SB13-218: Colorado Key Industries Workforce Program

• Creates the Colorado Key Industries Workforce Program within the Department of Higher Education to provide grants to institutions for bachelor's degree programs (including applied science degrees) in key industry sectors including advanced manufacturing, aerospace, bioscience, defense, energy, financial services, technology, and 6 other designated industries.

• Requires grant applicants to demonstrate partnerships with key industry businesses that will provide dollar-for-dollar matching funds, agreements ensuring credit transferability between institutions, and evidence of workforce need for the degree being offered.

• Establishes an 11-member Colorado Key Industries Workforce Program Grant Board appointed by the governor (with senate consent) consisting of 7 business representatives from different industries, representatives from two-year institutions, four-year institutions, and research universities, plus the director of the Office of Economic Development.

• Targets nontraditional students who have obtained associate degrees and are seeking bachelor's degrees; eligible students may receive stipends from the Colorado Opportunity Fund.

• Appropriates $500,000 from the general fund to the Colorado Key Industries Workforce Program Fund for fiscal year 2013 and allocates $500,000 and 0.2 FTE to the Department of Higher Education for implementation; the grant board automatically repeals on September 1, 2023.