CO SB156

Creates the "Colorado College Preparation and Enrichment Program" in the Department of Higher Education, administered by the Office of Educational Equity, to build partnerships between K-12 schools and institutions of higher education with goals of increasing high school graduation, college matriculation, and degree completion rates.

Appropriates $500,000 annually to each participating institution of higher education, which must use funds for services including college advising, financial aid assistance, guaranteed admissions pathways, academic support, and wraparound services for enrolled cohorts of students from partner schools.

Requires participating institutions to partner with eligible K-12 schools beginning in eighth grade to provide college preparation tools, identify acceptance pathways, conduct needs assessments, place college counselors at schools, and appoint a primary contact person to coordinate services.

Establishes eligibility criteria for participating K-12 schools based on low FAFSA completion rates, high percentages of first-generation and low-income students, college application gaps, low graduation rates, high truancy rates, and other need-based metrics.

Requires annual reports beginning October 1, 2025, measuring program return on investment including graduation rates, college matriculation rates, recruitment rates by demographic group, retention rates, and student perception of attending higher education institutions.