HB 1317 Colorado House · 2026 Regular Session

Unified Postsecondary Talent Development System

Summary
The act creates the postsecondary talent development system transition advisory committee (transition committee) to develop a transition plan that includes recommendations to integrate oversight of higher education and workforce development programs (transition plan). The transition committee shall begin meeting by July 1, 2026, and shall submit the transition plan by November 1, 2026, to the joint budget committee; the house of representatives business affairs and labor committee; the house of representatives education committee; the senate business, labor, and technology committee; and the senate education committee. The transition plan must include recommendations about the structure of the department of higher education (department), including a recommendation to rename the department; recommendations about transitioning various offices, agencies, programs, and functions to the department or other state agencies; and recommendations about how the department will coordinate with the department of education's postsecondary workforce readiness and student support activities.     Effective July 1, 2028, the executive director of the Colorado commission on higher education is renamed the executive director of the department (executive director). The governor appoints, with the consent of the senate, the executive director.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Mar 2026
Committee Review
May 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Senate Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Mar 4, 2026 Signed May 28, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 6 comparisons

What changed between versions

Final Act Signed Act · 3 edits · May 29, 2026
MINOR
The bill was finalized for the Governor's signature, removing internal legislative notes and standardizing the formatting of the title and sponsor lists. The substantive policy content regarding the creation of a Transition Advisory Committee and workforce development oversight remains unchanged, though minor formatting adjustments were made to section headers and member lists.
Scope change
No change to the bill's scope or applicability; the changes are limited to finalizing the text for signature.
TECHNICAL

Removed internal legislative notes regarding signature status and session laws.

Standardized the formatting of the bill title and sponsor lists to match the final act style.

Corrected minor formatting inconsistencies in section headers and member list numbering.

Floor votes · Senate May 7, 2026 · House Apr 21, 2026

How they voted

585
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 64
May 7, 2026
D Democratic42
41 Yea 1
97% Yea
R Republican22
17 Yea 5 Nay
77% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
16
Key actions
8
Committee
3
Amendments
1
May 28, 2026
Signed into law
Governor Signed
executive
May 19, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by the President of the Senate
upper
May 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by the Speaker of the House
lower
May 7, 2026
Introduced
House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass
lower
May 7, 2026
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (58-5-1)
senate
May 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
upper
May 4, 2026
Upper · Passed
Senate Committee on Education Refer Amended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole
upper
Apr 24, 2026
Introduced
Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Education
upper
Apr 21, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
lower
Apr 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
House Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole
lower
Mar 25, 2026
Committee
House Committee on Education Refer Amended to Appropriations
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Introduced
Introduced In House - Assigned to Education
lower
4 primary · 22 co-sponsors

Sponsors