C.R.S. § 23-1-102: Commission established - terms of office - definition.

(1) Repealed.

(2) There is established a central policy and coordinating board for higher education in the state of Colorado, to be known as the Colorado commission on higher education, referred to in this article 1 as the "commission". The duties and powers delegated to the commission by this article 1 apply to all state-supported institutions of higher education, including, but not limited to, all postsecondary institutions in the state supported in whole or part by state funds, and including community colleges, extension programs of the state-supported universities and colleges, local district colleges, area technical colleges, the Auraria higher education center established in article 70 of this title 23, and specifically the regents of the university of Colorado and the institutions it governs. The governing boards and institutions of the public system of higher education in Colorado, including the university of Colorado, are obligated to conform to the policies set by the commission within the authorities delegated to it in this article 1. The commission is a type 1 entity, as defined in section 24-1-105.

(3) (a) The commission consists of the following members, appointed by the governor with the consent of the senate:

(I) One member from each congressional district in the state;

(II) Three members from the state at large;

(III) One student member who, at the time of appointment, is enrolled as a student at a state-supported graduate research university or a state-supported four-year institution of higher education; and

(IV) One student member who, at the time of appointment, is enrolled as a student at a state-supported community college, local district college, or area technical college.

(b) The governor shall select the members of the commission on the basis of their knowledge of and interest in higher education. At least one member of the commission who is not a student member must reside west of the continental divide. No more than a minimum majority of the members of the commission may be affiliated with the same political party at any time. To the extent practicable, the commission membership must include persons with disabilities and reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of the state. A student member appointed pursuant to this section is a nonvoting member of the commission.

(b) When appointing the members of the commission, the governor:

(I) Shall ensure that the members are selected on the basis of their knowledge of and interest in higher education;

(II) Shall ensure that at least one member of the commission who is not a student member resides west of the continental divide;

(III) On and after January 1, 2027, may appoint at least one member of the commission that is at least fifty-five years old and either is actively involved in or has interest, knowledge, or experience in advocating for the interests of individuals engaged in higher education who are fifty-five years old or older; and

(IV) Shall ensure that the commission does not have more than a minimum majority of the members affiliated with the same political party at any time. To the extent practicable, the commission membership must include persons with disabilities and reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of the state. A student member appointed pursuant to this section is a nonvoting member of the commission.

(c) The term of each nonstudent member is four years, and the term of a student member is two years; except that the terms are staggered so that no more than a minimum majority of members' terms expire in the same year. No member of the commission may serve more than two consecutive full terms. A student member who graduates from the student's state-supported institution of higher education during the student's term may continue to serve on the commission through the natural expiration date of the student member's term.

(3.5) (a) On or before July 1, 2027, the governor shall make the initial appointments of student members.

(b) If a student member appointed pursuant to subsection (3)(a)(III) of this section withdraws from either a state-supported graduate research university or a state-supported four-year institution of higher education and does not immediately re-enroll as a student at a different state-supported graduate research university or state-supported four-year institution of higher education, then a vacancy is created. If a student member appointed pursuant to subsection (3)(a)(IV) of this section withdraws from a state-supported community college, local district college, or area technical college and does not immediately re-enroll as a student at a different state-supported community college, local district college, or area technical college, then a vacancy is created. The governor shall fill a vacancy created pursuant to this subsection (3.5)(b) by appointing a new student member for the remainder of the unexpired term.

(4) (a) At the time of appointment, a member of the commission must not have been an officer, employee, or member of a governing board or an officer or employee of a state-supported institution of higher education in the state for a period of one year prior to the member's appointment. During a member of the commission's term of office, the member must not be a member of the general assembly or an officer, employee, or member of a governing board or an officer or employee of a state-supported institution of higher education.

(b) The requirements in subsection (4)(a) of this section regarding connections with a governing board or state-supported institution of higher education do not apply to a student member.

(5) Members of the commission are entitled to receive seventy-five dollars per diem for attendance at official meetings plus actual and necessary expenses incurred in the conduct of official business.

(6) The commission shall meet as often as necessary to carry out its duties as defined in this article.

(7) The term of any member of the commission who misses more than two consecutive regular commission meetings without good cause shall be terminated and his successor appointed in the manner provided for appointments under this section.

(8) (a) Repealed.

(b) (Deleted by amendment, L. 2000, p. 412, § 2, effective April 13, 2000.)

(9) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires, "student member" means a member of the commission appointed pursuant to subsection (3)(a)(III), (3)(a)(IV), or (3.5) of this section.