(1) The general assembly finds, determines, and declares that:
The Colorado commission on higher education can better serve the citizens of thisstate by providing oversight and direction for the provision of regional education at Adams state university, Colorado Mesa university, and Western Colorado university; and
As regional education providers, Adams state university, Colorado Mesa university,and Western Colorado university shall have as their primary goal the assessment of regional educational needs and, in consultation with the Colorado commission on higher education, the allocation of resources for the purposes of meeting those needs.
(2) A regional education provider's initiatives to meet its regional needs may include, but need not be limited to, the following:
Extension of existing programs;
Creation of new undergraduate programs;
Development of partnerships with two-year institutions; and
Facilitation of the delivery of graduate education through existing graduate institutions.
(3) The Colorado commission on higher education shall, in consultation with Adams state university, Colorado Mesa university, and Western Colorado university, establish the criteria for designation as a regional education provider.
Source: L. 2003: Entire section added, p. 788, § 7, effective July 1. L. 2011: (1)(a), (1)(b), and (3) amended, (SB 11-265), ch. 292, p. 1366, § 17, effective August 10. L. 2012: (1) and (3) amended, (HB 12-1080), ch. 189, p. 758, § 12, effective May 19; (1) and (3) amended, (HB 12-1331), ch. 254, p. 1269, § 10, effective August 1. L. 2019: (1) and (3) amended, (HB 191178), ch. 400, p. 3545, § 10, effective July 1.
Editor's note: Amendments to subsections (1) and (3) by House Bill 12-1080 and House Bill 12-1331 were harmonized.
Cross references: For the legislative declaration in the 2011 act amending subsections (1)(a), (1)(b), and (3), see section 1 of chapter 292, Session Laws of Colorado 2011.