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Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

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SB26-069 • 2026

Colorado Domestic Exchange Program

The bill establishes the Colorado domestic exchange program (program) in the Colorado department of education (department). The program facilitates a 2-week exchange program for high school seniors th

Education
Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
Sen. L. Daugherty, Sen. D. Michaelson Jenet, Rep. M. Lukens
Last action
2026-03-04
Official status
Senate Committee on Education Postpone Indefinitely
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on how students will be selected or supported.

Colorado Domestic Exchange Program

This bill establishes a two-week exchange program for Colorado high school seniors to visit another state and host students from that state in their hometown, facilitated by the Colorado Department of Education.

What This Bill Does

  • Establishes a domestic exchange program for Colorado high school seniors who have just graduated.
  • Requires participants to spend one week in another state and host visiting students from that state for one week back home.
  • Necessitates the Colorado Department of Education to contract with an entity experienced in running similar programs.
  • Ensures the program is funded through private gifts, grants, or donations totaling at least $45,000 by June 30, 2027.

Who It Names or Affects

  • High school seniors in Colorado who have just graduated.
  • Students from other states participating in the exchange.
  • The Colorado Department of Education, which will manage the program.
  • Private or public entities that provide funding for the program.

Terms To Know

Coordinating entity
An organization contracted by the Colorado Department of Education to run and manage the domestic exchange program.
Colorado Domestic Exchange Program Cash Fund
A fund created in the state treasury that receives gifts, grants, or donations for the purpose of funding the domestic exchange program.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill's effectiveness depends on securing $45,000 by June 30, 2027.
  • Details about how students will be selected and supported are not specified in the summary.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

L.002

SEN Education

Passed [*]

Plain English: The amendment changes how the Colorado domestic exchange program works by replacing contracts with grant awards, adds a new rule about liability for students, and adjusts several deadlines.

  • Changes the way organizations are selected to participate in the program from entering into a contract to receiving a grant award.
  • Adds a provision stating that neither the department nor the state board of education is responsible for any harm that might come to students during the exchange program.
  • Moves up several deadlines related to the implementation and operation of the program.
  • The amendment text does not provide details on how grant awards will be given or what criteria organizations must meet to receive them.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-04 Senate

    Senate Committee on Education Postpone Indefinitely

  2. 2026-01-28 Senate

    Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Education

Official Summary Text

The bill establishes the Colorado domestic exchange program (program) in the Colorado department of education (department). The program facilitates a 2-week exchange program for high school seniors the summer after their high school graduation. The students participating in the program spend one week in another state and one week hosting recently graduated high school seniors from another state in the students' hometown. The bill requires the department to contract with a coordinating entity to facilitate the program. The program is contingent on the department receiving $45,000 of gifts, grants, or donations for the program by June 30, 2027.
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced.)

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
Second Regular Session
Seventy-fifth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
INTRODUCED

