Change Practices of Work Force Development Council

Second Regular Session
Seventy-fifth General Assembly
STATE OF COLORADO
INTRODUCED

LLS NO. 26-0938.01 Renee Leone x2695 SENATE BILL 26-156
Senate Committees House Committees
Business, Labor, & Technology
A BILL FOR AN ACT
CONCERNING CHANGES TO THE ST ATE WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT101
COUNCIL'S PRACTICES.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 implements changes to the practices of the state work
force development council (council), including by:
! Streamlining requirements for the council's talent pipeline
report based on industry changes over the last several
years;
! Creating greater flexibility to allow the council to develop
SENATE SPONSORSHIP
Kipp and Carson,
HOUSE SPONSORSHIP
Phillips and Gonzalez R.,
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.
certain criteria for the creation of career pathways based on
data and feedback collected by the council;
! Updating the duties of the council to better reflect the
council's current education, training, and workforce
preparation practices; and
! Amending the directives for and duties of the position of
the postsecondary and workforce readiness statewide
coordinator, who works under the direction of the council,
to better align with the updated working structure of that
position as related to several other entities.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1
SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend with2
relocated provisions 24-46.3-100.3 as follows:3
24-46.3-100.3. Definitions.4
As used in this article 46.3, unless the context otherwise requires:5
(1) [Formerly 24-46.3-104 (2)(a)] "Apprenticeship" means a6
registered apprenticeship program with a written plan that is designed to7
move an apprentice from a low- or no-skill entry-level position to full8
occupational proficiency. The program must comply with the parameters9
established under the FEDERAL "National Apprenticeship Act", 29 U.S.C.10
sec. 50, as amended, and regulations promulgated under the act, and must11
be administered by the United States department of labor's office of12
apprenticeship LABOR or a state apprenticeship agency recognized by the13
United States department of labor. An individual business, an employer14
association, or a labor organization sponsors a registered apprenticeship.15
Upon finishing a training program, the apprentice earns a "completion of16
registered apprenticeship" certificate, which is an industry-issued and17
nationally recognized credential that validates proficiency in an18
apprenticeable occupation, or is awarded a certificate of completion.19
(2) [Formerly 24-46.3-104 (2)(b)] "Career pathway" means a20
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series of connected education and training strategies and support services1
that enable individuals AN INDIVIDUAL to secure industry-relevant skills2
and OR certification where applicable, to obtain employment within an3
occupational area, and to advance to higher levels of future education and4
employment.5
(3) [Formerly 24-46.3-104 (2)(b.5)] "Certificate of completion"6
means a certificate awarded to an apprentice in recognition of the7
successful completion of an apprenticeship program.8
(1) (4) "Department" means the department of labor and9
employment.10
(2) (5) "Federal act" means the federal "Workforce Innovation and11
Opportunity Act", 29 U.S.C. sec. 3101 et seq.12
(6) [Formerly 24-46.3-104 (2)(d)] "Growing industries" means13
industries that are:14
(a) Projected to create new jobs annually for at least the next ten15
years; OR16
(b) A LIGNED WITH THE STATE 'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT17
STRATEGY.18
(7) [Formerly 24-46.3-104 (2)(e)] "Partners" means, at a19
minimum, state agencies and organizations described in section20
24-46.3-103, the state board for community colleges and occupational21
education created in section 23-60-104, C.R.S., and interested22
postsecondary education providers.23
(3) (8) "State council" means the state work force development24
council created in section 24-46.3-101 (1).25
(9) [Formerly 24-46.3-104 (2)(g)] "Top jobs" means jobs that26
have strong projected average openings per year for ten years and pay a27
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living HIGH wage as defined in the Colorado talent pipeline report1
prepared pursuant to section 24-46.3-103.2
SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 24-46.3-1033
as follows:4
24-46.3-103. Growing industries and in-demand occupations5
