CO SB164

Establishes student bill of rights requiring transparency on education costs (fees, expenses, financial aid), transfer credit processes, and work-related experiences awarded academic credit at Colorado public institutions of higher education.

Replaces "course numbering system" with "Guaranteed Transfer Pathway Matrix" to ensure seamless transfer of general education and lower-division courses among institutions with equivalent learning outcomes.

Requires institutions to provide transfer credit decisions within 30 days of admission and publish their transfer credit review process and timeline on institutional websites, updating within 30 days of any changes.

Authorizes the Department of Higher Education to enforce compliance, overturn improper transfer credit denials, and establish an appeals process for students challenging institutional transfer credit decisions.

Mandates annual reporting to the Colorado Commission on Higher Education beginning January 2026 detailing transfer student enrollment, completion timelines, and credit acceptance/application data by degree program.