.
(2) The board shall officially recognize within its policies the manner in which it shall receive advice from local councils concerning local oversight of each of the state system community colleges and shall include consideration of advice in the areas of tuition and fees; operating and capital budgets; allocation of moneys; money, land, and other property; instructional programs; degrees and certificates; appointment of chief administrative officers of campuses; personnel policies; and admissions and academic standards. A report containing such information shall be prepared and submitted to the Colorado commission on higher education no later than January 15, 1987.
C.R.S. § 23-60-207 College service areas
23-60-207. College service areas. Each college in the state system of community and technical colleges shall operate within a service area assigned by the Colorado commission on higher education.
C.R.S. § 23-60-208 Eminent domain
23-60-208. Eminent domain. The board has the power to take and hold, by gift, devise, purchase, or lease or through the exercise of the power of eminent domain pursuant to law, so much land as may become necessary for the location and construction of such buildings, structures, and other facilities as may be required for the uses and purposes of the colleges in the state system.
C.R.S. § 23-60-209 Programs and services
23-60-209. Programs and services. The board shall ensure that no unnecessary duplication of programs or services exists between the community colleges in the metropolitan Denver area and the vocational schools operating in the same geographic area.
C.R.S. § 23-60-210 Transfer of records and equipment - creation of new colleges
23-60-210. Transfer of records and equipment - creation of new colleges. (1) At the board's discretion, the board may transfer books, records, equipment, property, personnel, accounts, and liabilities of the community college of Denver or any other entity to Red Rocks community college, Front Range community college, and the reconstituted community college of Denver in order to effect the creation of such colleges.
(2) All employees, exempt and classified, transferred pursuant to subsection (1) of this section shall retain all rights to state personnel system and retirement benefits under the laws of this state, and their services shall be deemed to have been continuous. All such transfers and any abolishment of positions in the state personnel system shall be made and processed in accordance with state personnel system laws and rules and regulations.
C.R.S. § 23-60-211 Degrees
23-60-211. Degrees. (1) Before a community college offers a two-year degree program with academic designation, as authorized by section 23-60-201, the community college shall determine the program designation for the degree. A two-year degree program with academic designation shall only be for a degree program that has a valid student transfer agreement pursuant to section 23-1-108 (7); except that a community college may offer a two-year degree program with academic designation in dental hygiene without a valid student transfer agreement. The community college shall then submit the degree program designation to the board for its review and approval. The community college may offer the degree program only after it has been approved by the board and by the Colorado commission on higher education. The community college shall exclusively use the degree program designation name in official publications, course catalogs, diplomas, and official transcripts.
(2) Successful completion of an associate of arts or associate of science degree with academic designation does not guarantee the degree holder admission to a four-year state-supported institution of higher education; nor does it guarantee the degree holder automatic transfer of credits unless the degree holder has fulfilled the requirements of an existing statewide transfer agreement.
(3) Pursuant to section 23-60-213, Red Rocks community college may offer a graduate program in physician assistant studies.
(4) (a) Subject to the requirements of section 23-1-107, a community college that is part of the state system of community and technical colleges may, with board approval, offer a bachelor of applied science degree. A community college may request authority to offer more than one bachelor of applied science degree program. In considering whether to approve a request by a community college to offer a bachelor of applied science degree, the board shall consider student and workforce demand, cost effectiveness for the students, the community college system, and the state, and accreditation and licensing requirements.
(b) The board shall notify the Colorado commission on higher education of each bachelor of applied science degree program that the board approves pursuant to this subsection (4).
(5) Subject to the requirements of sections 23-1-113.7 and 23-1-107, a community college that is part of the state system of community and technical colleges established and governed by this part 2 may, with board approval, offer a bachelor of science degree in nursing as a completion degree to students who have or are pursuing an associate degree in nursing or a practical nursing certificate. In considering whether to approve a request by a community college to offer a bachelor of science in nursing as a completion degree, the board shall consider student and workforce demand, cost effectiveness for the students, and accreditation and licensing requirements. The board shall provide such information to the Colorado commission on higher education and solicit the commission's input in a joint meeting of the board and the commission. A community college that is seeking board approval shall provide the board with data regarding its current partnerships with existing bachelor of science nursing degree programs and its plans to continue such partnerships. At least ninety days prior to requesting board approval to offer a bachelor of science degree in nursing as a completion degree, the community college seeking such board approval shall provide notice to the Colorado commission on higher education and all state public and nonpublic institutions of higher education.
C.R.S. § 23-60-212 Northeastern junior college - golf course and restaurant - positions of employment
23-60-212. Northeastern junior college - golf course and restaurant - positions of employment. Positions of employment for the operation of the golf course and restaurant that are owned and operated by Northeastern junior college and open to the public, known commonly as the "Northeastern 18" and the "Plainsman Grill and Steakhouse", and any successor businesses, are exempt from the state personnel system.
C.R.S. § 23-60-213 Red Rocks community college - physician assistant master's program
23-60-213. Red Rocks community college - physician assistant master's program. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, Red Rocks community college is authorized to confer a graduate degree upon a student who completes the physician assistant studies program and shall seek accreditation for the program.
