HB15-1146: Colorado Student Leaders Institute

• Creates the Colorado Student Leaders Institute, a 4-week summer residential program hosted by the University of Colorado at Denver for students entering 10th or 11th grade, offering college-level classes and enrichment activities in STEAM, language arts, and global studies without charging tuition or fees.

• Participants must complete a history research project competition and a public service practicum with findings and recommendations submitted to the General Assembly; successful completion awards 3 hours of postsecondary academic credit.

• Establishes a 14-member executive board including 2 senators, 2 representatives, 7 governor-appointed members (educators and community leaders), and 3 state officials to oversee operations, select students and faculty, and appoint an executive director.

• Ensures at least 50% of selected students are eligible for free/reduced-price lunch or are first-generation college students; guarantees at least 2-3 students per county participate depending on the year; allows travel stipends for eligible students.

• Program capacity is up to 136 students in 2015-2016 and 192 students in 2017-2018; appropriates $356,260 from the state education fund for 2015-16; automatically repeals July 1, 2019.