summary
Introduced
01/14/2026
01/14/2026
In Committee
02/05/2026
02/05/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
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 student outcomes and alignment with workforce needs. The Department of Higher Education will identify institutions that meet specific outcome standards, which will be developed with input from an advisory committee composed of various stakeholders, including representatives from different types of institutions, researchers, students, and workforce development experts. These standards will focus on metrics like graduation, credential completion, retention, transfer success, adult learner outcomes, and labor market results, utilizing existing data and ensuring privacy. Institutions that meet these standards will be notified and given the option to accept the designation, with their names then posted on the department's website and reported to the General Assembly. The advisory committee will also submit an annual report on outcome standards and recommendations, which will be included in the department's "SMART Act" hearing and shared with the Colorado Commission on Higher Education and institutional governing boards. Importantly, this designation does not guarantee additional state funding.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Education
Sponsors (3)
Last Action
House Committee on Education Refer Amended to Appropriations (on 02/05/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/HB26-1006 |
| House Education Amendment L.003 | https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_amendments/17787/download |
| House Education Amendment L.002 | https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_amendments/17788/download |
| House Education Amendment L.001 | https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_amendments/17789/download |
| Fiscal Note FN1 | https://leg.colorado.gov/bill_files/111003/download |
| BillText | https://s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/beta.leg.colorado.gov/69230fb2266da540d99e1a26af82d94a |
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