CO SJM001

Congress created a federal mandate in 1910 requiring Colorado to provide tuition-free education to American Indian and Alaska Native students at Fort Lewis College.

Fort Lewis College enrolled 1,235 American Indian and Alaska Native students from 155 tribes in 2014, including 965 students from 46 other states, and awards more undergraduate and STEM degrees to Native American students than any other four-year institution in the nation.

Proposed federal legislation would only fund tuition costs for out-of-state American Indian and Alaska Native students, leaving Colorado responsible for in-state students and any costs exceeding federal funding.

The memorial encourages Congress to support legislation assisting Colorado in funding the federally mandated Native American Tuition Waiver Program for out-of-state students while recognizing Colorado's responsibility for in-state students.

Copies of the memorial are directed to be sent to the U.S. Department of Education Secretary, Senate and House education committee chairs, and Colorado's Congressional delegation.