Colorado Bill Seen as Model for Improving Credit Transfer

Inside Higher Ed

Jessica Blake

May 7, 2024

Inefficient credit transfer has been a chronic problem in higher education, costing countless students extra time and money to complete their degrees. But legislation recently passed in Colorado could change that and help bolster degree attainment numbers in the state.

The bill, which refines the state’s existing transfer policies, passed both chambers with overwhelming bipartisan support late last month. Local and national education policy experts expect Governor Jared Polis, a Democrat, to sign the bill into law by early next week.

Advocates for easing college transfer say that, if passed and enforced, the bill could become a commonly replicated model as states across the country increase their focus on better supporting adult and working learners and look for new ways to get them to and through college.

“Transferring college credits is becoming more and more common as students look for opportunities to save time and money in their higher education careers. However, it’s currently a confusing and time-intensive process that, when done incorrectly, can result in students losing a full semester of credits,” state Senator Janet Buckner, a Democrat and co-sponsor of the legislation, said in a statement to Inside Higher Ed. “My hope is that this commonsense, bipartisan bill will stand as an example for other states so that we can improve educational attainment and economic mobility for students across the country.”

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