Jason Gonzales

Education represents the second largest lobbying interest at the Capitol, behind health care. There’s a lot at stake: Education — K-12 and higher ed — takes up about 45% of the general fund, yet Colorado still funds education at far lower levels than other states.

A bill making its way through the General Assembly would require colleges that abandon the tests to report on the impact that has on students.

The budget would restore many cuts made last year in response to the pandemic, resulting in big increases for higher ed.

The position, which was cut last year, would focus on helping low-income students and students of color earn degrees.

Colorado’s proposed budget also would provide more money to help students who have traditionally struggled to complete college.

How student debt has shaped their lives and what relief would mean to them.

Student advocates say the bill is part of a broader push for Colorado campuses to address injustice against Indigenous people.

A coalition of college trustees announced it will fight to improve state funding, narrow inequities in graduation rates, and better align education with workforce needs.

Getting employees vaccinated brings certainty to planning and eases fears, college leaders say.

When Colorado slashed their budgets during two past recessions, the colleges never fully recovered.