talent pipeline working group - annual Colorado talent report -6
legislative declaration.7
(1) (a) The general assembly hereby finds determines, and8
declares that:9
(I) Colorado's economy is diverse and constantly changing, and10
its key GROWING industries are dependent on an accurately11
APPROPRIATELY skilled workforce to continue to thrive;12
(II) Colorado's key GROWING industry employers continue to lack13
the skilled workers they need to stay and grow in the state;14
(III) T HESE CONTINUOUSLY UNFILLED ROLES IN GROWING15
INDUSTRIES CONSTITUTE IN-DEMAND OCCUPATIONS IN COLORADO, AND IT16
IS IMPERATIVE TO THE STATE'S COMMUNITIES AND ECONOMY THAT THERE17
IS A PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF HOW TO:18
(A) DETERMINE WHICH OCCUPATIONS ARE IN-DEMAND; AND19
(B) A CCESS TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES FOR JOB PLACEMENT IN20
IN-DEMAND OCCUPATIONS;21
(III) (IV) Coloradans miss opportunities for good jobs in growing22
industries because they do not have access to the right education, training,23
or adequate hands-on experience at the right time to secure employment24
IN IN-DEMAND OCCUPATIONS;25
(IV) (V) Providing clear access to industry-driven career pathways26
for education and employment advancement can result in long-term27
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improvements in the economic well-being of Coloradans and will provide1
industries with the talent pipeline needed to thrive now and in the future2
MAINTAINING A COORDINATED STRATEGY ACROSS STATE AGENCIES TO3
PROMOTE ACCESS TO INDUSTRY-DRIVEN CAREER PATHWAYS IS CRITICAL4
TO SUPPORTING THE ECONOMIC WELL -BEING OF COLORADANS AND OF5
COLORADO'S INDUSTRIES;6
(V) (VI) Creating a coordinated system to advance the skills and7
educational attainment of Coloradans across workforce development and8
education, in alignment with economic development goals, and in9
partnership with industry ENSURING THAT PROVIDERS OF EDUCATION AND10
TRAINING, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT EXPERTS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPERS,11
THE STATE, AND LOCAL COMMUNITIES HAVE A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF12
THE LABOR MARKET AND THE STATE'S OCCUPATIONAL NEEDS is the most13
promising way to advance Coloradans and supply industry with the talent14
it demands;15
(VI) (VII) Deep, authentic, and ongoing employer engagement16
and input is ARE critical to ensure that education and training programs17
are aligned with DESIGNED TO MEET the real and current needs of industry;18
and19
(VII) (VIII) Sector partnerships are a proven, established model20
of engaging employers and coordinating workforce development,21
economic development, and education STRATEGIES in response to the22
needs of industry and on behalf of workers INDIVIDUALS seeking good23
jobs.24
(b) The general assembly further finds determines, and declares25
that it will be IS beneficial to create a working group with the state26
council, comprised of representatives from the relevant state departments27
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and offices, to discuss and determine the most effective way to use sector1
partnerships at the regional level to align workforce development,2
economic development, and education in the state to WITH the needs of3
key GROWING industries AND IN-DEMAND OCCUPATIONS.4
(2) The state council, the department of higher education, the5
department of education, the department of labor and employment, and6
the Colorado office of economic development shall work collaboratively7
to:8
(a) Discuss and determine needs across key industries and9
ANALYZE COLORADO'S LABOR MARKET CONDITIONS TO IDENTIFY10
GROWING INDUSTRIES AND IN -DEMAND occupations including AND11
IDENTIFY challenges TO and opportunities in FOR developing and growing12
relevant talent pipelines;13
(b) IDENTIFY THE IN-DEMAND AND HIGH-WAGE OCCUPATIONS IN14
COLORADO THAT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR FEDERAL SUPPORT, AS DEFINED IN THE15
FEDERAL "HIGHER EDUCATION ACT OF 1965", 20 U.S.C. SEC. 1001 ET16
SEQ., OR A SUCCESSOR ACT;17
(b) (c) Ensure that the talent pipeline development infrastructure18
includes:19
(I) A listening process to collect workforce needs for key20
industries' FEEDBACK ON OCCUPATIONAL DEMAND FROM employers;21
(II) Curriculum alignment for high-demand occupation skill needs22
ANALYSIS OF THE STATE'S CURRENT TRAINING CAPACITY AND ABILITY TO23
SUPPORT WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FOR IN-DEMAND OCCUPATIONS;24
