It’s a well-known aphorism that neither property nor liberty are safe while the Legislature is in session! Suffice it to say that great changes are afoot at the Federal, State and Local levels – much of which affects the world of post-secondary and workforce preparation. For more information contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or follow the links below.

At the Federal Level:

Colorado has been named as a finalist for  Race to the Top funding. A team went to Washington to make our case on March 16: Counseling and CTE and Postsecondary Preparation are all referenced, as is STEM education. Click here to read more.

SAFRA (Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act) is the acronym for HR3221, which abolishes FFELP (in favor of Direct Loans), renews the College Access Challenge Grant and creates the College Access and Completion Grant Program. It was rolled into the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and the Reconciliation Act of 2010 and has been signed by the President.

At the State Level:

The State Board of Education adopted its rules for the ICAP (Individual Career and Academic Plans ). Note that CollegeInColorado.org meets all the requirements of the ICAP. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

The Concurrent Enrollment Advisory Board continues to meet on a monthly basis.  Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Despite a scary week, in which it was thought that the JBC would recommend its elimination, the Counselor Corps Grant Program continues. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Click here for more information.

CDHE’s Strategic Planning Initiative is under way, with a Steering Committee appointed by the Governor and four Sub-Committees include: Mission, Pipeline, Accessibility and Sustainability. Meetings are frequent and open to the public.

Having adopted the Post-Secondary and Workforce Readiness Definition (June 2009) and new Content Standards in 13 subject areas (December 2009), CDE and CDHE are working on statewide Assessments, due to be adopted by the State Board of Education by December 2010. To follow this process, see the Assessment Stakeholder Group and the series of Co-Convened Hearings. Your input is welcome…and vital! Click here for more information. 

Parent Involvement in Education: SACPIE (State Advisory Council for Parent Involvement in Education) meets on a monthly basis. Counselors, CTE and Higher Education are all represented. To be notified, contact Janna Oakes.

Current Legislation:

The Governor’s Budget proposal would limit the College Invest Early Achievers Scholarship Fund to existing undergraduates and eligible HS juniors and seniors. Click here for more information.

Legislation has been proposed to apply remaining College Invest Early Achievers Scholarship funding to scholarships for job training (SB10-39) and Green and Medical Job Training (HB10-1262).

Other bills range from expanding the offerings of Mesa State and Colorado Mountain Colleges to expanding Tuition Flexibility.

Changes at CDHE: Rico Munn has appointed Kim Poast Deputy Executive Director and Cheryl Lovell Chief Academic Officer.

Changes at College In Colorado: Dawn Taylor Owens has appointed Mackenzie Altman as the Outreach Coordinator for the Western Slope and Timpi Webber as the Outreach Coordinator for the Eastern Plains. Bridget Black has been appointed Communications Manager.  Ashley Sakker is now in charge of scheduling trainings. Click here for the College In Colorado Fact Sheet, which include contact information.