Office of Government Relations

Calendar Notification of Your Bill Dossier

Bill HB25-1169 - A. Boesenecker | J. Mabrey / J. Gonzales | T. Exum Housing Developments on Faith and Educational Land
   Monday, March 17 2025
   THIRD READING OF BILLS - FINAL PASSAGE
   (1) in house calendar.

Bill HB25-1174 - K. Brown | E. Sirota / J. Bridges | I. Jodeh Reimbursement Requirements for Health Insurers
   Monday, March 17 2025
   GENERAL ORDERS - SECOND READING OF BILLS
   (10) in house calendar.

Bill SB25-004 - F. Winter | J. Marchman / J. Willford | L. Garcia Regulating Child Care Center Fees
   Monday, March 17 2025
   CONSIDERATION OF HOUSE AMENDMENTS TO SENATE BILLS
   (1) in senate calendar.

Bill SB25-077 - C. Kipp | J. Rich / M. Carter | M. Soper Modifications to Colorado Open Records Act
   Monday, March 17 2025
   GENERAL ORDERS - SECOND READING OF BILLS
   (14) in house calendar.

Bill SB25-045 - J. Marchman / K. McCormick | A. Boesenecker Health-Care Payment System Analysis
   Wednesday, March 19 2025
   Health & Human Services
   1:30 p.m. Room 0112
   (1) in house calendar.

Bill SB25-087 - J. Marchman / R. Stewart | M. Brooks Academic Adjustments in Higher Education
   Thursday, March 20 2025
   Education
   1:30 p.m. Room 0107
   (2) in house calendar.

Bill SB25-085 - C. Kipp | J. Carson / M. Rutinel | A. Paschal Health-Related Research Test Subjects
   Wednesday, March 26 2025
   Health & Human Services
   1:30 p.m. Room 0112
   (2) in house calendar.

Bill SB25-154 - C. Kipp / E. Hamrick Access to Educator Pathways
   Thursday, April 10 2025
   Education
   1:30 p.m. Room 0107
   (1) in house calendar.

Bill HB25-1005 - NOT ON CALENDAR

Bill HB25-1038 - NOT ON CALENDAR

Bill HB25-1041 - NOT ON CALENDAR

Bill HB25-1075 - NOT ON CALENDAR

Bill HB25-1090 - NOT ON CALENDAR

Bill HB25-1130 - NOT ON CALENDAR

Bill HB25-1176 - NOT ON CALENDAR

Bill HB25-1186 - NOT ON CALENDAR

Bill HB25-1263 - NOT ON CALENDAR

Bill SB25-050 - NOT ON CALENDAR

Bill SB25-120 - NOT ON CALENDAR


BILL HB25-1005

Short Title: Tax Incentive for Film Festivals
Sponsors: M. Duran (D) | B. Titone (D) / J. Amabile (D) | M. Baisley (R)

The bill creates a new refundable tax credit only if at least one qualified film festival entity with a multi-decade operating history and a verifiable track record of attracting 100,000 or more in-person ticket sales and over 10,000 out-of-state and international attendees (global film festival) commences the relocation of the festival to Colorado by January 1, 2026. Upon relocation, for calendar years commencing on or after January 1, 2027, but before January 1, 2037, the maximum aggregate amount of refundable tax credits that any qualified global film festival entity is eligible to receive is $34 million and the maximum aggregate amount that all existing or small Colorado festival entities collectively may receive is $5 million. A film festival entity is allowed a tax credit for each tax year in which the film festival entity hosts a film festival in Colorado, and may be allowed an additional tax credit in the subsequent tax year with respect to any qualified expenditures incurred in the year the film festival entity hosted the film festival in Colorado.

(Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.)


(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)



Status
3/13/2025 House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments


BILL HB25-1038

Short Title: Postsecondary Credit Transfer Website
Sponsors: E. Hamrick (D) / J. Marchman (D)

The bill requires the department of higher education (department), subject to available appropriations, to develop and maintain a free, publicly accessible online platform (platform) to provide current and potential students who are pursuing postsecondary education in Colorado with relevant information about which credits and courses, work-related experiences, and prior learning opportunities are transferable to or between the state's public institutions of higher education (institution).

On or before January 1, 2026, an institution shall submit to the department for inclusion in the platform:

Using the data provided by an institution, the department shall include in the platform information about the transferability to or between institutions for several sources of postsecondary academic credit. These sources include courses in the statewide common course numbering system, now referred to as the guaranteed transfer pathway matrix, and credits earned through various standardized tests.

