SB 25-315: Postsecondary & Workforce Readiness Programs - Colorado

Revised (05/01/2025) → PA1 (04/29/2025) · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill text was updated to reflect a committee version (PREAMENDED) rather than a revised version, indicating that amendments have not yet been adopted on second reading. The substantive content shows additions to Section 101 regarding postsecondary and workforce readiness programs, specifically adding new eligibility criteria for students (earning 12 credits, participating in work-based learning) and including findings from a financial study about equitable access to programs.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include specific student eligibility criteria and findings from a financial study regarding equitable access to postsecondary and workforce readiness programs.

ELIGIBILITY

Added new eligibility criteria for students, including earning 12 postsecondary credits toward a credential or participating in high-quality work-based learning opportunities.

DEFINITION

Added findings from a postsecondary and workforce readiness financial study, noting that only 54% of the state's 178 school districts participated in funded programs, highlighting inequitable access.

TECHNICAL

Changed document status from 'REVISED' to 'PREAMENDED' and updated dates to reflect committee amendments not yet adopted on second reading.

Rerevised (05/02/2025) → Revised (05/01/2025) · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill text was updated to reflect its current legislative status, changing from 'Rerevised' to 'Revised' and updating the amendment adoption language. Additionally, new text was added to the bill's purpose section to establish a specific goal that 100% of high school graduates from the class of 2029 and thereafter will earn at least one quality, in-demand non-degree credential.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded to include a specific quantitative goal for high school graduates regarding non-degree credential attainment starting with the class of 2029.

TECHNICAL

Header text changed from 'REREVISED' to 'REVISED' and updated the amendment adoption language to reflect 'Second Reading' status.

Removed the list of House sponsors from the bill text.

REQUIREMENT

Added a new goal requiring 100% of high school graduates from the class of 2029 and subsequent classes to earn at least one quality, in-demand non-degree credential.

PA2 (05/01/2025) → Rerevised (05/02/2025) · 4 edits

MODERATE

The bill was revised to include all amendments adopted in the second house, expanding the list of House sponsors and adding a reading status note. The substantive policy text regarding postsecondary readiness goals was removed in this revision, likely indicating that the specific goal-setting language was either finalized elsewhere or the revision focuses on procedural updates rather than policy changes.

TECHNICAL

Added '3rd Reading Unamended' and 'Amended 2nd Reading' status notes with dates, indicating the bill's legislative progress.

Added seven new House sponsors (Bacon, Boesenecker, Camacho, Carter, Duran, Froelich, Gonzalez R., Hamrick, Lieder, Lindsay, Phillips, Smith, Valdez) to the House sponsorship list.

Removed the 'PREAMENDED' header and replaced it with 'REREVISED' to reflect that all amendments have been adopted.

REQUIREMENT

Removed specific policy text regarding the Department's goal for the 2029 high school graduating class to achieve postsecondary readiness metrics.

Final Act (05/14/2025) → PA2 (05/01/2025) · 5 edits

MODERATE

This bill updates Colorado's postsecondary and workforce readiness funding model by replacing three older programs with a new three-tier system: start-up funding (2025-2028), innovation grants (2028+), and sustain funding (for verified student outcomes). The changes aim to streamline funding, improve equity in program access, and better align resources with student success metrics.

Scope change

The bill expands eligibility for innovation grants to include schools with low attainment on postsecondary readiness indicators and repeals two previous programs after the 2025-26 budget year.

FISCAL

Replaced the old concurrent enrollment expansion and John W. Buckner automatic enrollment grant programs with a new three-tier funding model (start-up, innovation, and sustain funding).

ELIGIBILITY

Innovation grant eligibility now includes schools required to adopt priority improvement or turnaround plans that demonstrate low attainment on postsecondary workforce readiness indicators.

TIMELINE

Start-up funding phases out after the 2027-28 budget year, with innovation grant funding beginning in the 2028-29 budget year.

REQUIREMENT

Added requirement for the department to convene a working group to report on the effectiveness of teacher retention and preparation programs and pathways in technology early college high schools.