(III) Occupation-aligned education and training options with a25
clearly articulated progression ANALYSIS OF THE SKILLS ESSENTIAL FOR26
IN-DEMAND OCCUPATIONS TO ASSIST TRAINING PROVIDERS IN27
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MAINTAINING THE RELEVANCE OF THEIR PROGRAMS; AND1
(IV) Skills assessments; and2
(V) (IV) Academic career counseling;3
(c) (d) Utilize sector partnerships to:4
(I) Advise the development of career pathway programs for5
critical IN-DEMAND occupations in key GROWING industries; and6
(II) Ensure the coordination of education and workforce initiatives7
to develop a strong talent pipeline; and8
(d) (e) Utilize existing measures and data systems to improve9
systems alignment and interagency communication.10
(3) (a) In doing the work specified in subsection (2) of this11
section, the state council, in partnership with the department of higher12
education, the department of education, the department of labor and13
employment, and the Colorado office of economic development, shall14
coordinate the production of PRODUCE an annual Colorado talent report.15
In preparing the annual Colorado talent report, the state council, the16
departments, and the office may use previously collected data and are not17
required to collect new data. for the purposes of the report. The talent18
report shall MUST:19
(I) Take into consideration the data contained in the annual job20
skills report produced by the department of higher education and use such21
data to inform workforce development issues across key industries;22
(II) (I) Utilize state-level data generated from state-level sources23
whenever possible;24
(III) (II) Utilize and, as appropriate, expand existing data-sharing25
agreements between agencies and partners;26
(IV) Provide a progress report on the status of career pathway27
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programs targeted at key industries;1
(V) (III) Provide an analysis of data regarding the skills required2
for key industry jobs IN-DEMAND OCCUPATIONS; AND3
(VI) (IV) Include recommendations related to FOR advancing4
talent pipeline and career pathways development.5
(VII) Include recommendations regarding the alignment and6
consistency of data nomenclature, collection practices, and data-sharing.7
The recommendations shall not allow the disclosure of the personally8
identifiable information of a student enrolled in kindergarten or one of9
grades one through twelve without informed written permission from the10
student's parent or legal guardian. The recommendations may disclose11
de-identifie d, anonymous, or aggregate12
kindergarten-through-twelfth-grade student data without permission from13
a parent or legal guardian.14
(VIII) Repealed.15
(IX) Include the report regarding the industry infrastructure grant16
program, prepared as required by section 24-46.3-405.17
(b) The heads of the department of higher education, the18
department of education, the department of labor and employment, and19
the Colorado office of economic development shall include the20
recommendations from the state council, and any comments they may21
wish to add concerning the recommendations, to the house of22
representatives and senate committees of reference with jurisdiction over23
business issues by January 1, 2015. The heads of the departments shall24
annually present such recommendations and comments during the25
legislative hearings required pursuant to the "State Measurement for26
Accountable, Responsive, and Transparent (SMART) Government Act",27
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part 2 of article 7 of title 2, C.R.S. MAY SHARE THEIR ANALYSIS ON HOW1
DATA IN THE REPORT IMPACTS THE STATE 'S STRATEGIC GOALS THROUGH2
THEIR REGULAR REPORTING MECHANISMS.3
(c) I N JANUARY OF EACH YEAR , THE DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER4
EDUCATION, THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION , THE DEPARTMENT OF5
LABOR AND EMPLOYMENT , AND THE COLORADO OFFICE OF ECONOMIC6
DEVELOPMENT SHALL SUMMARIZE THE COLORADO TALENT REPORT, THEIR7
RECOMMENDATIONS, AND OTHER COMMENTS IN A PRESENTATION TO THE8
SENATE BUSINESS, LABOR, AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE AND THE HOUSE9
OF REPRESENTATIVES BUSINESS AFFAIRS AND LABOR COMMITTEE , OR10
THEIR SUCCESSOR COMMITTEES, DURING THE HEARINGS HELD PURSUANT11
TO THE "SMART ACT", PART 2 OF ARTICLE 7 OF TITLE 2.12
SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-46.3-104, amend13
(1), (3)(a), (3)(b), (3)(c), (6), and (7); and repeal (2), (5), and (5.5) as14
follows:15
