Section 23-5-145.7 - Funding for nondegree credential programs - duty - policy - appropriation - report - definitions - repeal(1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) "Apprenticeship certificate" means verification of completion of an apprenticeship program. Apprenticeship certificates are applicable to industry trades and professions.(b) "Colorado talent report" means the report prepared pursuant to section 24-46.3-103.(c) "Commission on higher education" or "commission" has the same meaning as set forth in section 23-1-101.1 (1).(d) "Community and technical college" means the community and technical colleges described in section 23-60-205 or institutions of higher education that offer career and technical education programs or associate degrees.(e) "Department" means the department of higher education created and existing pursuant to section 24-1-114.(f) "Industry certification" means a credential awarded by an industry-recognized third party or industry-governing board based on an individual demonstrating by assessment that the individual has acquired the designated knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform a specific occupation or skill. Industry certifications may be time-limited dependent upon the occupation or industry.(g) "Local district college" has the same meaning as defined in section 23-71-102 (1).(h) "Nondegree credential" means a postsecondary certificate, apprenticeship certificate, professional license, or industry certification.(i) "Postsecondary certificate" means a credential awarded by an institution of higher education at an undergraduate level based on completion of all requirements for a program of study, including course work and exams. Postsecondary certificates are not time-limited and do not require renewal. "Postsecondary certificate" does not include a degree and does not include a credential awarded by an institution of higher education after completion of a bachelor's degree in the same pathway.(2) Subject to the appropriation in subsection (6) of this section, the commission shall allocate and disburse funds to community and technical colleges and local district colleges to fund student access to nondegree credential programs.(3) The commission shall create a policy concerning the allocation and disbursement of funds. The policy must prioritize funding nondegree credential programs that: (a) Are part of an industry-aligned pathway;(b) Are associated with industries identified in the most recent Colorado talent report;(c) Are stackable in alignment with section 23-5-145.6; and(d) Address critical job shortages in Colorado.(4) On or before September 1, 2023, each community and technical college or local district college that receives funding pursuant to this section shall submit a report to the department. At a minimum, the report must include data to measure the total number of credentials earned and subsequent placements in jobs that are responsive to workforce demands pursuant to the nondegree credential program. The report must include the data for the state as a whole and for each recipient, in total and disaggregated by race, ethnicity, and gender.(5) On or before January 5, 2024, the department shall submit a report to the education committees of the senate and the house of representatives, or any successor committees, regarding the funding allocated and distributed pursuant to this section. At a minimum, the report must summarize the information provided to the department pursuant to subsection (4) of this section.(6) For the 2022-23 state fiscal year, the general assembly shall appropriate one million eight hundred thousand dollars to the department for the purposes of this section. The department shall not use more than three percent of the appropriation to administer the requirements of this section.(7) This section is repealed, effective July 1, 2024.Added by 2022 Ch. 227, § 3, eff. 5/26/2022.