NOTE:  This bill has been prepared for the signature of the appropriate legislative
officers and the Governor.  To determine whether the Governor has signed the bill
or taken other action on it, please consult the legislative status sheet, the legislative
      history, or the Session Laws.
      
      
      SENATE BILL 10-101
      
      
      BY SENATOR(S) Gibbs, Schwartz, Romer, Bacon, Cadman, Hudak,
      Johnston, Kester, Sandoval, Scheffel, Steadman, Tapia, White, Brophy,
      Heath, Hodge, Penry, Spence, Tochtrop, Whitehead, Williams;
      also REPRESENTATIVE(S) Scanlan and Massey, Balmer, Baumgardner,
      Curry, Frangas, Liston, Merrifield, Pace, Casso, Labuda, Priola, Summers,
      Todd.
      
      
      Concerning authorizing Colorado mountain college to offer
           baccalaureate degrees.
       
      
      Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
      
           SECTION 1.  Legislative declaration.  (1)  The general assembly
      declares that:
      
           (a)  It is a priority in Colorado to afford the citizens in rural areas of
      the state greater access to higher education; and
      
           (b)  Four-year degrees are of increasing importance in enabling
      individuals to qualify for and obtain jobs.
      
           (2)  It is therefore in the best interests of the state of Colorado to
      grant Colorado Mountain College, a junior college that was created to offer
      two-year degrees, the authority to offer four-year baccalaureate degrees.
      
           SECTION 2.  23-71-102, Colorado Revised Statutes, is amended to
      read:
      
           23-71-102.  Definitions.  As used in this article, unless the context
      otherwise requires:
      
           (1)  "Junior college" means an educational institution which that
      provides not more than two years of training in the arts, sciences, and
      humanities beyond the twelfth grade of the public high school curriculum
      or vocational education and which that conducts occupational, technical,
      and community service programs, with no term limitations, and general
      education, including college transfer programs, with unrestricted
      admissions; except that Colorado mountain college, in addition to
      its mission as a junior college, may also offer no more than five
      baccalaureate degree programs as its board of trustees
      determines appropriate to address the needs of the communities
      within its service area and that are approved by the Colorado
      commission on higher education.
      
           SECTION 3.  Part 1 of article 71 of title 23, Colorado Revised
      Statutes, is amended BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION to read:
      
           23-71-133.  Approval of baccalaureate degrees.  (1)  When
      approving baccalaureate degrees for Colorado mountain college
      pursuant to the authority in section 23-71-102 (1), the Colorado
      commission on higher education shall make its determination
      based on the following criteria:
      
           (a)  Whether Colorado mountain college can demonstrate
      workforce and student demand for the baccalaureate degree
      program by providing data;
      
           (b)  Whether Colorado mountain college can demonstrate
      regional and professional accreditation requirements, when
      applicable, and compliance with those requirements as deemed
      appropriate at both the institutional and program levels;
      
           (c)  Whether Colorado mountain college can demonstrate
      that its provision of the baccalaureate degree program is the
      most cost-effective method of providing the baccalaureate
      degree program in its service area; and
      
           (d)  Whether Colorado mountain college can provide a
      cost-benefit analysis showing that the additional baccalaureate
      degree program will not create a negative impact for the college
      or require additional state appropriated moneys to operate.
      
           SECTION 4.  Safety clause.  The general assembly hereby finds,
      determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate
      preservation of the public peace, health, and safety.
      
      
      
      
      ____________________________  ____________________________
      Brandon C. Shaffer                Terrance D. Carroll
      PRESIDENT OF                     SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
      THE SENATE                         OF REPRESENTATIVES
      
      
      
      
      
      
      ____________________________  ____________________________
      Karen Goldman                          Marilyn Eddins
      SECRETARY OF                 CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE
      THE SENATE                         OF REPRESENTATIVES
      
      
      
      
                  APPROVED________________________________________
      
      
      
      
      
                                    _________________________________________
                                    Bill Ritter, Jr.
                                    GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF COLORADO