A not-for-profit private institution of higher education may, but is not required to, submit applicable information for inclusion in the platform.


(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)



Status
2/13/2025 House Committee on Education Refer Amended to Appropriations


BILL HB25-1041

Short Title: Student Athlete Name Image or Likeness
Sponsors: L. Smith (D) / J. Coleman (D) | J. Amabile (D)

Under current law, there are requirements of an athletic association, an institution of higher education, and a student athlete regarding a student athlete's compensation for their name, image, or likeness. The bill extends these requirements to an individual who is eligible to engage in or may be eligible in the future to engage in any intercollegiate sport.

The bill allows an institution of higher education or athletic association to compensate a student athlete for the use of the student athlete's name, image, or likeness.

Under current law, a student athlete is prohibited from entering into a contract if it conflicts with a team contract. The bill repeals this prohibition and related provisions.

The bill requires each institution of higher education to submit to the department of higher education a copy of its annual report to the organization with authority over intercollegiate athletics, including information concerning gender- and sport-based spending.

Under the "Colorado Open Records Act", the bill exempts from the public right of inspection personally identifiable information that is contained within an agreement or contract concerning a student athlete's or prospective student athlete's name, image, or likeness, or any communication or material related to an agreement or a contract concerning a student athlete's or prospective student athlete's name, image, or likeness.

(Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.)


(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)



Status
3/14/2025 Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments


BILL HB25-1075

Short Title: Regulate Speech-Language Pathology Assistants
Sponsors: L. Garcia Sander (R) | J. Phillips (D) / B. Kirkmeyer (R) | K. Mullica (D)

Beginning January 1, 2026, the bill authorizes the certification of an individual as a speech-language pathology assistant (SLPA). The director of the division of professions and occupations (director) in the department of regulatory agencies (DORA) may certify an applicant if the applicant demonstrates that the applicant has a bachelor's degree in speech communication, speech-language pathology, or a related field and has completed an SLPA program and a clinical practicum. The bill recognizes speech-language pathology assistants (SLPA) and school speech-language pathology assistants (school SLPA) in statute. An SLPA is defined as an individual who has a bachelor's degree or higher in speech-language pathology, communications disorders and speech sciences, or any other field that includes at least 24 semester hours in speech-language hearing sciences granted by an accredited institution of higher education. Only an individual who practices as an SLPA in accordance with statute or is a school SLPA authorized by the department of education may use the title "speech-language pathology assistant" or other terms that indicate that the individual is an SLPA or a school SLPA.

An SLPA shall practice speech-language pathology only in collaboration with and under the direction and supervision of a certified speech-language pathologist (SLP). The bill establishes requirements and guidelines for an SLP supervising an SLPA.

The bill prohibits an SLPA from engaging in certain speech-language pathology tasks, such as the diagnosis of patients and preparation of a treatment plan. An SLP may be disciplined for failing to properly direct and supervise an SLPA. An SLPA is required to complete 10 hours of continuing education each year and is subject to discipline by the director for violations of statutes governing the practice of speech-language pathology by an SLPA. The bill repeals SLPA certification on September 1, 2033, subject to sunset review by DORA. The bill repeals the regulation of SLPAs on September 1, 2033, subject to sunset review by the department of regulatory agencies. The bill makes conforming amendments, including clarifying that a school SLPA authorized by the department of education to practice in schools is not automatically a DORA-certified SLPA and must apply for DORA certification.

(Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.)


(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)



Status
2/6/2025 Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Business, Labor, & Technology


BILL HB25-1090

Short Title: Protections Against Deceptive Pricing Practices
Sponsors: E. Sirota (D) | N. Ricks (D) / M. Weissman (D) | L. Cutter (D)

Section 2 of the bill:

A person does not violate the total price disclosure requirement if the person does not use deceptive, unfair, and unconscionable acts or practices related to the pricing of goods, services, or property and if the person:

A person is exempt from the bill if the person can demonstrate compliance with federal law that regulates pricing transparency for the transaction at issue and that the federal law preempts state law. Additionally, the bill does not require a landlord or landlord's agent to include, in the required disclosure, the actual amount charged for utility services provided to a tenant's dwelling unit.

A violation of the above prohibitions and requirement (violation) constitutes a deceptive, unfair, and unconscionable act or practice.

