Senate Clears Bipartisan Zenzinger Bill to Set Students Up for Success

Legislation will allow higher education institutions to better support students with disabilities

DENVER, CO – The Senate today approved a bipartisan bill sponsored by Senator Rachel Zenzinger (D-Arvada) that will help set Colorado students up for success.

HB22-1255, which is co-sponsored by Sen. Barbara Kirkmeyer (R-Weld County), will help higher education institutions provide better support for students with disabilities.

“Every Colorado student deserves a quality, public education, and this bill will help make that dream a reality by making higher education more accessible and accommodating for students with disabilities,” Zenzinger said. “This important measure will allow us to begin addressing the issues that prevent students from reaching their goals and give every student, regardless of their ability, the support and opportunity they need to thrive.”

HB22-1255 would create an advisory committee that will advise higher education institutions on best practices and make recommendations to the legislature on improving outcomes for students with disabilities attending state institutions. 

The goal of this report is to develop a blueprint for making real and meaningful changes to better prepare students with disabilities for success, both in the classroom and after graduation.

A 2019 study from the National Center for Education Statistics reported that 19.4 percent of undergraduate students have a disability. This bill aims to level the playing field to make it easier for students with disabilities to succeed.

HB22-1255 now heads to the Governor’s desk for final consideration. Track the bill’s progress HERE.