C.R.S. § 23-60-214 Develop short-term degree nursing programs - appropriation - repeal
23-60-214. Develop short-term degree nursing programs - appropriation - repeal. (1) For the 2023-24 state fiscal year, the general assembly shall appropriate to the department of higher education for allocation by the board five million dollars from the general fund to establish two new short-term degree nursing programs at community or technical colleges described in section 23-60-205. The funds must be used for the following purposes, as applicable, to support the expansion of short-term degree nursing programs:
(a) New short-term degree program curriculum development;
(b) New short-term degree program equipment and supplies;
(c) New short-term degree program implementation, including accreditation costs; and
(d) New short-term degree administration costs, including reporting on an annual basis until all funds are expended.
(2) Any unexpended money remaining at the end of the 2023-24 state fiscal year from the appropriation pursuant to subsection (1) of this section:
(a) Does not revert to the general fund or any other fund;
(b) May be used by the department of higher education in the 2024-25 or 2025-26 state fiscal year without further appropriation; and
(c) Must not be used for any purpose other than the purposes set forth in this section.
(3) This section is repealed, effective July 1, 2027.
C.R.S. § 23-60-301 Supervision of occupational education
23-60-301. Supervision of occupational education. The director of occupational education shall supervise the administration of the occupational education programs of the state and upon approval of the board shall determine the allocation and distribution of state and federal vocational education funds to the community and technical colleges, local college districts, individual school districts, and other appropriate state and local educational agencies and institutions.
C.R.S. § 23-60-302 Approval for postsecondary occupational programs
23-60-302. Approval for postsecondary occupational programs. The board shall review each proposal by any board of cooperative services for the establishment of any new postsecondary program of occupational education and shall transmit its decision thereon to such board of cooperative services within ninety days after receipt of such proposal. No board of cooperative services shall establish a new postsecondary program of occupational education without first obtaining approval from the board.
C.R.S. § 23-60-303 Acceptance of congressional acts
23-60-303. Acceptance of congressional acts. (1) The state of Colorado accepts the provisions, terms, and conditions of the acts of the congress of the United States, known as the "Smith-Hughes Vocational Education Act" (Pub.L. 347), the "George-Barden Vocational Education Act of 1946" (Pub.L. 586), the "Vocational Education Act of 1963" (Pub.L. 210), and that portion of the "Manpower Development and Training Act of 1962" (Pub.L. 415) which is administered by any educational agencies, and any amendments enacted by the congress to any of said acts.
(2) The state board for community colleges and occupational education is designated as the state board for career and technical education and declared to be the sole agency for purposes of compliance with the said acts of congress and with any subsequent and future acts of congress requiring the designation of a state agency for the administration of the state plan of career and technical education and for receiving and administering funds appropriated by the congress for programs of career and technical education. The state board for community colleges and occupational education is also designated as the state approving agency pursuant to section 1771 of title 38, United States Code.
(3) The state treasurer is hereby appointed custodian of the funds due and payable to the state of Colorado by the said acts of congress and is authorized to pay out such funds on warrants drawn by the controller on the order of the board.
C.R.S. § 23-60-304 Plans - development and implementation - credentialing - fees
23-60-304. Plans - development and implementation - credentialing - fees. (1) The board shall prepare state plans for occupational education in this state that are required for compliance with any acts of congress which require a state plan for career and technical education and shall prepare or approve such further plans for occupational education programs as it deems necessary.
(2) The board shall provide for the implementation of state plans for occupational education and for this purpose may enter into contracts with or purchase services from the governing bodies of school districts, boards of cooperative services, local college districts, other approved local educational agencies, state institutions of higher education, private vocational schools that have been approved under the provisions of article 64 of this title 23, and other appropriate agencies and institutions.
(3) (a) The state plans for occupational education shall include provisions relating to the training of teachers and administrators of occupational subjects and programs, and the board shall take steps to implement these provisions. The board shall also establish minimum qualifications necessary for teachers of occupational subjects, teacher-trainers, supervisors, directors, occupational counseling specialists, and others having responsibilities in connection with occupational education at both the secondary and postsecondary levels and shall certify these qualifications to the department of education.
(b) Credentials to teach an occupational subject or program shall be issued as follows:
(I) The board shall issue a credential to a person specified in this subsection (3) who teaches an occupational subject or program at the postsecondary level and who meets the established minimum qualifications; except that the board may delegate to a postsecondary institution the authority to issue the credential. The board shall establish and charge fees for the issuance of a credential issued pursuant to this subparagraph (I). The amount of the fee shall be determined by the board on the basis of the direct and indirect cost of providing the service. If a postsecondary institution issues a credential, that postsecondary institution may charge the fee established by the board.
(II) The department of education shall issue a credential to a person specified in this subsection (3) who has responsibility for an occupational subject or program at the secondary level and who meets the minimum qualifications established by the board. The state board of education shall establish and charge fees pursuant to sections 22-2-132 and 22-60.5-112, C.R.S., for the issuance of a credential pursuant to this subparagraph (II).