Section 2 also, along with any other remedies available by law or in equity, allows a person aggrieved by a violation to bring a civil action and send a written demand for the violation. If a person declines to make full legal tender of all fees, charges, amounts, or damages demanded or refuses to cease charging the aggrieved person within 14 days after receiving the written demand, the person is liable for the greater of: actual damages plus 18% interest, compounded annually.

Current law prohibits a written rental agreement from including a provision requiring a tenant to pay a markup or fee for a service for which the landlord is billed by a third party. Section 3 changes that provision to prohibit Section 4 prohibits the inclusion of a provision in a written rental agreement that requires a tenant to pay a fee , charge, or amount that is a violation violates a requirement under section 2 of the bill .

(Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.)


(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)



Status
3/12/2025 Senate Committee on Judiciary Lay Over Unamended - Amendment(s) Failed


BILL HB25-1130

Short Title: Labor Requirements for Government Construction Projects
Sponsors: M. Carter (D) | M. Duran (D) / J. Danielson (D)

For public projects and energy sector public works projects, current law requires that any contractor or subcontractor that will perform mechanical, electrical, or plumbing work on the project participate in an apprenticeship program that:

Currently, for energy sector public works projects, these requirements also apply to a contractor or subcontractor that employs construction laborers on the project. In addition, for energy sector public works projects, current law requires that all other contractors or subcontractors participate in a registered apprenticeship program.

Apprenticeship utilization requirements. The bill aligns the apprenticeship utilization requirements for public projects and energy sector public works projects and specifies that for both types of projects:

The bill also aligns current statutory provisions for public projects and energy sector public works projects in connection with the apprenticeship utilization requirements, including provisions that:

Project labor agreements for public projects. The bill authorizes an agency of government to incorporate a project labor agreement requirement for a public project if the project labor agreement will promote successful project delivery by securing a skilled labor force for the project and if it will promote cost-efficiency, safety, quality, and timely completion of the project. If all construction work on the public project is covered by a project labor agreement, the apprenticeship utilization requirements specified in the bill and the current statutory prevailing wage requirements for a public project do not apply to the project. The provisions in the bill regarding project labor agreements for public projects are parallel to the current statutory provisions regarding project labor agreements for energy sector public works projects. County opt in to state apprenticeship utilization and prevailing wage requirements. The bill allows a county to opt in to the state apprenticeship utilization and prevailing wage requirements. A county that intends to opt in to such requirements may request, through a process specified in the bill, that the department of personnel collaborate with the county regarding the implementation, application, and enforcement of the state apprenticeship utilization and prevailing wage requirements. The bill allows the department of personnel or other agencies of government and a county that opts in to the state apprenticeship utilization and prevailing wage requirements to enter into an intergovernmental agreement to address the rights and obligations of the parties in connection with the implementation, administration, and enforcement of such requirements.
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)



Status
3/6/2025 House Committee on Business Affairs & Labor Refer Amended to Appropriations


BILL HB25-1169

Short Title: Housing Developments on Faith and Educational Land
Sponsors: A. Boesenecker (D) | J. Mabrey (D) / J. Gonzales (D) | T. Exum (D)

The bill requires a subject jurisdiction, on or after December 31, 2026, to allow a residential development to be constructed on a qualifying property that does not contain an exempt parcel, subject to an administrative approval process.

The bill specifies that a subject jurisdiction shall not:

A subject jurisdiction shall allow the following uses in a residential development on a qualifying property:

A subject jurisdiction may condition additional uses in a residential development on the uses being allowed only on the ground floor of the residential development and the uses occupying no more than 15% of the ground floor area of the residential development.

The bill requires a faith-based organization, school district, or state college or university to notify the county assessor that a subject jurisdiction has allowed the construction of a residential development on a qualifying property within the county.


(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)



Status
3/6/2025 House Third Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments


BILL HB25-1174

Short Title: Reimbursement Requirements for Health Insurers
Sponsors: K. Brown (D) | E. Sirota (D) / J. Bridges (D) | I. Jodeh (D)

The bill sets the reimbursement rates that a health insurance carrier (carrier) may reimburse a health-care provider (provider) for covered services for the state employee group benefit plans (state group benefit plans) and for small employer group benefit plans (small group plans).