24-46.3-104. Career pathways - design - legislative declaration16
- definition.17
(1) The general assembly hereby finds that creating18
industry-driven career pathways for education assists students in entering19
the work force WORKFORCE and provides industries with the talent20
pipeline necessary to fuel Colorado's economy. Recognizing the need for21
the coordinated development of career pathways for students, the general22
assembly enacted section 24-46.3-103 in 2014, tasking the state council23
to work collaboratively with the department of higher education, the24
department of education, the department of labor and employment, and25
the Colorado office of economic development to create the talent pipeline26
development infrastructure for use in creating ANALYZE COLORADO'S27
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LABOR MARKET CONDITIONS AND IN -DEMAND OCCUPATIONS TO INFORM1
THE CREATION AND EVOLUTION OF career pathways for students. Creating2
career pathways for growing Colorado industries with occupations in high3
demand JOB PLACEMENT IN GROWING INDUSTRIES AND IN -DEMAND4
OCCUPATIONS will:5
(a) Increase the number of Colorado citizens accessing6
postsecondary education and apprenticeships IMPROVE EDUCATION AND7
CAREER ADVISING AND NAVIGATION FOR COLORADANS INTERESTED IN8
POSTSECONDARY OPPORTUNITIES DESIGNED TO MEET LABOR MARKET9
NEEDS;10
(b) Increase the number of Colorado citizens C OLORADANS11
completing degrees, apprenticeships, and other credentials;12
(c) Decrease the need for remediation at the postsecondary level;13
(d) Increase entry into employment IN-DEMAND OCCUPATIONS and14
increase wages over time;15
(e) Create better transitions for students in the career pathways16
from high school, community colleges, or adult education programs to17
apprenticeships, higher education, or into the work force WORKFORCE;18
(f) Create better connections between postsecondary EDUCATION19
and work force WORKFORCE readiness initiatives in high school and adult20
work force WORKFORCE programs; and21
(g) Through partnerships with industry, assist students in22
obtaining work experience and employment during and after THEIR23
participation in TRAINING AND educational programs.24
(2) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:25
(a) "Apprenticeship" means a registered apprenticeship program26
with a written plan that is designed to move an apprentice from a low- or27
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no-skill entry-level position to full occupational proficiency. The program1
must comply with the parameters established under the "National2
Apprenticeship Act", 29 U.S.C. sec. 50, as amended, and regulations3
promulgated under the act, and must be administered by the United States4
department of labor's office of apprenticeship or a state apprenticeship5
agency recognized by the United States department of labor. An6
individual business, an employer association, or a labor organization7
sponsors a registered apprenticeship. Upon finishing a training program,8
the apprentice earns a "completion of registered apprenticeship"9
certificate, which is an industry-issued and nationally recognized10
credential that validates proficiency in an apprenticeable occupation, or11
is awarded a certificate of completion.12
(b) "Career pathway" means a series of connected education and13
training strategies and support services that enable individuals to secure14
industry-relevant skills and certification where applicable, to obtain15
employment within an occupational area, and to advance to higher levels16
of future education and employment.17
(b.5) "Certificate of completion" means a certificate awarded to18
an apprentice in recognition of the successful completion of an19
apprenticeship program.20
(c) "Critical occupations" means top jobs or employment in jobs21
that lead to top jobs.22
(d) "Growing industries" means industries that are projected to23
create new jobs annually for at least the next ten years.24
(e) "Partners" means, at a minimum, state agencies and25
organizations described in section 24-46.3-103, the state board for26
community colleges and occupational education created in section27
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23-60-104, C.R.S., and interested postsecondary education providers.1
(f) "State council" means the state work force development2
council created in section 24-46.3-101.3
(g) "Top jobs" means jobs that have strong projected average4
openings per year for ten years and pay a living wage as defined in the5