(4) (a) The board has the authority to enter into cooperative arrangements with the system of public employment offices in the state, in order to make available to appropriate educational agencies all occupational information possessed by such employment offices regarding reasonable prospects of employment in the community and elsewhere, so that such agencies may consider such information in providing occupational guidance and counseling to students and prospective students, and in determining the occupations for which persons should be trained, and in order to make available to the public employment offices information possessed by guidance and counseling personnel regarding the qualifications of persons leaving or completing occupational education programs, so that the employment offices may be aided in the occupational guidance and placement of such persons.
dents, and in determining the occupations for which persons should be trained, and in order to make available to the public employment offices information possessed by guidance and counseling personnel regarding the qualifications of persons leaving or completing occupational education programs, so that the employment offices may be aided in the occupational guidance and placement of such persons.
(b) The board shall enter into a cooperative arrangement with the state department of human services to develop:
(I) Appropriate educational and academic training programs for participants in the Colorado works program, created in part 7 of article 2 of title 26, C.R.S., based upon the job market analysis prepared in accordance with section 26-2-712 (10), C.R.S.; and
(II) A tuition voucher system pursuant to which a participant in the Colorado works program, created in part 7 of article 2 of title 26, C.R.S., may attend courses at an institution in the state's system of community and technical colleges by using a tuition voucher.
(5) The board shall establish a comprehensive plan for the role of occupational education in support of overall state educational policy that includes improved criteria to measure the quantity, quality, and cost of occupational education in Colorado, alternative funding mechanisms for occupational education including the possibility of private sector support of specialized programming, and a determination of how the board will coordinate among the various agencies responsible for providing vocational and occupational education in Colorado. The plan shall be contained in a report to be submitted to the Colorado commission on higher education on or before January 15, 1987.
(6) The board shall enter into a cooperative arrangement with the division of fire prevention and control in the department of public safety to develop a system in which a qualified volunteer firefighter may receive a tuition voucher to attend courses at an institution in the state system of community and technical colleges in accordance with section 24-33.5-1216, C.R.S.
C.R.S. § 23-60-305 Coordination of resources
23-60-305. Coordination of resources. The board shall coordinate all resources available for the promotion of job development, job training, and job retraining in the state, including, but not limited to, secondary, postsecondary, and out-of-school or on-site work programs, and shall make available this and any other information relating to occupational education.
C.R.S. § 23-60-306 Colorado customized training program - creation - policy - functions of the state board for community colleges and occupational education - report
23-60-306. Colorado customized training program - creation - policy - functions of the state board for community colleges and occupational education - report. (1) This section shall be known and may be cited as the "Colorado Customized Training Act".
(2) (a) The general assembly hereby finds and declares:
(I) That it is the policy of this state to encourage quality economic development by providing incentives for the location of new industries or the expansion of existing firms, thereby improving employment opportunities for the citizens of this state; that skilled labor availability is a key element in new or expanding company plant location or expansion decisions; and that, during site selection negotiations, the ability to guarantee a trained local work force to match the new or expanding company's specific job skill needs is crucial to the improvement of the economic development capabilities of this state and for competition with other states offering similar programs; and
(II) That fast-track training, involving highly intensive, short-duration skill training for specific jobs, is necessary to provide the unemployed and underemployed with an economic development training program to allow them to compete for newly created jobs, and that job-specific, start-up training provides job-seekers with the skills necessary to increase their productivity, to increase their wages, and to reduce their need for public support.
(b) Therefore, it is hereby declared to be the policy of this state to promote the health, safety, opportunity for gainful employment, business opportunities, increased productivity, and general welfare of the inhabitants of this state by the creation of the Colorado customized training program.
(3) (a) There is hereby created the Colorado customized training program within the board. Except as otherwise provided in subsection (6) of this section, said program shall be operated as a joint effort with the department of local affairs and in cooperation with the department of labor and employment, the department of human services, and state and local education agencies.
(b) Training for new jobs may include any of the following or any combination thereof:
(I) Preemployment training of workers;
(II) Training of workers upon first being hired;
(III) Retraining of workers for new job openings when they have lost their previous jobs because of plant closings or have been displaced by technological changes.
(c) Training shall not be provided by the Colorado customized training program when a trained and experienced work force, seeking employment, already exists in the local labor market.
(d) Training shall be initiated by the Colorado customized training program only when the participating new or expanding company has identified specific job openings and has agreed to give any graduates of the Colorado customized training program hiring priority.
(e) The payment of all direct costs of the training programs specified in paragraph (b) of this subsection (3) shall be made from moneys available for the Colorado customized training program. Direct costs shall include:
(I) Instructor wages, travel, and per diem allowances;
(II) Lease of training equipment;
(III) Lease of training space;
(IV) Purchase of training supplies;
(V) Development of instructional materials; and
(VI) Administrative costs directly associated with each training session.
(f) Moneys of the Colorado customized training program shall not be used to pay wages or stipends to trainees during a training session.
(g) Any training session sponsored by the Colorado customized training program shall last no longer than the time required to provide local workers with specific job skills required by a participating firm.
costs directly associated with each training session.