LLS NO. 26-0479.01 Ken Fowler x2372 SENATE BILL 26-069
Senate Committees House Committees
Education
A BILL FOR AN ACT
CONCERNING ESTABLISHMENT OF A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT DOMESTIC101
EXCHANGE PROGRAM.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 establishes the Colorado domestic exchange program
(program) in the Colorado department of education (department). The
program facilitates a 2-week exchange program for high school seniors
the summer after their high school graduation. The students participating
in the program spend one week in another state and one week hosting
recently graduated high school seniors from another state in the students'
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Daugherty and Michaelson Jenet,
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Lukens,
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.
hometown. The bill requires the department to contract with a
coordinating entity to facilitate the program. The program is contingent
on the department receiving $45,000 of gifts, grants, or donations for the
program by June 30, 2027.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add article 106.5 to2
title 22 as follows:3
ARTICLE 106.54
Colorado Domestic Exchange Program5
22-106.5-101. Short title.6
THE SHORT TITLE OF THIS ARTICLE 106.5 IS THE "COLORADO7
DOMESTIC EXCHANGE PROGRAM ACT" OR "CODE ACT".8
22-106.5-102. Legislative declaration.9
(1) THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY FINDS AND DECLARES THAT:10
(a) MANY YOUNG PEOPLE GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL WITHOUT11
MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEERS FROM DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES;12
(b) Y OUNG PEOPLE WHO FEEL DISC ONNECTED ARE MORE13
VULNERABLE TO POLARIZATION, MISINFORMATION, AND DISTRUST;14
(c) STUDENTS WHO TRAVEL TO CULTURALLY, POLITICALLY, AND15
SOCIOECONOMICALLY DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES OFTEN GAIN GREATER16
EMPATHY, UNDERSTANDING, AND APPRECIATION FOR DIVERSITY;17
(d) S TUDENTS WITH FEWER ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL RESOURCES18
ARE LESS LIKELY TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL OUTSIDE THEIR19
HOME COMMUNITIES;20
(e) H IGH SCHOOL DOMESTIC EXCHANGE PROGRAMS INCREASE21
EMPATHY, BELONGING, OPTIMISM, AND CIVIC CURIOSITY IN PARTICIPATING22
STUDENTS; AND23
SB26-069-2-
(f) I NVITING STUDENTS FROM OTHER STATES TO COLORADO1
THROUGH A HIGH SCHOOL DOMESTIC EXCHANGE PROGRAM MAY ATTRACT2
MORE STUDENTS TO PURSUE POSTSECONDARY EDUCATION OR CAREER3
OPPORTUNITIES IN COLORADO.4
22-106.5-103. Definitions.5
AS USED IN THIS ARTICLE 106.5, UNLESS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE6
REQUIRES:7
(1) "C OORDINATING ENTITY " MEANS THE ENTITY UNDER8
CONTRACT WITH THE DEPARTMENT TO COORDINATE THE NATIONAL9
DOMESTIC EXCHANGE FOR STUDENTS , AS DESCRIBED IN SECTION10
22-106.5-104 (2).11
(2) "D EPARTMENT" MEANS THE COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF12
EDUCATION.13
(3) "F UND" MEANS THE COLORADO DOMESTIC EXCHANGE14
PROGRAM CASH FUND CREATED IN SECTION 22-106.5-106.15
(4) "P ROGRAM" MEANS THE COLORADO DOMESTIC EXCHANGE16
PROGRAM CREATED IN SECTION 22-106.5-104.17
22-106.5-104. Colorado domestic exchange program - creation18
- coordinating entity - purpose.19
(1) THE COLORADO DOMESTIC EXCHANGE PROGRAM IS CREATED20
IN THE DEPARTMENT . THE PROGRAM ENABLES GRADUATES OF A HIGH21
SCHOOL IN COLORADO, IN THE SUMMER FOLLOWING THEIR HIGH SCHOOL22
GRADUATION, TO STAY IN ANOTHER STATE FOR A WEEK AND ASSIST IN23
HOSTING A GROUP OF STUDENTS FROM ANOTHER STATE IN THE24
GRADUATES' HOMETOWN FOR A WEEK. STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN THE25
PROGRAM DO NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THEIR MEALS, FLIGHTS, ACTIVITIES,26
LODGING, OR TRANSPORTATION . THE TWO -WEEK PROGRAM OFFERS27
SB26-069-3-
EXPERIENCES THAT ALLOW STUDENTS TO EXPLORE SIMILARITIES AND1
DIFFERENCES IN THE POLITICAL , SOCIOECONOMIC , AND CULTURAL2
