summary
Introduced
01/14/2026
01/14/2026
In Committee
03/30/2026
03/30/2026
Crossed Over
03/30/2026
03/30/2026
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
The bill requires the department of higher education (department) to: ! Identify institutions of higher education (institutions) that meet the definition and outcome standards to be designated as a thriving institution; ! Notify each institution that meets the outcome standards to be designated as a thriving institution and request the institution to respond within 10 calendar days with the institution's decision of whether to be recognized as a thriving institution; ! Post on the department's website the names of the institutions that earn a thriving institution designation and agree to be listed as a thriving institution; and ! Notify the general assembly of the names of the institutions that are recognized as thriving institutions. The bill requires the department to establish an advisory committee to provide input to the department on the outcome and recognition standards, and continuous improvements set by the department to identify institutions that meet the requirements for one or more thriving institution designations. The bill requires the advisory committee to submit a report to the department summarizing the outcome standards for thriving institution designations determined by the advisory committee, practices and continuous improvement efforts, and recommendations for policy or resource alignment to support the state's attainment and workforce goals. The department is required to include this report as part of its "SMART Act" hearing and submit the report to the Colorado commission on higher education and to each institution of higher education's governing board.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a "Thriving Institution Designation" for public higher education institutions in Colorado, aiming to recognize and encourage strong performance in areas critical to the state's prosperity and workforce development. The Department of Higher Education (department) will be responsible for identifying institutions that meet specific outcome standards, which will be developed with input from an advisory committee composed of representatives from various types of institutions, student success experts, and business and workforce development professionals. These outcome standards will focus on student success, including degree completion, retention, and labor market outcomes, and will rely on existing data without requiring new collection. Institutions that meet these standards will be notified and given the opportunity to be recognized, with their names publicly posted on the department's website and reported to the General Assembly. The advisory committee will also submit a report on the outcome standards and recommendations for improvement, which will be included in the department's "SMART Act" hearing. It's important to note that this designation does not guarantee additional state funding.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Education
Sponsors (21)
Matt Martinez (D)*,
Dylan Roberts (D)*,
Elizabeth Velasco (D)*,
Jennifer Bacon (D),
Andrew Boesenecker (D),
Sean Camacho (D),
Chad Clifford (D),
Monica Duran (D),
Lorena García (D),
Eliza Hamrick (D),
Jamie Jackson (D),
Mandy Lindsay (D),
Meghan Lukens (D),
Julie McCluskie (D),
Kenny Nguyen (D),
Jacqueline Phillips (D),
Manny Rutinel (D),
Katie Stewart (D),
Tammy Story (D),
Brianna Titone (D),
Alex Valdez (D),
Last Action
Senate Education Committee Hearing (13:30:00 4/27/2026 SCR 357) (on 04/27/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
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