(f) Moneys of the Colorado customized training program shall not be used to pay wages or stipends to trainees during a training session.
(g) Any training session sponsored by the Colorado customized training program shall last no longer than the time required to provide local workers with specific job skills required by a participating firm.
(h) The board and the department of local affairs shall work with business and industry representatives to jointly develop specific training programs sponsored by the Colorado customized training program for the purposes specified in paragraph (b) of this subsection (3). Such training programs shall emphasize the training or retraining of workers for the benefit of small businesses.
(i) Training programs shall not be established if such training is available through Colorado's regular vocational or technical education system or the Colorado apprenticeship and training program.
(j) Existing vocational or technical education facilities and resources shall be used in the Colorado customized training program whenever such resources are available. The Colorado customized training program shall be coordinated through existing vocational or technical education institutions.
(k) Training programs shall be designed with the direct cooperation and approval of the participating company. The participating company may be requested to contribute technical expertise, machinery, training space, moneys, and other appropriate resources in order to improve program effectiveness.
(l) Moneys available for the Colorado customized training program shall be expended for the alleviation of unemployment, underemployment, economic distress, low productivity, or employment dislocation through the initiation of economic development and advanced technology training programs. At the discretion of the board, up to one hundred percent of all moneys available for the Colorado customized training program may be transferred to the Colorado existing industry training program created by section 23-60-307, for the purpose of providing funding to meet any existing demand for training and education programs within existing industries. The board shall consider the retention and expansion of existing business and industry as a high priority when making funding decisions.
(m) Notwithstanding section 24-1-136 (11)(a)(I), beginning January 1, 1985, and each January 1 thereafter, the state board for community colleges and occupational education shall report to the joint budget committee and the legislative audit committee on the cost-effectiveness of the Colorado customized training program in assisting economic development in Colorado.
(n) Moneys available for the Colorado customized training program may be used by the board to offset partially or fully the cost of nonresident tuition at state institutions of higher education for relocated employees of companies which currently participate in the Colorado customized training program and have located new facilities in Colorado or which have expanded their operations in Colorado and for the dependents of such relocated employees.
(n.5) Moneys may be available from the Colorado customized training program for use in training potential employees, establishing programs related to training, and helping companies to train employees.
ipate in the Colorado customized training program and have located new facilities in Colorado or which have expanded their operations in Colorado and for the dependents of such relocated employees.
(n.5) Moneys may be available from the Colorado customized training program for use in training potential employees, establishing programs related to training, and helping companies to train employees.
(o) Recognizing that customized training is a matter of statewide concern, the commission shall establish policies pursuant to section 23-1-105 to allow for annual general funding recommendations for customized training programs which are not otherwise funded under this section.
(4) The state board for community colleges and occupational education is authorized to accept, receive, and expend grants, gifts, and moneys from any source for the purpose of implementing its duties and functions under this section.
(5) Part 1 of article 8 of this title 23, concerning state assistance for career and technical education program support, does not apply to the Colorado customized training program.
(6) On and after July 1, 2000, the Colorado office of economic development shall execute, administer, perform, and enforce the rights, powers, duties, functions, and obligations previously vested in the department of local affairs under this section.
C.R.S. § 23-60-307 Colorado existing industry training program - creation - policy - functions of the state board for community colleges and occupational education
23-60-307. Colorado existing industry training program - creation - policy - functions of the state board for community colleges and occupational education. (1) This section shall be known and may be cited as the "Colorado Existing Industry Training Act".
(2) (a) The general assembly hereby finds and declares:
(I) That it is the policy of this state to maintain our economic health and vitality by ensuring the availability of a skilled labor force by assisting existing Colorado companies, especially ones undergoing major technological change, to train and retrain their workers for specific jobs and thereby keep our industries profitable and competitive; and
(II) That job-specific, existing industry training is necessary to ensure job retention for workers currently employed and improve job opportunities for our citizens newly entering the job market by providing workers with enhanced skills necessary to increase their competency, to remain employed, and to prevent worker dislocation including the subsequent need for public support; and
(III) That technical assistance can be made available by our industries to our training institutions, since such institutions do not have the resources to constantly upgrade or buy new equipment and to maintain the sophisticated plant environments currently found in industry.
(b) Therefore, it is hereby declared to be the policy of this state to promote the health, safety, opportunity for gainful employment, business opportunities, increased productivity, and general welfare of the inhabitants of this state by the creation of the Colorado existing industry training program.
(3) (a) There is hereby created the Colorado existing industry training program within the state board for community colleges and occupational education. Said program shall be jointly administered by the state board of community colleges and occupational education and the Colorado office of economic development in cooperation with the department of labor and employment, governor's job training office, state and local education agencies and private industry councils (in the planning and review process), and approved joint apprenticeship programs.