FEATURES OF THEIR PLACE OF RESIDENCE AND THE LOCATION OF THE3
EXCHANGE.4
(2) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL ENTER INTO A CONTRACT WITH, AND5
DISTRIBUTE MONEY FROM THE COLORADO DOMESTIC EXCHANGE PROGRAM6
CASH FUND CREATED IN SECTION 22-106.5-106 TO, A PUBLIC OR PRIVATE7
ENTITY WITH EXPERIENCE OPERATING NATIONAL DOMESTIC YOUTH8
EXCHANGES TO COORDINATE THE NATIONAL DOMESTIC EXCHANGE FOR9
STUDENTS IN COLORADO.10
22-106.5-105. Colorado domestic exchange program - state11
board of education - coordinating entity - duties - repeal.12
(1) THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL PROVIDE OVERSIGHT13
OF THE PROGRAM AND SHALL:14
(a) M ONITOR THE USE OF THE MONEY DISTRIBUTED BY THE15
DEPARTMENT TO THE COORDINATING ENTITY PURSUANT TO SECTION16
22-106.5-104 (2) TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH THIS ARTICLE 106.5 AND17
APPLICABLE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS;18
(b) R ECEIVE AND REVIEW REPORTS SUBMITTED BY THE19
COORDINATING ENTITY AS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SUBSECTION (3) OF20
THIS SECTION; AND21
(c) P ROVIDE GUIDANCE OR RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE22
COORDINATING ENTITY, AS APPROPRIATE, TO SUPPORT THE EFFECTIVE AND23
RESPONSIBLE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM.24
(2) THE COORDINATING ENTITY SHALL:25
(a) DESIGN, ADMINISTER, AND MANAGE PROGRAM OPERATIONS;26
(b) RECRUIT, SELECT, AND SUPPORT STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN27
SB26-069-4-
THE PROGRAM , INCLUDING ENSURING THAT STUDENTS REPRESENT A1
DIVERSITY OF SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS ACROSS THE STATE;2
(c) R ECRUIT, SELECT , AND SUPPORT EDUCATORS OR OTHER3
PROGRAM STAFF WHO SERVE IN COOR DINATION OR SUPPORT ROLES FOR4
PARTICIPATING STUDENTS;5
(d) MANAGE AND DISTRIBUTE PROGRAM FUNDS, INCLUDING FUNDS6
USED FOR PARTICIPANT TRAVEL, MEALS, LODGING, ACTIVITIES, AND OTHER7
PROGRAMMATIC COSTS;8
(e) E STABLISH AND MAINTAIN POLICIES AND PROCEDURES TO9
ENSURE PARTICIPANT SAFETY, PROGRAM QUALITY, AND RESPONSIBLE USE10
OF FUNDS; AND11
(f) CARRY OUT ANY OTHER DUTIES NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE12
PROGRAM IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS ARTICLE 106.5.13
(3) B EGINNING IN THE FIRST JANUARY AFTER THIS SECTION14
BECOMES EFFECTIVE, AND IN JANUARY OF EACH YEAR THEREAFTER, THE15
COORDINATING ENTITY SHALL PREPARE AND SUBMIT TO THE STATE BOARD16
OF EDUCATION INFORMATION NECESSARY FOR THE DEPARTMENT TO17
INCLUDE, AS PART OF ITS PRESENTATION DURING THE "SMART ACT"18
HEARING REQUIRED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2-7-203, INFORMATION19
CONCERNING THE NUMBER OF STUDENTS , SCHOOL DISTRICTS , AND20
SCHOOLS PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM.21
(4) (a) THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, IN COORDINATION WITH22
THE COORDINATING ENTITY , SHALL START DISTRIBUTING MONEY23
BEGINNING JULY 1, 2027, TO FACILITATE STUDENT PARTICIPATION IN THE24
PROGRAM IN THE 2027-28 STATE FISCAL YEAR.25
(b) THIS SUBSECTION (4) IS REPEALED, EFFECTIVE JUNE 30, 2029.26
22-106.5-106. Colorado domestic exchange program cash fund27
SB26-069-5-
created - gifts, grants, and donations.1
(1) T HE DEPARTMENT MAY SEEK , ACCEPT , AND EXPEND GIFTS ,2
GRANTS, OR DONATIONS FROM PRIVATE OR PUBLIC SOURCES FOR THE3
PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE 106.5. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL TRANSMIT ALL4
MONEY RECEIVED THROUGH GIFTS, GRANTS, OR DONATIONS TO THE STATE5
TREASURER, WHO SHALL CREDIT THE MONEY TO THE COLORADO DOMESTIC6
EXCHANGE PROGRAM CASH FUND.7
(2) THE COLORADO DOMESTIC EXCHANGE PROGRAM CASH FUND8
IS CREATED IN THE STATE TREASURY . THE FUND CONSISTS OF GIFTS ,9
GRANTS, AND DONATIONS CREDITED TO THE FUND PURSUANT TO10
SUBSECTION (1) OF THIS SECTION AND ANY OTHER MONEY THAT THE11
GENERAL ASSEMBLY MAY APPROPRIATE OR TRANSFER TO THE FUND.12
(3) MONEY IN THE FUND IS CONTINUOUSLY APPROPRIATED TO THE13