The bill prohibits a provider that is subject to the reimbursement limitations from billing or collecting payment from a person covered under a state group benefit plan or small group plan for any outstanding balance for covered services that is not reimbursed by the carrier, except for the applicable in-network coinsurance, copayment, or deductible amounts.

The bill requires a carrier to provide cost and quality of care information to the commissioner of insurance (commissioner) in the case of small group plans and to the director of the department of personnel (director) in the case of state group benefit plans, at the request of the commissioner or director, as applicable, and prohibits a carrier from entering into an agreement with a provider or third party that would restrict the carrier from providing the information.

By September 1, 2027, and by September 1 each year thereafter, the director is required to provide a report to the governor's office, the state treasurer's office, and the joint budget committee that states the amount of calculated savings in general fund expenditures (calculated savings), if any, for health plan reimbursement for the prior fiscal year as a result of the reimbursement limits for state group benefit plans. The director is also required to include in the report the cost to the department in determining the calculated savings. By September 15, 2027, and by September 15 each year thereafter, of the money from the calculated savings, the state treasurer is required to transfer an amount equal to the department's costs in determining the calculated savings to the group benefit plans expenditure savings cash fund (expenditure savings cash fund), which is created in the bill, and specified percentages of the calculated savings from the general fund to the primary care fund and to the expenditure savings cash fund.

The bill also requires the executive director of the department of health care policy and financing (state department) to conduct a study, in collaboration with specified state agencies, to determine the feasibility of establishing a similar reimbursement limit for group benefit plans offered to school district, higher education, and local government employees. The executive director is required to complete the study and report the findings to the general assembly on or before January 1, 2028. The bill allocates $500,000 from the calculated savings to a health care reimbursement feasibility study cash fund created in the bill and authorizes the state department to use the money to conduct the study.


(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)



Status
3/11/2025 House Second Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments


BILL HB25-1176

Short Title: Behavioral Health Treatment Stigma for Providers
Sponsors: R. Stewart (D) / C. Simpson (R) | D. Michaelson Jenet (D)

The bill requires the following regarding the application for a license to practice medicine in Colorado (application) and the questionnaire accompanying the form for a license renewal (questionnaire):

The bill clarifies that an individual subject to the licensing requirements of the "Colorado Medical Practice Act" is not required to disclose a physical illness, physical condition, behavioral health disorder, mental health disorder, or substance use disorder that no longer impacts the individual's ability to practice the applicable health-care profession or occupation with reasonable skill and safety to patients or clients.

Current law requires that if a health-care professional has a physical illness, physical condition, or behavioral or mental health disorder that renders the person unable to practice the applicable health-care profession or occupation with reasonable skill and safety to patients or clients, the licensee, registrant, or certificate holder shall notify the regulator that regulates the person's profession or occupation of the physical illness, physical condition, or behavioral or mental health disorder. The bill requires that a health-care professional must additionally provide notice of a substance use disorder and specifies that the health-care professional is required only to provide notice of a current physical illness, physical condition, behavioral health disorder, mental health disorder, or substance use disorder.


(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)



Status
3/6/2025 Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Health & Human Services


BILL HB25-1186

Short Title: Work-Based Learning Experiences in Higher Education
Sponsors: M. Martinez (D) | M. Lukens (D)

The bill creates the work-based learning consortium pilot program (pilot program) in the department of higher education (department). The purpose of the pilot program is to develop and expand the integration of work-based learning experiences for students enrolled in higher education.

On or before July 1, 2026, or within 90 days after the department receives sufficient funding, the department shall convene a consortium consisting of a group of representatives from institutions of higher education to:

Subject to available appropriations, at the end of the 3-year pilot program, the consortium shall complete and submit a report to the education committees of the house of representatives and the senate, or their successor committees. The report must include:

Funds appropriated to the commission on higher education (commission) may be used by the commission to cover the costs of work-based learning requirements for students who are required to complete credit-bearing work-based learning requirements to graduate from an institution of higher education.


(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)



Status
3/5/2025 House Committee on Education Refer Amended to Appropriations


BILL HB25-1263

Short Title: Graduate Medical Education Grant Program
Sponsors: A. Hartsook (R) | L. Feret (D) / M. Ball (D) | K. Mullica (D)

The bill creates the graduate medical education grant program (grant program) in the health facilities and emergency medical services division (division) within the department of public health and environment (department). The purpose of the grant program is to support the establishment of accredited residency programs at health-care facilities in Colorado that have never had a physician resident training program in order to expand physician training capacity and address the state's physician workforce shortage.

