Legislative
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In 2014, the Colorado legislature committed $34 million toward a new initiative to create a network of student support and scholarship programs throughout the state. By increasing student success and financial resources, the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative set out to create greater postsecondary access, persistence, and retention for Coloradans. The work of the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative is pursuant to HB 14-1384 and SB 20-006.
COSI addresses statewide postsecondary attainment in two ways:
COSI funds programs that prepare students for postsecondary education and support them through completion. 78% of program participants are students of color, and COSI Scholars persist at rates 15% points higher than peers of similar backgrounds.
COSI provides tuition support to students via matching funds for community scholarships, helping to keep down tuition costs and reducing student loan debt. 64% of COSI scholars are students of color, and three-quarters are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant. These students outpace their non-COSI counterparts by 25%.
Notice of Rulemaking Hearing
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION
Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative (COSI)
Notice of Rulemaking Hearing
Hearing Date: June 26, 2026, at 8:00 am
Location: Zoom Link
Contact: Crystal Annan, Senior Director, Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative
Email: crystal.annan@dhe.state.co.us
Statutory Authority
This rulemaking is initiated pursuant to § 23‑3.3‑1004(4), C.R.S., which authorizes the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative Advisory Board to promulgate rules necessary for the administration of the Initiative and House Bill 14‑1384 which established COSI and its governing framework.
Subject of Rulemaking
COSI proposes revisions to its rules, promulgated at 8 CCR 1504‑9. These revisions modernize the structure of the rules, update grant processes, clarify definitions, remove references to programs ending in FY26, and align the rules with current policy and statutory requirements.
The proposed changes include updates to:
Definitions
Matching Student Scholarship grant process
Community Partner Program grant process
Matching fund requirements
Evaluation and scoring procedures
Monitoring and compliance expectations
Removal or amendment of provisions tied to federal programs sunsetting June 2026
General clarity, organization, and alignment with COSI operations
These proposed revisions ensure continued compliance with statute, modernize language, improve clarity, and better align the rules to reflect COSI practice and statewide higher education goals.
A full redline and clean version of the proposed rules is included with this notice.
Purpose and Summary of Proposed Changes
The proposed revisions:
- Update and clarify definitions to reflect the conclusion of certain federal programs and evolving program design
- Modernize the Matching Student Scholarship grant process, including clarifying matching fund policy and documentation requirements
- Clarify evaluation, scoring, and recommendation processes for both Matching Student Scholarships and Community Partner Program grants
- Align administrative cost allowances and monitoring expectations across all eligible programs
- Improve public transparency and usability of the rules for grantees, institutions, and community partners
Rulemaking Hearing
The Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative will hold a public rulemaking hearing on the date and time listed above in accordance with § 24-4-103(4)(a), C.R.S. Members of the public may attend and provide verbal comment regarding the proposed changes at the hearing or submit written comment. To ensure adequate review time, written comments are encouraged at least seven days before the hearing,
Submission of Written Comments
Comments may be submitted via:
Email: Crystal.annan@dhe.state.co.us
Physical mail: Colorado Department of Higher Education
COSI
1600 Broadway
Suite 2200
Denver, CO 80202
All comments received will become part of the permanent rulemaking record.
The notice of rulemaking as well as a clean and redlined version of the proposed rules are attached in the file section below. Proposed rules are also available in the Google drive.