(b) The program shall provide training or retraining workers for companies being affected by major technological change or for situations where training is deemed crucial for the company and for worker retention. The program shall give first priority to Colorado-based industries which are being affected by technological change, causing a decline in business which may result in dislocation of its work force by imminent layoffs which may impact the community where the company is located. No preference in selection shall be given based on the location of a business in the state. The determinations required by this paragraph (b) shall be made after considering the financial condition of applicant companies, on-site visits to applicant companies, and joint evaluations thereof by the state board for community colleges and occupational education and the Colorado office of economic development as joint operators of the program. Training or retraining under the program may include any of the following or any combination thereof:
(I) Training for permanent, nonretail sector jobs which have significant career opportunities and require substantive instruction;
(II) Upgrade training or retraining of workers in situations where training is required for continued employment and to minimize worker dislocation.
(c) A company must agree to act as sponsor in the development and implementation of the training program.
on thereof:
(I) Training for permanent, nonretail sector jobs which have significant career opportunities and require substantive instruction;
(II) Upgrade training or retraining of workers in situations where training is required for continued employment and to minimize worker dislocation.
(c) A company must agree to act as sponsor in the development and implementation of the training program.
(d) Training shall be nonduplicative of existing course offerings provided by the community college or vocational-technical institution in the local area, whenever possible; except that the community college or vocational-technical institution shall contract with other approved training entities, public or private, or both, where said entities can provide the training at less cost.
(e) The payment of all direct costs of training programs specified in paragraph (b) of this subsection (3) shall be made from moneys available for the Colorado existing industry training program. Direct training costs shall include:
(I) Assessment and testing;
(II) Instructor wages, per diem, and travel;
(III) Curriculum development and training materials;
(IV) Lease of training equipment and training space.
(f) Moneys of the Colorado existing industry training program shall not be used to pay wages or stipends to trainees during a training session.
(g) Training assistance shall be encouraged for small and rural companies, although not limited to such companies.
(h) Forty percent of training costs must be financed by the sponsoring company in cash or in-kind expenditures. The company shall also be encouraged to participate with in-kind contributions of training space, training equipment, training supplies, and technical assistance.
(i) Training programs shall be designed with the direct participation of the sponsoring company.
(j) Any training session sponsored by the Colorado existing industry training program shall last no longer than the time required to provide workers with the job skills required by the sponsoring company.
(k) Moneys available for the Colorado existing industry training program shall be expended for the prevention of unemployment to minimize worker dislocation.
(l) and (m) Repealed.
(n) Moneys available for the Colorado existing industry training program may be used to fund mobile learning labs, which provide employers with a flexible delivery option for on-site training.
(4) There is hereby created in the state treasury the Colorado existing industry training cash fund that shall consist of all moneys credited thereto pursuant to this subsection (4) and as otherwise provided by law. The general assembly shall make annual appropriations for fiscal years commencing on or after July 1, 1990, from the Colorado existing industry training cash fund to the state board for community colleges and occupational education for allocation to the Colorado existing industry training program for the implementation of this section.
(5) The state board of community colleges and occupational education is authorized to accept, receive, and expend grants, gifts, and moneys from any source for the purpose of implementing its duties and functions under this section.
(6) Part 1 of article 8 of this title 23, concerning state assistance for career and technical education program support, does not apply to the Colorado existing industry training program.
C.R.S. § 23-60-501 Transfer of funds, property, etc
23-60-501. Transfer of funds, property, etc. (Repealed)
C.R.S. § 23-60-502 Applicability of article
23-60-502. Applicability of article. Nothing in this article shall be construed to limit the duties, functions, or responsibilities of the department of human services.
C.R.S. § 23-60-601 Certification of programs
23-60-601. Certification of programs. (1) In the interest of promoting adult literacy, the state board for community colleges and occupational education, in consultation with the college advisory councils of the community and local district colleges, shall develop and employ a program of certification for workplace literacy programs.
(2) Certification shall identify those programs, completion of which shall be accepted as satisfaction of basic skill prerequisites and placement testing for occupational training in the state system of community and local district colleges. Exemption from placement testing shall be available to anyone satisfactorily completing a certified workplace literacy program within one year of enrollment in any local district or community college. For purposes of this section, the term "basic skill prerequisites" means instruction in basic literacy and math skills which are necessary for placement in certificate and degree course programs at state community or local district colleges.
(3) The board shall develop and establish criteria, procedures, and accountability standards for the certification of workplace literacy programs. Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict the operation of any workplace literacy program which is not certified according to the terms of this section, but no community or local district college shall credit completion in the workplace of basic skill prerequisites which are not completed in a certified program.
C.R.S. § 23-60-701 Legislative declaration
23-60-701. Legislative declaration. The general assembly hereby finds and declares that, pursuant to article 64 of this title 23, there is a demonstrated need for statewide administration of private occupational schools in order to provide standards for, foster improvements of, and protect the citizens of this state against fraudulent or substandard educational services in private occupational schools. Therefore, the general assembly has determined that the overall responsibility for such administration and for ensuring compliance with article 64 of this title 23 should be placed with a division that has only this responsibility. The statutes for the implementation of this division are located in article 64 of this title 23.
