Education has long been a key to opening doors and increasingly an advanced degree is the gateway to better-paying jobs. But unfortunately Colorado ranks near the bottom of all 50 states in per-student investment in higher education (as well in K-12 education), with students and families being forced to make up the difference. Cumulative student debt in the United States now exceeds $1 trillion; this is a burden on millions of current and former students, a barrier for millions of would-be students, and a drag on our economy.

Fortunately Colorado allows “Concurrent Enrollment,” through which high school students to earn a two-year associates degree or pursue a technical training program at the same time as they are earning their high school diploma. (Read more about these programs at http://www.cde.state.co.us/postsecondary/concurrentenrollment). In the most recent year for which data is available, 19,000 students statewide, including more than 3,000 at the Community College of Aurora, took advantage of concurrent enrollment. In addition, Colorado’s “guaranteed transfer” makes it possible in most cases to transfer credits earned in a two-year degree program at a public college or university in Colorado to a four-year degree program. Especially when combined with Concurrent Enrollment, this makes it possible to earn a four-year degree in less time and at less cost. (Read more about guaranteed transfer at http://highered.colorado.gov/Academics/Transfers/Students.html).

I support creative programs like these to allow Colorado students to get the education they want and the job skills they need while keeping student debt to a minimum, and I support attempts to make sure all students know about and can take advantage of these opportunities.