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Second Regular Session
Seventy-fifth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
REENGROSSED
This Version Includes All Amendments
Adopted in the House of Introduction
LLS NO. 26-0247.01 Chelsea Princell x4335 HOUSE BILL 26-1006
House Committees Senate Committees
Education
Appropriations
A BILL FOR AN ACT
CONCERNING THE DESIGNATION OF STATE INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER101
EDUCATION AS THRIVING INSTITUTIONS.102
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does
not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill
passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that
applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at
http://leg.colorado.gov.)
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
HOUSE
3rd Reading Unamended
March 25, 2026
HOUSE
Amended 2nd Reading
March 24, 2026
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Velasco and Martinez, Bacon, Boesenecker, Camacho, Clifford, Duran, Garcia, Hamrick,
Jackson, Lindsay, Lukens, McCluskie, Nguyen, Phillips, Rutinel, Stewart K., Story, Titone,
Valdez
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Roberts,
Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment.
Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law.
Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law.
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.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly2
finds and declares that:3
(a) Expanding educational opportunities and improving outcomes4
for historically underserved student populations, including Hispanic or5
Latino students, first-generation students, students with low incomes,6
adult learners, transfer students, and students attending colleges and7
universities in rural areas, are compelling state interests that are critical8
to Colorado's prosperity, civil vitality, and workforce talent pipeline;9
(b) Recognition of institutional performance should be grounded10
in student outcomes and performance rather than being based solely on11
enrollment share;12
(c) Increasing degree and credential attainment through student13
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persistence, retention, and successful transfers and aligning education and1
training to labor market outcomes are necessary to achieve the state's2
postsecondary attainment and workforce goals;3
(d) The Colorado commission on higher education's strategic plan4
calls for increasing the number of Coloradans with skills obtained while5
in high school or through postsecondary education that, at a minimum,6
result in lifetime earnings that exceed the cost of attendance; and7
(e) Outcome-based state designations recognizing institutional8
excellence provide policy continuity, promote accountability, and support9
continuous improvement aligned with the state's attainment and10
workforce goals.11
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 23-1-144 as12
follows:13
23-1-144. Thriving institution designations - advisory14
committee - report - rules - definitions.15
(1) AS USED IN THIS SECTION, UNLESS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE16
REQUIRES:17
(a) "ADVISORY COMMITTEE" MEANS THE ADVISORY COMMI TTEE18
ON THRIVING INSTITUTION OUTCOMES CREATED PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION19
(4) OF THIS SECTION.20
(b) "I NSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION " MEANS A PUBLIC21
INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION , INCLUDING A LOCAL DISTRICT22
COLLEGE, AS DEFINED IN SECTION 23-71-102, AND AREA TECHNICAL23
COLLEGES, AS DEFINED IN SECTION 23-60-103.24
25
(c) "LABOR MARKET OUTCOMES" MEANS THE INCOME EARNINGS26
OF STUDENTS UPON POSTSECONDARY -EDUCATION COMPLETION27
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CATEGORIZED BY DEGREE USING EXISTING STATE OR FEDERAL DATA1