C.R.S. § 23-60-702 Definitions
23-60-702. Definitions. (Repealed)
C.R.S. § 23-60-703 Private occupational school division - creation
23-60-703. Private occupational school division - creation. (Repealed)
C.R.S. § 23-60-704 Private occupational school board - established - membership
23-60-704. Private occupational school board - established - membership. (Repealed)
C.R.S. § 23-60-704.5 Duties and powers of the board
23-60-704.5. Duties and powers of the board. (Repealed)
C.R.S. § 23-60-705 Duties and powers of the division subject to the approval of the executive director
23-60-705. Duties and powers of the division subject to the approval of the executive director. (Repealed)
C.R.S. § 23-60-801 Area vocational schools - name
23-60-801. Area vocational schools - name. (Repealed)
C.R.S. § 23-60-802 Area technical colleges - credits - transfer
23-60-802. Area technical colleges - credits - transfer. On or before September 1, 2004, the board shall adopt policies to ensure that, if a student completes a program of study at an area technical college and subsequently enrolls in an institution within the state system of community and technical colleges, or transfers from an area technical college to an institution within the state system of community and technical colleges, any postsecondary course credits earned by the student while enrolled in the area technical college will apply in full at another area technical college or to an appropriate program leading to a certificate or to an associate degree at a community or technical college. Postsecondary credits earned by a student at an area technical college may be transferred into an associate degree program at a community college or into a degree program at a four-year institution of higher education as provided in section 23-1-108 (7) and the state credit transfer policies established by the Colorado commission on higher education.
C.R.S. § 23-60-803 Area technical colleges - high school diplomas - approval
23-60-803. Area technical colleges - high school diplomas - approval. (1) An area technical college may develop and implement minimum graduation requirements for a high school diploma based on the high school graduation requirements of a school district within the geographic area of the area technical college. The area technical college shall award a high school diploma to a student who successfully completes the high school graduation requirements implemented by the area technical college.
(2) A service provider may partner with an area technical college to provide courses that lead to a high school diploma or an industry-recognized credential.
(3) As used in this section, "service provider" means a nonprofit entity or for-profit entity that enters into a formal, negotiated contract for educational services with an area technical college.
C.R.S. § 23-60-901 Definitions
23-60-901. Definitions. As used in this part 9, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Accelerated certificates program" means the certificate programs that the board may design pursuant to section 23-60-902 to provide career and technical education certificates on an accelerated schedule for eligible adults who have an insufficient level of information or math literacy and are seeking to enter or re-enter the workforce or obtain better employment.
(2) "Board" means the state board for community colleges and occupational education created in section 23-60-104.
(3) "Commission" means the Colorado commission on higher education established in section 23-1-102.
(4) "Eligible adult" means an individual who is eligible to enroll in an adult education program because the individual is underemployed or unemployed.
(5) "Information or math literacy" means an individual's ability to use appropriate mathematical, literacy, or technical skills for career success.
(6) "Local district college" means a local district college operating pursuant to article 71 of this title.
C.R.S. § 23-60-902 Accelerated education and skills training - certificates
23-60-902. Accelerated education and skills training - certificates. (1) (a) The board may collaborate with the local district colleges, area technical colleges, the unit within the department of education that works with adult education, and local workforce development programs to design certificate programs through which an eligible adult who has an insufficient level of information or math literacy may obtain a career and technical education certificate on an accelerated schedule to assist him or her in entering or re-entering the workforce or in obtaining better employment. Each certificate program must consist of courses that integrate information and math literacy development programs with career and technical training. The time required to complete a certificate program must not exceed twelve months.
(b) The board shall work with the community colleges, local district colleges, and area technical colleges to design the career and technical training portion of each certificate program.
(c) The board is encouraged to collaborate with and may enter into memorandums of understanding with local district colleges, area technical colleges, the unit within the department of education that works with adult education, local workforce development programs, and other local adult education providers to ensure that the accelerated certificates program can be implemented locally.
(2) In implementing the accelerated certificates program, the board must ensure that, at a minimum, the program:
(a) Is available to eligible adults who are seeking to enter or re-enter the workforce or obtain better employment and who may benefit from information or math literacy development programs, as indicated by their scores on the developmental education assessments in English and mathematics adopted by the commission pursuant to section 23-1-113.3 or by a referral from a local adult education program or a local workforce development program;
(b) Includes only career and technical certificate programs that a student can complete within twelve months; and
(c) Requires that each course offered through the certificate programs integrates appropriate information or math literacy instruction and career and technical skills training and is jointly designed by mathematics, English, and career and technical education faculty.
(3) (a) A community college in the state system of community and technical colleges, a local district college, and an area technical college may choose to participate in the accelerated certificates program by offering one or more of the certificate programs created through the accelerated certificates program pursuant to subsection (1) of this section.
(b) An institution or program that participates in the accelerated certificates program shall, on or before July 1, 2014, and on or before July 1 each year thereafter in which the institution or program participates in the accelerated certificates program, submit to the department of higher education a report that includes the following information:
(I) The certificate programs that the institution or program offered;
(II) The number of students who enrolled in each certificate program;
(III) The number of students who successfully completed each certificate program; and
(IV) The percentage of students who obtained employment in the subject area in which they obtained a certificate or who enrolled for additional education in that subject area.