The division shall engage stakeholders, including representatives from for-profit and not-for-profit medical schools, to recommend criteria for grant eligibility and other aspects of the grant award and reporting process.

The department may seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants, or donations from private or public sources for purposes related to the grant program. The bill requires the department to include information about the grant program's role in creating new medical residency programs in the department's "SMART Act" hearings.


(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)



Status
3/11/2025 House Committee on Health & Human Services Postpone Indefinitely


BILL SB25-004

Short Title: Regulating Child Care Center Fees
Sponsors: F. Winter (D) | J. Marchman (D) / J. Willford (D) | L. Garcia (D)

The bill limits the amount a licensed child care center, family child care home, or substitute placement agency (child care center) may charge for a wait list fee or an application fee to $25. A child care center shall use a wait list fee or an application fee to cover only the administrative burdens of managing a wait list or processing an application. A child care center shall credit a deposit fee toward the family's first month of child care if the family secures a position with the child care center. For transparency and accountability to families, a child care center shall create and publish a policy for establishing fees. Each child care center shall make the information available to families in a clear and understandable format before families apply to and enroll in the child care center. Each child care center shall display the information in a prominent and conspicuous location:

The bill states that if a prospective family pays a child care center, family child care home, or neighborhood youth organization (child care program) an application fee, a deposit fee, or wait list fee and is not enrolled in the child care program after six months of paying the fee, the fee is refundable. A child care program may retain a reasonable administrative fee, as determined by the department of early childhood (department), from the refundable fee before issuing a refund to the prospective family. The prospective family must submit a written request to the child care program to receive a refund. Upon receiving the written request from the prospective family, the child care program shall refund the fees to the prospective family and may remove the prospective family from the wait list. Prospective families who are offered a child care slot with a child care program and who refuse the child care slot shall not receive a refund. If a family enrolls in a child care program and signs a contract with the child care program provider, the terms of the contract, including fees outlined in the contract, are not subject to the requirements of the bill. For transparency and accountability to prospective families, a child care program shall provide a fee schedule and the process on fee refunds to a prospective family upon:

For transparency and accountability to an enrolled family, a child care program shall provide a fee schedule and the process on fee refunds to an enrolled family upon:

A child care program may publish the fee schedule digitally on the child care program's website.

During the department of early childhood's (department) periodic inspections, or if a complaint is filed regarding fees, the department shall review the information in the child care center's policy for establishing fees to confirm the child care center is complying with the law. If the department finds the child care center is not compliant, the child care center has 30 days after the date of inspection to comply. If the child care center does not comply within 30 days after the date of inspection, the department may take further disciplinary action. The department shall not take disciplinary action against a child care program that makes a good faith administrative error or is not in compliance for the first time. The department's enforcement shall focus on deliberate violations.

(Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.)


(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)



Status
3/13/2025 House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments


BILL SB25-045

Short Title: Health-Care Payment System Analysis
Sponsors: J. Marchman (D) / K. McCormick (D) | A. Boesenecker (D)

The bill requires the Colorado school of public health to analyze draft model legislation for implementing a single-payer, nonprofit, publicly financed, and privately delivered universal health-care payment system for Colorado that directly compensates providers (analysis). The Colorado school of public health must submit a report detailing its findings to the general assembly by December 31, 2026.

The bill also creates the statewide health-care analysis collaborative (analysis collaborative) consisting of 20 members invited by the executive director of the department of health care policy and financing; 4 members of the general assembly appointed by the president of the senate, the minority leader of the senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the minority leader of the house of representatives; and the commissioner of insurance and the chief executive officer of the Colorado health benefit exchange or any designees of the commissioner and the chief executive officer. The analysis collaborative is created for the purpose of advising the Colorado school of public health during the analysis.


