Bill Tracker

The bill creates the advanced industries workforce development
program in the Colorado office of economic development (office). The
purpose of the program is to allow the office to reimburse a business for
one-half of its expenses related to a qualifying internship or
apprenticeship.

The bill allows the state board for community colleges and
occupational education (state board) to seek approval from the Colorado
commission on higher education (CCHE) for technical, career, and
workforce development bachelor of applied science degree programs that
may be offered at community colleges within the state system. Among
other things, the state board must show workforce and student demand for
the degree program and cost-effectiveness to the student and the system.

The bill expands the scholarship program to provide stipends to
offset the costs of obtaining any postsecondary degree or certificate in
early childhood education for a person employed in early childhood
education. The criteria for awarding stipends are expanded to include
consideration of the diversity of applicants and to allow the state board of
education to choose to award stipends only to applicants who serve
high-needs children.

The bill creates the hospitality career secondary education grant
program (grant program). Hospitality education programs that operate at
the secondary education level (hospitality programs) may apply for a
grant from the grant program. The department of labor and employment
(department) administers the grant program. The hospitality secondary
education fund is created to fund the grant program. The department is
directed to provide an annual report on the activities of the grant program.