CO HB1164

Colorado Commission on Higher Education must conduct a comprehensive review of undergraduate and graduate degree programs at University of Colorado and Colorado State University by January 1, 2018, analyzing program costs, student outcomes, employment rates, and earnings.

Commission review must include specific data for each program: degrees awarded, enrollment numbers, average completion time, cost to students, faculty staffing, total institutional costs, job projections, employment rates at 2/5/10 years post-graduation, and federal loan default rates.

Commission must identify the top 20 percent highest-cost programs and bottom 20 percent lowest-performing programs (by employment and earnings outcomes) and analyze return on investment for both graduates and institutions.

Commission shall conduct reviews of remaining state institutions by January 1, 2020, and update all institutional reviews every two years thereafter, with reports submitted to the Joint Budget Committee and House and Senate education committees.

Statute automatically repeals July 1, 2026; act takes effect 90 days after final adjournment of the 2017 legislative session, subject to voter approval if a referendum petition is filed.