C.R.S. § 24-38-302: Postsecondary talent development system transition advisory committee - creation - membership - transition plan.

(1) The postsecondary talent development system transition advisory committee is created in the governor's office. The purpose of the transition committee is to develop the transition plan described in section 24-38-303 that includes recommendations to integrate the state's delivery of public programs and services that support Coloradans pursuing postsecondary education, training, or employment.

(2) The transition committee consists of the following members:

(a) The executive director of the department of labor and employment or the executive director's designee;

(b) The executive director of the department of higher education or the executive director's designee;

(c) The executive director of the office of economic development and international trade or the executive director's designee;

(d) The director of occupational education appointed pursuant to section 23-60-104 (2)(a)(II) or the director's designee;

(e) The chair of the executive committee of the Colorado workforce development council;

(f) The chair of the Colorado commission on higher education;

(g) The following members, appointed by the governor:

(I) A representative of the governor's office;

(II) An individual representing large business with expertise in human resources, a talent officer, or another individual with professional experience related to workforce development and talent strategy;

(III) Two directors representing local workforce areas;

(IV) A representative of a public four-year institution of higher education;

(V) A representative of an area technical college;

(VI) A representative of a public two-year institution of higher education or local district college;

(VII) A faculty member of a public institution of higher education whose primary duties include teaching or direct instruction of students;

(VIII) A representative of an advocacy group that advocates for public education;

(IX) A representative of a workforce development advocacy group or nonprofit organization;

(X) A representative of the state apprenticeship council created in section 8-15.7-105;

(XI) A representative of a group apprenticeship training committee;

(XII) A registered apprenticeship program employer sponsor; and

(XIII) An individual with experience administering work-based learning programs in K-12 education or advising high school students about postsecondary opportunities;

(h) The following members, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives:

(I) A representative of a public four-year institution of higher education;

(II) A representative of an educational advocacy group or nonprofit organization; and

(III) A county commissioner of a county that delivers workforce development programs;

(i) The following members, appointed by the president of the senate:

(I) A representative of a public two-year institution of higher education or local district college; and

(II) A representative of the employee organization certified as the representative of covered employees in a partnership unit pursuant to section 24-50-1106;

(j) A representative of an association that represents business, appointed by the minority leader of the house of representatives; and

(k) A representative of the small business community, appointed by the minority leader of the senate.

(3) (a) The appointing authorities described in subsection (2) of this section shall make their appointments to the transition committee as soon as possible after May 28, 2026, but no later than June 23, 2026.

(b) In appointing members to the transition committee, the appointing authorities shall make reasonable efforts to consider appointing members that, along with meeting the board's specified membership requirements, reflect the geographic and demographic diversity of the entire state, including members from both rural and urban parts of the state; members of diverse political, racial, disability, and cultural groups; and members of diverse sexual orientations and genders.

(c) To inform the work of the transition committee, and to ensure critical stakeholders have the opportunity to provide feedback on what a system of postsecondary talent development must deliver for Colorado, the executive directors of the department of labor and employment, the department of higher education, and the office of economic development and international trade, and the director of occupational education may gather feedback from stakeholders through meetings held separately from transition committee meetings, including through meetings held prior to the transition committee's first meeting.

(d) The governor shall appoint the chair of the transition committee from among the transition committee's members. The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint the vice-chair of the transition committee from among the transition committee's members.

(e) Members of the transition committee serve without compensation and without reimbursement for expenses.

(4) (a) The chair of the transition committee shall convene the first meeting of the transition committee no later than July 1, 2026.

(b) The transition committee shall meet at least once each month until the transition committee submits the transition plan to the joint budget committee pursuant to section 24-38-303. The chair may call additional meetings as necessary for the transition committee to complete its duties. The committee is not required to meet after it submits the transition plan to the joint budget committee.

(c) Members of the transition committee may participate remotely in transition committee meetings.

(d) The governor's office shall provide staff assistance, including assisting the transition committee with preparing the transition plan and providing meeting space and audiovisual communication technology resources to assist in completing the duties of the transition committee.

(5) (a) In carrying out its duties, the transition committee shall, to the extent practicable, engage with interested and affected individuals in all areas of the state and across a wide variety of program types, and shall actively seek input and guidance from:

(I) Employees of the department of higher education, the department of labor and employment, and any other affected state department;

(II) Employers, workforce center employees and participants, community-based workforce development organizations, registered apprenticeship programs and apprentices;

(III) The state rehabilitation council established by the department of labor and employment and participants in vocational rehabilitation programs described in part 1 of article 84 of title 8;

(IV) Employees of public institutions of higher education, including faculty, instructors, and staff, and labor organizations that represent workers in public higher education; and

(V) Students enrolled in postsecondary education and training programs at public institutions of higher education, including area technical colleges, community colleges, and universities; and faculty, students, student organizations, and other interested parties from public institutions of higher education.

(b) The transition committee shall consult with employees of the department of higher education and the department of labor and employment about departmental operations considerations.