DEFINITION

Removed specific definitions for the John W. Buckner Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Innovation Grant Program and related program names.

Signed Act (05/23/2025) → Final Act (05/14/2025) · 3 edits

MINOR

The bill text was reformatted to reflect its final enacted status, including the addition of a note about gubernatorial signature and reorganization of the title and sponsor information. The substantive legislative content regarding postsecondary and workforce readiness funding, definitions, and program requirements remains unchanged from the original version.

TECHNICAL

Added a note indicating the bill is prepared for signatures by legislative officers and the Governor, clarifying the bill's final status.

Reorganized the bill header to place the title and sponsor information after the enacting clause, changing the document structure but not the content.

Adjusted formatting of section headers and statutory text to align with final act conventions, including spacing and capitalization adjustments.

Reengrossed (04/30/2025) → Signed Act (05/23/2025) · 5 edits · May 23, 2025

MODERATE

The bill was amended to clarify the legislative intent behind postsecondary and workforce readiness programs, emphasizing evidence-based strategies like concurrent enrollment and the 'Big Three' goals (credentials, credits, and work-based learning). The amendments reorganized the funding model to prioritize equity and flexibility for local education providers while maintaining the original three funding streams: start-up, innovation grants, and sustain funding. The changes also updated definitions to align with existing state laws and clarified the department's goal of having 100% of high school graduates achieve at least one of the 'Big Three' outcomes by the class of 2029.

Scope change

The bill's scope was slightly expanded to include more detailed legislative findings and a clearer definition of 'industry-recognized credentials' and 'work-based learning' to ensure consistency with other state statutes.

DEFINITION

Added a specific definition for 'industry-recognized credential' that references existing state law sections and the Colorado Talent Pipeline Report to ensure consistency.

SCOPE

Included new legislative findings citing research from the Colorado Evaluation and Action Lab to support the effectiveness of concurrent enrollment and the benefits of transfer pathways.

REQUIREMENT

Reorganized the bill's structure to explicitly list the 'Big Three' goals (non-degree credentials, postsecondary credits, and work-based learning) as the primary targets for high school graduates.

FISCAL

Clarified that the start-up funding formula must include factors that reflect the local education provider's characteristics to enhance equity in access to programs.

TECHNICAL

Updated sponsor lists and formatting to reflect the final version of the bill as signed into law, including additional representatives who joined the sponsorship.

Engrossed (04/29/2025) → Reengrossed (04/30/2025) · 3 edits · Apr 30, 2025

MINOR

The bill was reengrossed to add four new sponsors (Coleman, Exum, Mullica) to the Senate sponsorship list, and a new notice was added indicating that a bill summary for the reengrossed version will be available online after the third reading in the House of Introduction. The original bill summary text was replaced with a placeholder notice explaining that the summary does not reflect amendments and will be updated for the reengrossed version.

TECHNICAL

Added four new Senate sponsors: Coleman, Exum, and Mullica to the existing list of Bridges, Kirkmeyer, and Amabile.

Replaced the original bill summary with a placeholder notice stating that the summary applies only to the introduced version and that an updated summary for the reengrossed version will be posted online on April 30, 2025.

Removed the original bill summary text that described the Work-Based Learning Integration Task Force's recommendations regarding postsecondary and workforce readiness programming.

Introduced (04/25/2025) → Engrossed (04/29/2025) · 3 edits · Apr 30, 2025

MINOR

The bill was amended to add McCluskie as a House sponsor and update the title to include making and reducing an appropriation. The legislative declaration section was reformatted with new numbering but the substantive policy content remains unchanged. The bill establishes a funding model for postsecondary and workforce readiness programs.

Scope change

The bill's scope remains focused on postsecondary and workforce readiness funding for Colorado students, with no substantive changes to applicability.

TECHNICAL

Added McCluskie as a House sponsor alongside Bird, Sirota, and Taggart.

Updated bill title to clarify it includes making and reducing an appropriation.

Reformatted legislative declaration section with new numbering system while maintaining identical policy content.

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