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HB 1016

Continuation of Open Educational Resources Program

2026 Regular Session

HB 1016 continues Colorado's Open Educational Resources Program to provide free educational materials, reducing student and district textbook costs while expanding access to quality learning resources.

Governor Signed
#education&schoolfinance(pre&k-12)
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Bill Summary · HB 1016

Legislative bill overview

HB 1016 continues Colorado's Open Educational Resources (OER) Program, which provides free or low-cost educational materials to students and schools as alternatives to traditional textbooks. The bill extends funding and authorization for this existing initiative that aims to reduce educational costs for Colorado students and districts.

Why is this important

Educational materials represent a significant cost burden for students and school districts. By continuing OER programs, Colorado maintains access to freely available, peer-reviewed learning materials that can reduce textbook expenses while maintaining academic quality. This has particular impact on lower-income students and districts with limited budgets.

Potential points of contention

  • Textbook industry impact: Traditional educational publishers may view OER expansion as a threat to their market share and revenue
  • Quality assurance concerns: Some stakeholders question whether freely available materials maintain the same rigor and pedagogical standards as commercially published textbooks
  • Implementation burden: Schools may face upfront costs and training requirements to effectively adopt and integrate OER materials into existing curricula, despite long-term savings

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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