ALREADY COLLECTED OR MAINTAINED BY THE DEPARTMENT.2
(d) "R URAL CAMPUS" MEANS A CAMPUS OF AN INSTITUTION OF3
HIGHER EDUCATION THAT:4
(I) IS LOCATED IN A COUNTY DESIGNATED AS A NONMETROPOLITAN5
OR MICROPOLITAN AREA BY THE UNITED STATES OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT6
AND BUDGET;7
(II) ENROLLS STUDENTS WHO GRADUATED FROM A RURAL SCHOOL8
DISTRICT OR SMALL RURAL SCHOOL DISTRICT, AS THE TERMS ARE DEFINED9
IN SECTION 22-2-146.5, AT A RATE DETERMINED BY THE ADVISORY10
COMMITTEE; OR11
(III) I S RURAL BASED ON GEOGRAPHIC ISOLATION , POPULATION12
DENSITY, COMMUNITY , OR OTHER FACTORS , AS DETERMINED BY THE13
ADVISORY COMMITTEE.14
(e) "S TUDENT SUCCESS EXPERT " MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL WITH15
DEMONSTRATED EXPERTISE IN ASSISTING POSTSECONDARY STUDENTS16
WITH SUCCESSFUL CREDENTIAL AND DEGREE COMPLETION OR17
EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES TO CLOSE ATTAINMENT GAPS AMONG18
HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED STUDENT POPULATIONS.19
(f) "THRIVING INSTITUTION DESIGNATION" MEANS A DESIGNATION20
GRANTED TO A PUBLIC INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.21
(2) A THRIVING INSTITUTION IS A PUBLIC INSTITUTION OF HIGHER22
EDUCATION THAT DEMONSTRATES STRONG PERFORMANCE, AS DEFINED BY23
THE DEPARTMENT WITH INPUT FROM THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE24
ESTABLISHED IN SUBSECTION (5) OF THIS SECTION, FOR CERTAIN STUDENT25
POPULATIONS, INSTITUTIONAL MISSIONS, OR WORKFORCE ROLES THAT ARE26
RECOGNIZED IN:27
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(a) F EDERAL LAW , INCLUDING THOSE NOTED IN THE FEDERAL1
"HIGHER EDUCATION ACT OF 1965", 20 U.S.C. SEC. 1001 AND 20 U.S.C.2
SEC. 1057-1059d;3
(b) F EDERAL STUDENT AID AND ACCOUNTABILITY PROGRAMS4
AUTHORIZED PURSUANT TO 20 U.S.C. SEC. 1070a;5
(c) THE FEDERAL WORKFORCE AND EDUCATION-TO-WORKFORCE6
ACCOUNTABILITY FRAMEWORKS AUTHORIZED PURSUANT TO 29 U.S.C.7
SEC. 3111 ET SEQ.;8
(d) C OLORADO STATUTES GOVERNING HIGHER EDUCATION ,9
WORKFORCE PROGRAMS, AND ADULT EDUCATION; AND10
(e) FEDERAL OR STATE ACCOUNTABILITY , REPORTING, OR DATA11
SYSTEMS AUTHORIZED BY STATUTE.12
(3) (a) FOLLOWING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE INITIAL THRIVING13
INSTITUTION DESIGNATIONS AND THE OUTCOME STANDARDS USED TO14
INFORM THE THRIVING INSTITUTION DESIGNATIONS AS REQUIRED BY15
SUBSECTION (5) OF THIS SECTION, AND WITHIN THIRTY DAYS AFTER THE16
ANNUAL PUBLIC RELEASE OF ENROLLMENT, RETENTION, AND GRADUATION17
DATA FROM EACH STATE INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN 2027 AND18
EACH YEAR THEREAFTER, THE DEPARTMENT , WITH INPUT FROM THE19
ADVISORY COMMITTEE, IF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE HAS SCHEDULED20
MEETINGS FOR THAT CALENDAR YEAR, SHALL:21
(I) IDENTIFY INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION THAT MEET THE22
OUTCOME STANDARDS IDENTIFIED IN SUBSECTION (4) OF THIS SECTION FOR23
ONE OR MORE THRIVING INSTITUTION DESIGNATIONS;24
(II) NOTIFY EACH INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION THAT MEETS25
THE OUTCOME STANDARDS IDENTIFIED IN SUBSECTION (4) OF THIS SECTION26
FOR ONE OR MORE THRIVING INSTITUTION DESIGNATIONS AND REQUEST27
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THAT THE INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION RESPOND WITHIN TEN1
CALENDAR DAYS WITH A DECISION OF WHETHER THE INSTITUTION OF2
HIGHER EDUCATION WOULD LIKE TO BE RECOGNIZED FOR ITS THRIVING3
INSTITUTION DESIGNATION;4
(III) P OST ON THE DEPARTMENT 'S WEBSITE THE NAMES OF THE5
INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION THAT EARN A THRIVING INSTITUTION6
DESIGNATION AND AGREE TO BE RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR THRIVING7
INSTITUTION DESIGNATION; AND8
(IV) N OTIFY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE NAME OF EACH9
INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION THAT EARNS A THRIVING INSTITUTION10
DESIGNATION.11
(b) T HE OUTCOME STANDARDS USED TO DETERMINE THRIVING12
INSTITUTION DESIGNATIONS, AS REQUIRED BY SUBSECTION (3)(a)(I) OF13
THIS SECTION, MUST BE USED TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES FOR THE STUDENT14
POPULATIONS IMPACTED BY A THRIVING INSTITUTION 'S DESIGNATION15
WITHOUT DIMINISHING THE SUCCESS OF OTHER STUDENT POPULATIONS AT16
THE INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.17
(c) AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION 'S DESIGNATION AS A18
THRIVING INSTITUTION DOES NOT CREATE AN ENTITLEMENT TO STATE19
FUNDING AND DOES NOT REQUIRE THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO REPLACE OR20
SUPPLEMENT FEDERAL OR PRIVATE FUNDING TO THE INSTITUTION OF21
HIGHER EDUCATION.22
(4) A FTER CONSULTATION WITH THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE23
ESTABLISHED IN SUBSECTION (5) O F T H I S S E C T I O N, THE DEPARTMENT24
SHALL SET OUTCOME STANDARDS , MEASURES , DATA SOURCES ,25
CALCULATION METHODS , VALIDITY PROTECTIONS , PERFORMANCE26
THRESHOLDS, MULTI-TIER RECOGNITION LEVELS , AND REVIEW PERIODS27
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USED TO EVALUATE INSTITUTIONAL PERFORMANCE FOR THE THRIVING1
INSTITUTION DESIGNATIONS. THE STANDARDS MUST:2
(a) R ELY EXCLUSIVELY ON EXISTING STATE OR FEDERAL DATA3
COLLECTED OR MAINTAINED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND NOT REQUIRE NEW4
DATA ELEMENTS, NEW DATA COLLECTION, DATA MATCHING , OR5
DATA-SHARING AGREEMENTS WITH OTHER STATE OR FEDERAL AGENCIES6
OR INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.7
(b) E NSURE STATISTICAL VALIDITY AND COMPLIANCE WITH8
PRIVACY LAWS;9
(c) P ROMOTE CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT ALIGNED WITH THE10
STATE'S ESTABLISHED POSTSECONDARY ATTAINMENT TARGETS AND11
STATEWIDE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENTAL PRIORITIES; AND12
(d) A T A MINIMUM , INCLUDE EXISTING DATA CONCERNING13
STUDENT PROGRESSION AND SUCCESS, SUCH AS DEGREE COMPLETION,14
RETENTION, AND LABOR MARKET OUTCOMES.15
(5) (a) ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 1, 2027, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL16
CONVENE AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THRIVING INSTITUTION17
OUTCOMES. THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE SHALL MEET AT LEAST ONCE18
DURING THE 2027 CALENDAR YEAR TO PROVIDE INPUT ON THE INITIAL19
THRIVING INSTITUTION DESIGNATIONS AND THE OUTCOME STANDARDS20
USED TO INFORM THE THRIVING INSTITUTION DESIGNATIONS. ONCE THIS21
PURPOSE IS FULFILLED, THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE SHALL MEET ONLY IF22
NEW THRIVING INSTITUTION DESIGNATIONS NEED TO BE ADDED OR IF THE23
COMMISSION PROPOSES MATERIAL CHANGES TO THE OUTCOME STANDARDS24
USED TO INFORM THE THRIVING INSTITUTION DESIGNATIONS.25
(b) T HE ADVISORY COMMITTEE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING26
MEMBERS, EACH APPOINTED BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE27
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DEPARTMENT:1
(I) A REPRESENTATIVE FROM A FOUR-YEAR UNIVERSITY;2
(II) A REPRESENTATIVE FROM A COMMUNITY COLLEGE, AS DEFINED3
IN SECTION 23-81-101;4
(III) A REPRESENTATIVE FROM A LOCAL DISTRICT COLLEGE , AS5
DEFINED IN SECTION 23-71-102;6
(IV) A REPRESENTATIVE FROM A RURAL CAMPUS;7
(V) A REPRESENTATIVE FROM AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER8
EDUCATION THAT RECEIVED A HISPANIC-SERVING INSTITUTION9
DESIGNATION FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ON10
OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 2025;11
(VI) A REPRESENTATIVE FROM AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER12
EDUCATION THAT RECEIVED A FIRST GENERATION-SERVING INSTITUTION13
DESIGNATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 2025;14
(VII) A REPRESENTATIVE FROM AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER15
EDUCATION THAT RECEIVED A NATIVE AMERICAN-SERVING NON-TRIBAL16
INSTITUTION DESIGNATION FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF17
EDUCATION ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 2025;18
(VIII) A REPRESENTATIVE FROM AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER19
EDUCATION WITH A POPULATION OF PELL-ELIGIBLE UNDERGRADUATE20
STUDENTS GREATER THAN THE STATEWIDE AVERAGE;21
(IX) A REPRESENTATIVE FROM AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER22
EDUCATION THAT HAS A POPULATION OF ADULT LEARNERS AND TRANSFER23
STUDENTS THAT IS GREATER THAN THE STATEWIDE AVERAGE;24
(X) A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE COLORADO BUSINESS25
COMMUNITY WITH EXPERIENCE IN WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT OR26
EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT RELATED TO POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION27
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EMPLOYMENT AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT;1
(XI) AT LEAST TWO INDIVIDUALS WITH RESEARCH EXPERTISE IN2
THE FIELD OF HIGHER EDUCATION OR A CLOSELY RELATED DISCIPLINE;3
(XII) A STUDENT ENROLLED AT AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER4
EDUCATION;5
(XIII) A REPRESENTATIVE FROM AN ORGANIZATION THAT6
PROVIDES PROGRAM OVERSIGHT AND POLICY GUIDANCE FOR FEDERALLY,7
STATE, AND LOCALLY FUNDED WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS;8
(XIV) A STUDENT SUCCESS REPRESENTATIVE WITH9
DEMONSTRATED EXPERIENCE IN STUDENT AFFAIRS; AND10
(XV) A N INDIVIDUAL WITH EXPERTISE IN LAWFUL DATA USE11
RELATED TO POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION AND METHODS FOR ENSURING12
COMPLIANCE WITH STATE AND FEDERAL PRIVACY LAWS.13
(c) M EMBERS APPOINTED TO THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE MAY14
SATISFY MULTIPLE MEMBERSHIP CATEGORIES DETAILED IN SUBSECTION15
(5)(b) OF THIS SECTION.16
(d) THE MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE SERVE WITHOUT17
COMPENSATION BUT MAY BE REIMBURSED FOR ACTUAL AND NECESSARY18
EXPENSES INCURRED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTIES.19
(6) ON OR BEFORE NOVEMBER 15, 2026, AND EACH NOVEMBER 1520
THEREAFTER, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL PREPARE A REPORT SUMMARIZING21
THE THRIVING INSTITUTION DESIGNATIONS IN EFFECT, THE OUTCOME22
STANDARDS USED TO INFORM THE THRIVING INSTITUTION DESIGNATIONS,23
AND ANY NEW THRIVING INSTITUTION DESIGNATIONS ADDED OR MATERIAL24
CHANGES MADE TO THE OUTCOME STANDARDS FOR THAT CALENDAR YEAR.25
THE DEPARTMENT SHALL INCLUDE THE REPORT IN IT'S "SMART ACT"26
HEARING, REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2-7-203.27
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(7) T HE DEPARTMENT MAY SEEK , ACCEPT , AND EXPEND GIFTS ,1
GRANTS, OR DONATIONS FROM PRIVATE OR PUBLIC SOURCES FOR THE2
PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION.3
(8) A LL USE AND DISCLOSURE OF STUDENT INFORMATION FOR4
PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION MUST COMPLY WITH ALL APPLICABLE STATE5
AND FEDERAL PRIVACY LAWS. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL AGGREGATE DATA6
TO PREVENT THE DISCLOSURE OF STUDENT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE7
INFORMATION.8
(9) T HE DEPARTMENT MAY ADOPT RULES AS NECESSARY TO9
IMPLEMENT THIS SECTION.10
SECTION 3. Safety clause. The general assembly finds,11
determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate12
preservation of the public peace, health, or safety or for appropriations for13
the support and maintenance of the departments of the state and state14
institutions.15
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