As used in this article 3.7, unless the context otherwise requires:

1. (1) Career-aligned ESL classes or career-aligned English as a second language program means a curriculum or classes that support specific careers or occupations through the alignment of education, employment, and skills programs that accelerate an individual's ability to communicate on the job or in the pursuit of a job.
2. (2) Classes includes virtual classes with a live teacher, recorded classes, and additional curriculum and other supports associated with learning.
3. (2.5) Colorado refugee services program or CRSP means the Colorado refugee services program described in section 8-3.7-108.
4. (3) Department means the department of labor and employment created in section 24-1-121.
5. (4) English language learner or ELL means an individual who is linguistically diverse and who has a level of English language proficiency that requires language support.
6. (4.5) Federal act means Title IV of the federal Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. sec. 1521 et seq., as amended, including any federal rules adopted pursuant to the federal act.
7. (5) Immigrant or new American means a Coloradan who has arrived, or an individual who will arrive, to Colorado as an immigrant or refugee and includes the individual's children. Immigrant or new American includes: Refugees, asylees, special immigrant visa holders, victims of trafficking, recipients of the federal deferred action for childhood arrivals program, individuals granted humanitarian parole, and all other immigrants and aspiring citizens seeking opportunity, safety, or reunification of family.
8. (6) Integration means a dynamic, two-way process in which immigrants and new Americans and the receiving community work together to build secure, vibrant, and cohesive communities without having to forego their own cultural identity.
9. (7) ONA means the Colorado office of new Americans created in section 8-3.7-103.
10. (7.5) State plan means Colorado's refugee services plan described in section 8-3.7-108.
11. (8) Task force means the global talent task force created by ONA in section 8-3.7-107.
12. (9) Work-based learning has the same meaning as set forth in section 8-83-601 (15).
13. (10) Workforce partners includes entities that provide work-based learning opportunities, job training, and other supports that enable individuals to connect with in-demand jobs, industries, and occupations.

Source: L. 2021: Entire article added, (HB 21-1150), ch. 350, p. 2273, § 1, effective September 7. L. 2022: Entire section R&RE, (SB 22-140), ch. 357, p. 2557, § 3, effective July 1. L. 2023: (2.5), (4.5), and (7.5) added with relocations and (5) amended, (HB 23-1283), ch. 293, p. 1763, § 2, effective October 1, 2024.

Editor's note: Subsection (2.5) is similar to former § 26-2-138 (1)(b); subsection (4.5) is similar to former § 26-2-138 (1)(a); and subsection (7.5) is similar to former § 26-2-138 (1)(c), as those sections existed prior to 2023.

Cross references: For the legislative declaration in SB 22-140, see section 1 of chapter 357, Session Laws of Colorado 2022. For the legislative declaration in HB 23-1283, see section 1 of chapter 293, Session Laws of Colorado 2023.