Colorado talent pipeline report prepared pursuant to section 24-46.3-103.6
(3) (a) The state council, in collaboration with its partners, and7
after consulting with local work force WORKFORCE boards and a task8
force within the department of education consisting of leadership from9
the department of education and superintendents of local school districts,10
shall design, MAINTAIN, AND UPDATE integrated career pathways for11
students within industry sectors identified in the annual Colorado talent12
report prepared pursuant to section 24-46.3-103 that are AS growing13
industries and that have critical IN-DEMAND occupations. that are without14
clearly articulated career pathways.15
(b) (I) In collaboration with its partners pursuant to subsection16
(3)(a) of this section, AND AT THE BEGINNING OF THE 2026-27 ACADEMIC17
YEAR AND AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH ACADEMIC YEAR THEREAFTER, the18
state council shall,19
(A) Design at least one career pathway that is ready for20
implementation by or before the 2016-17 academic year for critical21
occupations in a growing industry; and22
(B) subject to available appropriation or money from other23
sources, design at least two OR UPDATE career pathways that are ready for24
implementation at the beginning of each subsequent academic year for25
critical IN-DEMAND occupations in growing industries.26
(II) Based on the top jobs listing in the talent pipeline report27
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prepared in January 2014, the first three growing industries for design of1
a career pathway are construction and related skilled trades, information2
technology, and health care THE STATE COUNCIL SHALL CONTINUE TO3
WORK TO IDENTIFY GROWING INDUSTRIES AND IN-DEMAND OCCUPATIONS4
THAT ARE APPROPRIATE FOR CAREER PATHWAY DEVELOPMENT BASED ON5
THE DATA PROVIDED IN THE ANNUAL COLORADO TALENT REPORT.6
(c) Industry, through regional sector partnerships, and statewide7
trade associations, AND OTHER APPROPRIATE COUNCILS OR ENTITIES, shall8
review each career pathway annually to ensure that the career pathway9
remains relevant to the industry and shall provide input for ongoing10
adjustments to the career pathway to meet work force WORKFORCE needs.11
(5) The state council and partners shall use the model developed12
to create the manufacturing career pathway pursuant to section13
23-60-1003, C.R.S., including any improvements to the model based upon14
the implementation of the manufacturing career pathway. Consistent with15
the manufacturing career pathway, career pathways created pursuant to16
this section must have the components described in section 23-60-100317
(2), C.R.S., as they relate to the specific career pathway being created.18
(5.5) (a) As used in this subsection (5.5), "energy sector" means19
current and emerging establishments and partnerships engaged in20
electromechanical generation and maintenance, electrical energy21
transmission and distribution, energy efficiency and environmental22
technology, and renewable energy production. The energy sector includes23
but is not limited to occupations and activities relating to the24
development, installation, and maintenance of products or technologies25
in the areas of carbon capture, energy storage, building electrification,26
electric vehicles, charging infrastructure, hydrogen fuel cell technology,27
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and renewable natural gas.1
(b) The state council and partners, including the department of2
natural resources, shall create an industry-driven energy sector career3
pathway for implementation by or before the 2022-23 academic year. The4
state council shall comply with the provisions of this section, including5
career pathway design, components, implementation, industry review, and6
promotion of the energy sector career pathway.7
(c) The strengthening photovoltaic and renewable careers8
(SPARC) workforce development program, created in part 5 of this9
article 46.3, shall provide money and other supports for in-demand and10
growing occupations in the energy sector career pathway created pursuant11
to this subsection (5.5).12
(6) Once a career pathway is completed pursuant to this section,13
the state council, IN COORDINATION WITH PARTNER AGENCIES , TRADE14
ASSOCIATIONS, AND OTHER COUNCILS OR ENTITIES , shall facilitate15
outreach and training related to advising TO ADVISE students on the career16
pathways for all partners involved in implementing the career pathway,17
as well as other local, regional, or state entities that are interested in18
