WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 25-315

Postsecondary & Workforce Readiness Programs

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Judy Amabile and 22 co-sponsors

Colorado consolidates postsecondary/work readiness funding into Start-Up, Sustain, and Innovation streams to boost equitable access to college credits, credentials, and work-based learning.

Governor Signed
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 25-315

SB 25-315 — Postsecondary & Workforce Readiness Programs (Governor Signed 05/23/2025)

Status: Governor signed. Introduced: 04/25/2025. Sponsors: Sens. Bridges, Kirkmeyer; Reps. Bird, Sirota (and many cosponsors).

Purpose / Intent

To consolidate and redesign Colorado’s state-administered postsecondary and workforce readiness (PWR) funding into a three‑stream model (Start‑Up, Sustain, and Innovation), increase equitable access to postsecondary credit, industry‑recognized credentials, and work‑based learning (the “big three”), and to repurpose or phase out older grant programs.

Key provisions

  • Establishes a new PWR funding mechanism administered by the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) and authorizes the State Board of Education (SBE) to adopt implementing rules. CDE must report program effectiveness to the General Assembly.
  • Creates three funding streams:
    • Start‑Up Funding (FY2025‑26 through FY2027‑28): formula distributed to local education providers (LEPs) to develop/implement programs that expand equitable access to postsecondary credit, credentials, or work‑based learning. Formula must include equity‑focused factors. CDE may use a limited portion of start‑up funds for administration.
    • Sustain Funding (beginning FY2026‑27): annual reimbursements to LEPs for students who, in the prior year, attained postsecondary credit, earned industry credentials, or met work‑based learning requirements. For FY2026‑27 the funding split is specified: 20% postsecondary credit, 40% industry‑recognized credentials, 35% work‑based learning, and 5% CDE administrative costs. SBE sets reimbursement rates and may adjust category percentages in later years; charter schools must receive 100% of sustain funds associated with their students.
    • Innovation Grant Program (John W. Buckner PWR Innovation Grant Program) (beginning FY2028‑29): competitive grants for LEPs with priority improvement/turnaround status or low PWR indicator attainment; grants may run up to three budget years and CDE may contract with external implementers.
  • Industry credentials: by Jan 30, 2026 and annually thereafter, CDE and the Workforce Development Council (with CDHE, the Community College System, and OEDIT) must publish a qualified list of industry credentials for the coming school year.
  • Communication requirement: LEPs must regularly inform middle and high school students and families about concurrent enrollment, credentials, and work‑based learning opportunities.
  • Extended high‑school programs:
    • Reduces ASCENT per‑pupil funding from $10,480 to $7,140 in FY2025‑26 and repeals the ASCENT program beginning FY2026‑27.
    • Requires CDE to convene a working group to review TREP and P‑Tech and report recommendations to the Joint Budget Committee by Dec 1, 2025.
  • Repeals/phase‑outs:
    • Repeals Concurrent Enrollment Expansion and Innovation Grant Program and John W. Buckner Automatic Enrollment in Advanced Course Grant Program effective FY2025‑26.
    • Reduces Career Development Success Program (CDIP) funding from $9.5M to $5.0M in FY2025‑26 and repeals CDIP beginning FY2026‑27; a portion of the $5.0M may be used for PWR administrative costs.
  • Modifies School Counselor Corps Grant Program so CDE (not SBE) may award grants.
  • Legislative goal: by the high‑school graduating class of 2029, 100% of graduates will have earned at least one of the “big three” (12 postsecondary credits, a quality credential, or a high‑quality work‑based learning experience).

Fiscal and administrative impacts

  • FY2025‑26 net appropriations change: net reduction of approximately $5.7 million to CDE (cash funds) including:
    • State Education Fund: −$4,200,641
    • Marijuana Tax Cash Fund: −$1,476,948
    • Net increase of 3.9 FTE (administrative staff in CDE).
  • A technical correction appropriation of $160,073 General Fund was added for accountability and improvement planning (CDE – School Quality & Support), with 1.0 FTE assumed for that purpose.
  • The bill shifts funding previously used for multiple grant programs into the consolidated PWR structure; if the General Assembly does not appropriate sufficient sustain funding in later years, reimbursements are proportionally reduced.

Who is affected

  • Local Education Providers (school districts, district and state‑authorized charter schools, BOCES) — receive new start‑up, sustain, and (later) innovation funds and new reporting/communication obligations.
  • Charter schools — guaranteed to receive 100% of sustain funds associated with their students.
  • CDE — new administrative responsibilities and modest FTE increases.
  • Programs repealed or phased out (ASCENT, CDIP, Concurrent Enrollment Expansion & Innovation Grant, Buckner Automatic Enrollment) and their existing participants will transition to the new funding model.

Timeline / Important dates

  • Start‑Up funding distributed FY2025‑26 through FY2027‑28.
  • Sustain funding begins FY2026‑27 (specified percentages for FY2026‑27).
  • Innovation grants begin FY2028‑29.
  • ASCENT reduced in FY2025‑26 and repealed FY2026‑27.
  • CDIP funding cut in FY2025‑26 and repealed FY2026‑27.
  • Annual credential list due by Jan 30 each year starting 2026.
  • Working group report on TREP and P‑Tech due Dec 1, 2025.

For details on statutory language, reporting requirements, and precise administrative limits, see the enacted text and Legislative Council fiscal notes.

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

Sign in to ask a question.