CO SB069

Creates the Colorado Domestic Exchange Program within the Department of Education, enabling high school seniors to participate in a 2-week exchange the summer after graduation—one week visiting another state and one week hosting out-of-state students in their hometown

Participating students pay nothing for meals, flights, activities, lodging, or transportation; the program aims to increase empathy, civic curiosity, and cross-cultural understanding among young people from different political, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds

Requires the Department of Education to contract with a public or private entity experienced in national domestic youth exchanges to coordinate and administer the program

Program implementation is contingent on the Department receiving at least $45,000 in gifts, grants, or donations by June 30, 2027; if this threshold is not met, donations will be returned to donors

Creates the Colorado Domestic Exchange Program Cash Fund to hold contributions, with money distribution to begin July 1, 2027, for the 2027-28 fiscal year