ColoradoState reports track textbook-free courses and fund college resources
The higher education department reports annually on open educational resources, including textbook-free public college courses, and may use $275,000 for related work in 2026–27.
What it does
The department reports each year on open educational resources across Colorado. The report counts public college courses with no textbook costs for students.
The council has 15 members from public colleges, including library professionals, instructional design experts, and administrators.
The law provides $275,000 for open educational resources work in the 2026–27 state budget year. The department may use it for related initiatives.
Argument forCounting courses with no textbook costs could help state leaders see how many public college courses offer students that option.
Argument againstAnnual reports could add work for department staff and public colleges, which must help provide the information.
More detail
The Department of Higher Education submits an annual report on open educational resources. The report covers the development and use of open educational resources across Colorado, including public college courses. The department works with the Colorado Open Educational Resources Council, and public colleges help provide information for the report. Reports are due annually on or before December 1, through December 31, 2031.
The Colorado Open Educational Resources Council has 15 members from public colleges. The listed council seats include four library professionals, two instructional design experts, one academic technologist, and two administrators. The department’s executive director appoints the members.
The Department of Higher Education receives a $275,000 appropriation for open educational resources initiatives. The appropriation is for the department’s use through the Colorado Commission on Higher Education and higher education special purpose programs. The money comes from the general fund and is based on an assumption that the department needs one additional full-time position. The department may use the money for open educational resources initiatives. The appropriation is for state fiscal year 2026–27.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 1Governor Jared Polis SignedBecame Law
- May 27Signed by the Speaker of the HouseMajor
- May 27Signed by the President of the SenateMajor
- May 27Sent to the GovernorTo Governor
- May 12House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass
- Vote recorded REPASS. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded CONCUR. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded CONCUR. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded REPASS. Result: pass.Lower
- May 11Senate Third Reading Passed - No AmendmentsPassed Senate
- Vote recorded BILL. Result: pass.Upper
- May 8Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to Senate Committee of the WholeMinor
- Vote recorded Adopt amendment J.003. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Refer House Bill 26-1016, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. Result: pass.Upper
- May 8Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee
- May 6Senate Committee on Education Refer Unamended to AppropriationsMinor
- Vote recorded Refer House Bill 26-1016 to the Committee on Appropriations. Result: pass.Upper
- May 5House Third Reading Passed - No AmendmentsPassed House
- Vote recorded BILL. Result: pass.Lower
- May 5Introduced In Senate - Assigned to EducationMinor
- May 4House Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to House Committee of the WholeMinor
- Vote recorded Refer House Bill 26-1016, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Adopt amendment J.002. Result: pass.Lower
- May 4House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee
- Jan 29House Committee on Education Refer Unamended to AppropriationsMinor
- Vote recorded Refer House Bill 26-1016 to the Committee on Appropriations. Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 14Introduced In House - Assigned to EducationIntroduced
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