Senate Dems Advance Innovative Program, Kill Dangerous GOP Bills

SB 20-31 passes Senate Education committee

Denver, CO – Today the Senate Education committee passed SB-031: Improve Student Success Innovation Pilot. The bill helps students pursuing postsecondary credentials and degrees through encouraging institutions to collaborate together to work on programs to retain students, boost Colorado's adult workforce and fill shortages in much-needed positions.

"It's clear there's need for more skilled workers here in Colorado. Workers are traveling here from other states because Colorado can't provide the skilled workforce," said Sen. Tammy Story (D-Littleton). "This bill is to allow institutions to collaborate in order to get students there, keep them there, graduate them and ensure they have a sustainable future — the whole pathway."

The bill allows for collaboration to identify barriers to postsecondary education, with four goals to increase attainment: increase credential completion, erase equity gaps, improve student success and invest in affordable & innovative programs. The program incentivizes institutions to address barriers like financial aid, housing or food insecurity, and mental and behavioral health.

Also up in committee today: three dangerous GOP-sponsored bills that would have targeted equity in neighborhood schools, undermined teachers' unions and dismantled education frameworks and protections.

Read more about Sen. Story's bill here: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/SB20-031