- (1) On or before January 30, 2026, and on or before January 30 each year thereafter, the department and the work force development council, in collaboration with the department of higher education, the department of labor and employment, the Colorado community college system, and the Colorado office of economic development shall jointly develop, and publish on the department's and the work force development council's websites, a list of the qualified industry credentials that meet the quality standards required pursuant to section 23-5-145.8 (2)(c) for the next school year. At least annually, the department and the work force development council, in collaboration with the department of higher education, the department of labor and employment, the Colorado community college system, and the Colorado office of economic development shall identify and review the qualified industry credentials by identifying the jobs included in the Colorado talent report, prepared pursuant to section 24-46.3-103, with the greatest regional and state demand, including high-skill, high-wage jobs in in-demand industries, and, after consultation with relevant industries, identifying the qualified industry credentials that have labor market value and are likely to lead to the identified jobs. Any qualified industry credential that the department and the work force development council jointly determine do not demonstrate labor market value may be removed from the department's and the work force development council's websites.
(2)
(a) Each local education provider shall regularly communicate to all middle and high school students and the students' families:
- (I) The availability of concurrent enrollment programs; and
- (II) The availability of industry credential and work-based learning programs and the benefits a student receives as a result of successfully completing one of these programs or courses.
- (b) To the extent possible, all communications issued pursuant to this subsection (2) must be provided in a language that the students and the students' families understand. The goal of the communications must be to increase participation in, and completion of, industry-recognized credentials.
Source: L. 2025: Entire part added, (SB 25-315), ch. 237, p. 1189, § 1, effective May 23.