C.R.S. § 23-60-1001 Legislative declaration
23-60-1001. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly hereby finds and declares that:
(a) Manufacturing plays a vital role in Colorado's economy;
(b) The manufacturing sector in Colorado is diverse, with employers distributed across the state;
(c) Over five thousand nine hundred manufacturing firms employ more than one hundred twenty thousand employees and contribute over sixteen billion dollars annually to Colorado's economy; and
(d) Both durable and consumable goods are manufactured in Colorado, including products such as medical instruments, semiconductors and other information technology products, plastics, aviation equipment components, chemicals, and food products requiring specialized processes.
(2) The general assembly further finds that:
(a) The promise and challenge of sustaining growth in Colorado's manufacturing sector presents special difficulties due to the scope and diversity of the industry;
(b) Manufacturing sector employers have increased reliance on automated and computer-integrated control processes and "lean" manufacturing principles;
(c) Workers in this employment environment need foundational knowledge, specialized skills, portable production skills, as well as flexibility and adaptability in work habits;
(d) This has resulted in a shortfall in the quantity and quality of the pool of workers who can succeed in the manufacturing sector; and
(e) Because manufacturing in Colorado is a dynamic and evolving economic engine for the state, the challenges in preparing a pipeline of skilled employees to work in the manufacturing sector must be addressed, and current and future Colorado workers must be aware of the opportunities in the industry and the career pathway to achieve employment in the manufacturing sector.
(3) Therefore, the general assembly finds and declares that developing a manufacturing career pathway for Colorado citizens will:
(a) Increase the number of Colorado citizens accessing postsecondary education;
(b) Increase the number of Colorado citizens completing degrees and other credentials;
(c) Decrease the need for remediation at the postsecondary level;
(d) Increase entry into employment and increase wages over time; and
(e) Create better transitions in educational programs for students in the manufacturing career pathway from high school to college, from adult education to postsecondary credit, and from community colleges to four-year institutions of higher education or into employment.
C.R.S. § 23-60-1002 Definitions
23-60-1002. Definitions. As used in this part 10, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Board" means the state board for community colleges and occupational education created in section 23-60-104.
(2) "Career pathway" means a series of connected education and training strategies and support services that enable individuals to secure industry-relevant skills and certification where applicable, and to obtain employment within an occupational area and to advance to higher levels of future education and employment.
(3) "Manufacturing sector" means establishments, including existing and emerging manufacturing sector partnerships, engaged in the mechanical, physical, or chemical transformation of materials, substances, or components into new products. "Manufacturing sector" includes the employees who plan, manage, and perform the processing of materials into intermediate or final products and related professionals and technical support activities, including production planning and control, maintenance, and manufacturing process engineering.
(4) "Manufacturing sector partnership" means a collaboration of business and industry, in partnership with public workforce development, economic development, and education partners, to ensure that workers are prepared to meet the growing demands of the manufacturing industry sector within a geographic area.
(5) "Stackable certificates" means a sequence of credentials, each of which is recognized by employers and provides a gateway to employment and matriculation into a technical degree or advanced study in a field.
C.R.S. § 23-60-1003 Manufacturing career pathway - design
23-60-1003. Manufacturing career pathway - design. (1) No later than the 2014-15 academic year, the board, after consulting with local district colleges and area technical colleges, in collaboration with the department of labor and employment, the department of higher education, the department of education, and the state work force development council, created in section 24-46.3-101, C.R.S., shall design a career pathway for students within the manufacturing sector. The manufacturing career pathway shall connect school districts, local district colleges, area technical colleges, community colleges, and four-year institutions of higher education with adult education programs, local workforce development programs, and regional manufacturing sector partnerships, and will allow a student to earn income while progressing along the career pathway.
(2) The manufacturing career pathway must include industry-validated stackable certifications and multiple entry and exit points that allow students of all ages to seek additional opportunities in the manufacturing sector. The manufacturing career pathway designed by the board must include, but need not be limited to, the following components:
(a) Alignment with the skills and requirements that state and local manufacturing sector employers, through manufacturing sector partnerships, determine are necessary for career progression in high-demand occupations within the manufacturing sector;
(b) A full range of middle school, secondary, adult education, and postsecondary education options, with a nonduplicative, clearly articulated course progression from one level of instruction to the next, with opportunities to earn postsecondary credits, maximize credit for prior learning, and secure industry-validated credentials;
(c) Technical skill assessments at multiple points in the manufacturing career pathway that lead to industry certifications or other value in employment, including advanced placement into a higher level of training;
(d) Academic and career counseling resources, best practices in wraparound support services, particularly at transition points along the manufacturing career pathway, and support and development of individual career and academic plans; and
(e) Curriculum and instructional strategies that are appropriate for adult students and that embed learning and skill building in a work-related context.