(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)



Status
2/24/2025 Introduced In House - Assigned to Health & Human Services


BILL SB25-050

Short Title: Racial Classifications on Government Forms
Sponsors: I. Jodeh (D)

The bill requires a form issued by the state or a local government that requests that the individual completing the form disclose the individual's race or ethnicity to include, in addition to spaces for any other racial or ethnic categories required by the federal office of management and budget, a space to indicate if the individual's race or ethnicity is Middle Eastern, North African, or South Asian.
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)



Status
3/11/2025 Senate Committee on State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Refer Amended to Appropriations


BILL SB25-077

Short Title: Modifications to Colorado Open Records Act
Sponsors: C. Kipp (D) | J. Rich (R) / M. Carter (D) | M. Soper (R)

The bill makes the following changes to the "Colorado Open Records Act" (CORA):



Status
3/13/2025 House Second Reading Laid Over Daily - No Amendments


BILL SB25-085

Short Title: Health-Related Research Test Subjects
Sponsors: C. Kipp (D) | J. Carson (R) / M. Rutinel (D) | A. Paschal (D)

The bill requires a facility that uses animals for health-related research (health-related research facility) to offer a dog or cat to an animal shelter or a pet animal rescue for the purpose of adoption before euthanizing the animal. If the health-related research facility has an internal adoption program, the facility may first offer the dog or cat for adoption through the internal adoption program before offering the dog or cat to an animal shelter or a pet animal rescue.

A health-related research facility must submit an annual report to the department of public health and environment that includes the following information for the previous year:

(Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.)


(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)



Status
3/10/2025 Introduced In House - Assigned to Health & Human Services


BILL SB25-087

Short Title: Academic Adjustments in Higher Education
Sponsors: J. Marchman (D) / R. Stewart (D) | M. Brooks (R)

The bill requires each institution of higher education (institution) in Colorado to create and adopt a policy and a process to support the ability of a prospective, admitted, or enrolled student with a disability (student) to voluntarily self-disclose the student's disability so the student can receive an academic adjustment from the institution and to engage in an interactive process with the institution to receive an academic adjustment.

The adopted policy must, at a minimum, include information that:

Each institution shall distribute the policy in an accessible format to applicants, students, parents, and faculty. The institution shall make the policy available:

Each institution shall publish the policy on the institution's website in an accessible format.

The bill describes the documentation that an admitted or enrolled a student may submit to an institution to request an academic adjustment for an institution to determine whether a student is eligible for an academic adjustment.

(Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.)


(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)



Status
3/4/2025 Introduced In House - Assigned to Education


BILL SB25-120

Short Title: Nuclear Workforce Development & Education Program
Sponsors: L. Liston (R) | J. Marchman (D) / M. Soper (R)

The bill creates the Colorado nuclear workforce development and education program (program) in the department of higher education (department) to help meet growing workforce demand in the nuclear energy sector. The bill establishes a related grant program to provide grants to institutions of higher education for the development or expansion of nuclear engineering degree or certificate programs or course offerings. The Colorado nuclear workforce development and education council shall advise and assist the department regarding the grant program's implementation and evaluation.

The department may seek, accept, and expend gifts, grants, and donations for program-related purposes. The state treasurer shall credit the gifts, grants, and donations to the Colorado workforce development and education cash fund (cash fund). The general assembly shall not appropriate general fund dollars to implement or maintain program operations or grant awards. The department shall begin awarding grants only after the balance of the cash fund reaches or exceeds $500,000.

The bill imposes requirements to report to the general assembly about the program's implementation and use of funds. The bill repeals the program, effective September 1, 2032, unless the program is extended pursuant to a sunset review.


(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)



Status
3/13/2025 Senate Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources Refer Amended to Appropriations


BILL SB25-154

Short Title: Access to Educator Pathways
Sponsors: C. Kipp (D) / E. Hamrick (D)

The bill requires an early childhood special education, elementary, or special education generalist licensure endorsement candidate who meets the minimum coursework standards by successfully completing a content-based or a performance-based assessment (assessments) to successfully complete certain assessments. A candidate for an early childhood special education licensure endorsement must successfully complete no more than 2 assessments that measure:

A candidate for an elementary licensure endorsement must successfully complete no more than 2 assessments that measure:

A candidate for a special education generalist licensure endorsement must successfully complete no more than 2 assessments that measure:

The bill allows a currently licensed Colorado teacher seeking to add an early childhood education endorsement, early childhood special education endorsement, elementary education endorsement, or special education generalist endorsement may demonstrate professional competencies by submitting evidence of achieving sufficiently high education coursework grades on coursework aligned with relevant standards as approved by the department of education.

The bill clarifies that 4-year institutions of higher education that offer programs of off-campus instruction and that have courses included in the guaranteed transfer pathway matrix or that are part of a statewide degree transfer agreement may participate in the teacher recruitment education and preparation program.

(Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.)


(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)



Status
3/11/2025 Introduced In House - Assigned to Education