The Colorado General Assembly wrapped its 2025 session with several legislative outcomes that will directly benefit Metropolitan State University of Denver students and programs. Easing licensure requirements for future teachers and expanding roles for speech-language pathology assistants, the session demonstrated continued support for aligning higher education with workforce and societal needs.
Budget: relief with caveats
Lawmakers approved a budget that protects public colleges and universities from severe funding cuts forecast earlier in the year. MSU Denver is set to receive about $3.3 million, up from the $1.2 million that University budget planners previously anticipated, said Kaycee Gerhart, vice president for Government and External Affairs. However, it’s still well below the $9 million allocation that the University received to cover cost increases last year. When combined with projected tuition revenue, the additional funding helps reduce MSU Denver’s projected budget shortfall for fiscal 2026 from $5 million to $2.5 million. While lawmakers averted steeper cuts by identifying one-time funding that could be diverted to state priorities such as education and health care, structural challenges in the state’s financial position likely mean leaner funding next year and beyond.
Key legislative outcomes get approved
HB 1075: expanding Speech Language Pathology-A roles
To address Colorado’s shortage of speech-language pathologists, House Bill 1075 expands the scope of employment for speech-language pathology assistants (SLP-As). The legislation allows these professionals to work in settings beyond K-12 schools, such as health care and early-childhood education. MSU Denver’s SLP-A certificate program is well-positioned to prepare students for these broader career opportunities.
SB 154: streamlining teacher licensure
Senate Bill 154 simplifies the path to teacher licensure by limiting the number of required exams and allowing candidates to prove qualifications in more ways than just testing. The change benefits MSU Denver students pursuing Education degrees. Dean Elizabeth Hinde, Ph.D., and a student testified in support of the bill. It also requires universities to offer certain off-campus courses at community-college tuition rates to stay in the Teacher Recruitment and Educator Preparation program, keeping costs affordable.
Other bills of note that passed
- HB 1038: Launches a postsecondary transfer website this summer to simplify student transitions between institutions.
- HB 1186: Creates a pilot work-based learning consortium; MSU Denver’s C2 Hub will evaluate participation as more information becomes available.
- HB 1192: Requires high-schoolers to practice completing Free Application for Federal Student Aid or Colorado Application for State Financial Aid forms before graduation.
- SB 50: Requires inclusion of Middle Eastern, North African and South Asian categories on state forms, including MSU Denver’s admissions applications.
- SB 276: Eliminates a citizenship-seeking affidavit requirement for Advancing Students for a Stronger Tomorrow (ASSET) students, streamlining access to financial aid for graduates of Colorado high schools.
- SB 315: Streamlines concurrent-enrollment programs and will eventually sunset Accelerating Students Through Concurrent Enrollment (ASCENT).
- SB 319: Makes technical changes to current higher-ed tax incentives to improve implementation.
Looking forward
SB 318: AI consumer protections
Senate Bill 318 aimed to refine Colorado’s artificial-intelligence regulation law (SB 24-205) by clarifying what constitutes algorithmic discrimination in consequential decision-making — including admissions, hiring, health care and education. The bill would have tied violations to major anti-discrimination statutes such as the Americans With Disabilities Act and the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
SB 318 was pulled before a vote, so the original AI law is set to take effect next February unless changes are made next session. MSU Denver is preparing for implementation.
The 2025 session brought meaningful progress for MSU Denver, particularly in aligning educational programs with workforce needs and policy updates. As state budget uncertainty looms, the University will continue to advocate for resources and legislation that advances student success and institutional resilience.