C.R.S. § 23-60-1004 Online information - manufacturing career pathway
23-60-1004. Online information - manufacturing career pathway. (1) After the design of the manufacturing career pathway is completed pursuant to section 23-60-1003, the department of higher education, in collaboration with the department of labor and employment, shall post information concerning the career pathway on the state-provided, free online career, education, and training resource created pursuant to section 24-46.3-106. The following information must be included:
(a) Manufacturing sector career awareness;
(b) Salary and wage information for manufacturing sector careers;
(c) The manufacturing sector employment forecast;
(d) Information on programs within the manufacturing career pathway, services provided, and financial aid opportunities for students; and
(e) Online student support services.
C.R.S. § 23-60-1201 Support for in-demand short-term credentials program - created - report - appropriation - definitions - repeal
23-60-1201. Support for in-demand short-term credentials program - created - report - appropriation - definitions - repeal. (1) Subject to available appropriations, the board, in coordination with its career and technical education role and mission as Colorado's state administrator of the federal "Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006", 20 U.S.C. sec. 2301 et seq., as amended, shall administer the in-demand short-term credentials program to support the expansion of the number of available and qualified professionals who are able to meet Colorado's in-demand workforce needs.
(2) The board shall allocate money to an eligible institution based on the number of students enrolled in eligible programs for state fiscal years 2023-24 through 2025-26 to provide assistance to students for eligible expenses that support their enrollment in eligible programs.
(3) An eligible institution that receives funds pursuant to the program shall provide employment eligibility requirements to students who express interest in participating in the eligible program prior to the student's admission to the program, in accordance with the federal "Higher Education Act of 1965", as amended, and regulations adopted in accordance with the act.
(4) The program begins no later than the start of the 2023-24 academic year.
(5) (a) A student participating in the program shall complete and submit the free application for federal student aid or Colorado application for state financial aid.
(b) Any financial aid received pursuant to subsection (5)(a) of this section, and any other financial aid or scholarships received by the student, must be fully applied to the student's cost of attendance before program resources are applied to the student's eligible expenses.
(6) (a) (I) For the 2023-24 state fiscal year, the general assembly shall appropriate to the department of higher education for allocation by the board thirty-eight million six hundred thousand dollars from the general fund for the program, of which not more than eighty thousand dollars may be used for purposes of marketing the program and not more than one percent may be used for administration pursuant to this section.
(II) Any unexpended money from the appropriation pursuant to this subsection (6)(a) must be used to pay for expenses that are not eligible expenses but are related to a student's housing, transportation, child or dependent care, and food expenses.
(b) Any unexpended money remaining from the appropriation pursuant to this subsection (6) at the end of the 2023-24 state fiscal year:
(I) Does not revert to the general fund or any other fund;
(II) May be used by the board in the 2024-25 or 2025-26 state fiscal year without further appropriation; and
(III) Must not be used for any purpose other than the purposes set forth in this section.
es.
(b) Any unexpended money remaining from the appropriation pursuant to this subsection (6) at the end of the 2023-24 state fiscal year:
(I) Does not revert to the general fund or any other fund;
(II) May be used by the board in the 2024-25 or 2025-26 state fiscal year without further appropriation; and
(III) Must not be used for any purpose other than the purposes set forth in this section.
(7) (a) On or before January 1, 2024, and on or before every January 1 thereafter, the board shall submit a report to the Colorado commission on higher education, the education committees of the house of representatives and the senate, or any successor committees, and the joint budget committee. The report must include:
(I) The number of students awarded funds pursuant to the program in each eligible program, in total and disaggregated by any factors determined by the board;
(II) If available, the number of students awarded funds pursuant to the program who continued enrollment in the eligible program in a subsequent academic term, in total and disaggregated by any factors determined by the board;
(III) If available, the number of students awarded funds pursuant to the program who completed an eligible program, in total and disaggregated by any factors determined by the board;
(IV) If available, employment and earnings outcomes for students awarded funds pursuant to the program, in total and disaggregated by any factors determined by the board; and
(V) A detailed statement of the allocation of funds for the program, including costs incurred to administer the program.
(b) Beginning in 2024 and each year thereafter, the Colorado commission on higher education shall submit a report compiling the data collected pursuant to subsection (7)(a) of this section to the senate and house of representatives education committees, or their successor committees, during the hearings held pursuant to the "SMART Act", part 2 of article 7 of title 2.
(c) Notwithstanding section 24-1-136 (11)(a)(I), the reporting requirement in this subsection (7) continues indefinitely.
(8) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
(a) "Eligible expenses" means tuition, fees, books, materials, or supplies for eligible programs.
(b) "Eligible institution" means a community or technical college described in section 23-60-205, an area technical college defined in section 23-60-103 (1), a local district college defined in section 23-71-102 (1), and Colorado Mesa university established pursuant to section 23-53-101.
(c) "Eligible program" means an in-demand credential in early childhood, education, law enforcement, fire and forestry, construction, or nursing that is two years or less in duration.
(d) "Program" means the in-demand short-term credentials program described in subsection (1) of this section.
(9) This section is repealed, effective July 1, 2027.
Source: Open US Law by Vaquill AI (CC BY 4.0)URL: https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2024-title-23.docxFetched: 10/6/2026