Treffer: The Colorado Re-Engaged Initiative (CORE): Report on Program Implementation and Initial Student Outcomes. Report to the Education Committees of the House and Senate. Statute: 23-1-131.5

The Colorado Re-Engaged (CORE) initiative, created under House Bill 21-1330, allows a four-year institution of higher education (IHE) to award an associate degree to former students who meet eligibility requirements -- including having already earned at least 70 credit hours before stopping-out of a bachelor's program. Under HB21-1330, each institution participating in the CORE initiative must report annually to the Colorado Department of Higher Education the number of eligible students to whom the institution awarded an associate degree through the CORE initiative, the types of associate degrees awarded through the CORE initiative, and the number of students who re-enrolled in the institution after receiving an associate degree through the CORE initiative. The Department is required to review and compile these annual reports for the first year of the program and, by January 15, 2025, submit this report concerning implementation of the CORE initiative, including the degree to which students who receive associate degrees through the CORE initiative re-enroll in an institution to complete a bachelor's degree. The Department is also asked to provide recommendations for changes to the CORE initiative, including recommendations for incentives to encourage institutions to participate in the CORE initiative.

ERIC