Senate panel advances bill letting four‑year institutions offer off‑campus concurrent enrollment

The Senate Education Committee advanced House Bill 10 78 to the Committee on Appropriations with a 6–1 vote after sponsors said the measure removes a location‑based restriction that prevents four‑year institutions from delivering qualifying concurrent enrollment courses off campus.

Sponsor Senator Marchman described HB 10 78 as a targeted access bill that "removes a location based barrier so 4 year institutions can offer qualifying concurrent enrollment courses off campus as long as those courses meet all existing concurrent enrollment requirements." Co‑prime sponsor Senator Sarah Kirkmeyer told the committee the bill simply allows parity with community colleges by permitting online or off‑site delivery, saving districts and families transportation costs.

Chancellor Jennifer Sobonnet of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs testified in strong support, saying UCCS had 74 concurrent enrollment students this spring and that the bill "expands access, reduces barriers for students, and allows institutions to serve learners where they are without increasing costs or weakening accountability." Dr. Marielena DeSanctis of the Colorado Community College System said the system remained neutral and emphasized statutory safeguards for concurrent enrollment—accreditation, credential requirements for instructors, COF reporting, and prerequisite parity—and noted accountability mechanisms largely fall to school districts.

Sponsors told the committee they are continuing stakeholder negotiations and plan an amendment on second reading to address community college and Department of Education concerns about funding and credentialing. Senator Marchman moved the bill to Appropriations; the committee recorded a 6–1 vote to advance it.