promoting the career pathway to students.19
(7) (a) Once a career pathway is completed pursuant to this20
section, the state council shall, subject to available appropriation or21
money from other sources, collaborate with the department of higher22
education and the department of labor and employment to create a23
microsite concerning PUBLISH the career pathway on a state-provided, free24
online resource. At a minimum, the following information must be25
included:26
(I) Industry-sector career awareness;27
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(II) Salary and wage information for the industry-sector career;1
(III) The industry-sector employment forecast;2
(IV) Information on programs within the career pathway, services3
provided, and financial aid opportunities for students; and4
(V) Online student support services.5
(b) A CADEMIC INSTITUTIONS MAY , IN DESIGNING OR UPDATING6
PROGRAMS:7
(I) INTEGRATE CAREER PATHWAYS INTO STUDENT ADVISING AND8
ACADEMIC PLANNING;9
(II) A LIGN ACADEMIC AND TRAINING PROGRAMS TO PROVIDE10
CLEAR CURRICULAR SEQUENCES THAT LEAD TO STACKABLE ,11
INDUSTRY-RECOGNIZED CREDENTIALS; AND12
(III) EMBED ALIGNED, WORK-BASED LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AS13
AN INTEGRAL COMPONENT OF THE STUDENT EXPERIENCE IN14
COLLABORATION WITH INDUSTRY.15
(b) (c) The state council may use money appropriated by the16
general assembly pursuant to section 24-46.3-101 (13) or money from any17
other source to add additional information and tools to a THE ONLINE18
PLATFORM THAT PROMOTES career pathways. microsite, similar to the19
information and tools provided in the microsite relating to the20
manufacturing career pathway.21
SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 24-46.3-302, amend22
(1) and (2)(a) as follows:23
24-46.3-302. Postsecondary and workforce readiness statewide24
coordinator - position created - duties.25
(1) (a) There is created the position of postsecondary and work26
force WORKFORCE readiness statewide coordinator to work under the27
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direction of the state work force development council. The statewide1
coordinator works SHALL WORK with and helps to HELP coordinate the2
efforts of local education providers, businesses, industry, area technical3
colleges, community colleges, apprenticeship programs, the department4
of education, the work force development STATE council, the career and5
technical education division within the Colorado community college6
system, the department of higher education, college preparation programs,7
and other appropriate entities to raise the level of postsecondary and work8
force WORKFORCE readiness that Colorado high school graduates achieve9
HAVE ACCESS TO , especially with regard to readiness upon high school10
graduation, for skilled career positions in business and industry,11
INCLUSIVE OF INDICATORS IDENTIFIED IN THE SCHOOL ACCOUNTABILITY12
FRAMEWORK.13
(b) The executive committee of the state work force development14
council shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with the15
commissioner of education as necessary to enable the statewide16
coordinator to collaborate with the office of postsecondary readiness and17
other appropriate offices and divisions within the department of education18
in implementing initiatives to increase the level of postsecondary and19
work force WORKFORCE readiness that high school graduates achieve.20
(2) (a) The statewide coordinator shall assist local WORKFORCE21
CENTERS AND education providers in:22
(I) Developing and implementing initiatives to increase the level23
of postsecondary and work force WORKFORCE readiness OPPORTUNITIES24
that high school graduates achieve, which may include but need not be25
limited to HAVE ACCESS TO , INCLUDING specialized, industry-based26
curricula and programs; apprenticeship programs; and internships and27
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externships;1
(II) Implementing concurrent enrollment programs as provided in2
article 35 of title 22, C.R.S., and in entering into concurrent enrollment3
agreements with area technical colleges, community colleges, and4
four-year institutions of higher education;5
(III) (II) Identifying local industry and work force WORKFORCE6
needs and existing educational tools, programs, and resources to help7
prepare middle and high school students to meet those needs upon8
graduating from high school;9
(IV) (III) Working with state and federal programs that provide10
