CO SB165

State Board for Community Colleges may seek approval from the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE) to offer up to 7 technical, career and workforce development baccalaureate degree programs at community colleges.

CCHE must consider whether proposed programs demonstrate workforce and student demand, meet accreditation requirements, are cost-effective, and are distinguishable from existing public four-year institution programs in the same geographic area or have been previously offered successfully with a four-year institution.

Community colleges remain primarily two-year institutions but may offer limited four-year baccalaureate degrees upon board approval, excluding Bachelor of Arts programs except for Bachelor of Fine Arts.

CCHE may consult with public four-year institutions sharing the same geographic service area to assess anticipated system-wide effects of new degree programs.

Act takes effect August 7, 2013, or upon voter approval if a referendum petition is filed during the ninety-day period after legislative adjournment.