DEPARTMENT FOR PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE 106.5.14
(4) THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION AND THE DEPARTMENT MAY15
SEEK, ACCEPT, AND EXPEND GIFTS, GRANTS, OR DONATIONS FROM PRIVATE16
OR PUBLIC SOURCES FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS SECTION.17
(5) I N ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 24-36-114 (1), THE STATE18
TREASURER SHALL CREDIT ALL INTEREST AND INCOME DERIVED FROM THE19
DEPOSIT AND INVESTMENT OF MONEY IN THE FUND TO THE FUND.20
(6) T HE DEPARTMENT IS NOT REQUIRED TO IMPLEMENT THE21
PROGRAM IN ANY FISCAL YEAR UNLESS SUFFICIENT FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE22
FOR THAT PURPOSE . IF SUFFICIENT FUNDS ARE NOT AVAILABLE , THE23
DEPARTMENT MAY IMPLEMENT THE PROGRAM ONLY IF THE COORDINATING24
ENTITY DEMONSTRATES THAT ALL OPERATIONAL AND PROGRAMMATIC25
COSTS WILL BE COVERED THROUGH PRIVATE GIFTS, GRANTS, DONATIONS,26
OR SPONSORSHIP.27
SB26-069-6-
(7) (a) I F BY JUNE 30, 2027, THE MONEY IN THE FUND HAS NOT1
REACHED OR EXCEEDED FORTY -FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS , THE STATE2
TREASURER SHALL RETURN FROM THE FUND TO THE COORDINATING3
ENTITY, THE GRANTOR, OR DONOR THE AMOUNT OF THE COORDINATING4
ENTITY'S, GRANTOR'S, OR DONOR'S GIFTS, GRANTS, OR DONATIONS.5
(b) I F ANY MONEY REMAINS IN THE FUND AFTER THE STATE6
TREASURER RETURNS MONEY TO DONORS OR GRANTORS PURSUANT TO7
THIS SUBSECTION (7), AS APPLICABLE , THE STATE TREASURER SHALL ,8
PRIOR TO THE REPEAL OF THE FUND , TRANSFER ALL UNEXPENDED AND9
UNENCUMBERED MONEY IN THE FUND TO THE GENERAL FUND.10
22-106.5-107. Effective dates - notice to revisor of statutes -11
repeal of part.12
(1) SECTIONS 22-106.5-104 AND 22-106.5-105 WILL TAKE EFFECT,13
AND SUBSECTION (2) OF THIS SECTION WILL BE REPEALED , IF THE14
DEPARTMENT RECEIVES FORTY -FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS IN GIFTS ,15
GRANTS, OR DONATIONS FOR PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE 106.5. THE16
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL NOTIFY17
THE REVISOR OF STATUTES IN WRITING OF THE DATE WHEN THE CONDITION18
SPECIFIED IN THIS SECTION HAS OCCURRED BY EMAILING THE NOTICE TO19
REVISOROFSTATUTES.GA@COLEG.GOV. SECTIONS 22-106.5-104 AND20
22-106.5-105 TAKE EFFECT , AND SUBSECTION (2) OF THIS SECTION IS21
REPEALED, UPON THE DATE IDENTIFIED IN THE NOTICE THAT THE22
DEPARTMENT RECEIVED FORTY -FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS IN GIFTS ,23
GRANTS, OR DONATIONS FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS ARTICLE 106.5 OR, IF24
THE NOTICE DOES NOT SPECIFY THAT DATE, UPON THE DATE OF THE NOTICE25
TO THE REVISOR OF STATUTES.26
(2) (a) SECTIONS 22-106.5-101 TO 22-106.5-105 ARE REPEALED,27
SB26-069-7-
EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2027; EXCEPT THAT IF THE REVISOR OF STATUTES1
RECEIVES NOTICE PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION ON OR BEFORE JUNE 30,2
2027, THEN SECTIONS 22-106.5-101 TO 22-106.5-105 ARE NOT REPEALED.3
(b) T HIS SECTION AND SECTION 22-106.5-107 ARE REPEALED ,4
EFFECTIVE JUNE 30, 2028; EXCEPT THAT IF THE REVISOR OF STATUTES5
RECEIVES NOTICE PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION ON OR BEFORE JUNE 30,6
2027, THEN THIS SECTION AND SECTION 22-106.5-106 ARE NOT REPEALED. 7
SECTION 2. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act8
takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the9
ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly (August10
12, 2026, if adjournment sine die is on May 13, 2026); except that, if a11
referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V of the12
state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this act13
within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take effect14
unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in15
November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the16
official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.17
SB26-069-8-