career and work force WORKFORCE development opportunities for AND11
OUT-OF-SCHOOL YOUTH AND students enrolled in middle and high school12
and in accessing any state or federal moneys that are MONEY THAT IS13
available to local education providers to support and implement the14
programs;15
(V) (IV) Promoting opportunities for industry to engage in the16
classroom with students enrolled in grades six through twelve AND17
OUT-OF-SCHOOL YOUTH; AND18
(VI) Engaging students with the manufacturing career pathway19
created pursuant to section 23-60-1003, C.R.S.; and20
(VII) (V) Developing partnerships with businesses, industry,21
INDUSTRIES, unions, area technical colleges, community colleges,22
apprenticeship programs, and other entities to create opportunities for23
students to participate in educational and training programs that lead to24
obtaining a career entry-level credential THE SKILLS, CREDENTIALS, AND25
EXPERIENCE NECESSARY TO OBTAIN EMPLOYMENT IN IN -DEMAND26
OCCUPATIONS IN COLORADO.27
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SECTION 5. In Colorado Revised Statutes, amend 24-46.3-3031
as follows:2
24-46.3-303. Annual report.3
The state work force development council and the department of4
education shall annually review the work of the statewide coordinator in5
implementing the duties described in section 24-46.3-302, AND SUCH6
REVIEW SHALL INCLUDE SPECIFIC METRICS AND DATA THAT DEMONSTRATE7
THE PROGRESS AND GROWTH OF THE STATEWIDE COORDINATOR. The state8
work force development council shall include a summary of the review9
in the Colorado talent report prepared pursuant to section 24-46.3-103 (3).10
SECTION 6. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-43.7-109, amend11
(14) as follows:12
22-43.7-109. Financial assistance for public school capital13
construction - application requirements - evaluation criteria - local14
match requirements - technology grants - career and technical15
education capital construction grants - rules - definitions - repeal.16
(14) For fiscal year 2019-20 and for each succeeding fiscal year,17
the board, with the support of the division and subject to the approval of18
the state board regarding financial assistance awards as specified in this19
section, may provide financial assistance in the form of career and20
technical education capital construction grants. In conjunction with its21
establishment of an annual financial assistance timeline as required by22
subsection (2)(a) of this section, the board shall annually notify all23
potential applicants, by such means as the board deems appropriate, that24
it will accept and consider applications for financial assistance in the form25
of career and technical education capital construction grants. To be26
eligible for a career and technical education capital construction grant, an27
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applicant for financial assistance must apply specifically for that grant in1
accordance with the financial assistance timeline established by the board2
pursuant to subsection (2)(a) of this section and must submit an3
application in the form prescribed by the board pursuant to subsection (4)4
of this section. The board may award career and technical education5
capital construction grants to fund career and technical education capital6
construction projects. In awarding grants, the board shall consider7
whether each grant application describes a career and technical education8
capital construction project that concerns a professional field that is9
identified as a key GROWING industry in the most recent annual Colorado10
talent report produced by the state work force development council11
pursuant to section 24-46.3-103 (3). Nothing in this subsection (14)12
prohibits the board from considering other factors in awarding and13
denying career and technical education capital construction grants.14
SECTION 7. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act15
takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the16
ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly (August17
12, 2026, if adjournment sine die is on May 13, 2026); except that, if a18
referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V of the19
state constitution against this act or an item, section, or pa rt of this act20
within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take effect21
unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in22
November 2026 a nd, in such case, will take effect on the date of the23
official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.24
SB26-156-19-