Lawmakers in Colorado ax bill to expand Indian tuition program

Wednesday, April 30, 2014  

A bill to expand the Indian tuition program in Colorado is dead for now.

The Colorado House passed HB1124 to offer in-state tuition for members of federally recognized tribes with ties to the state. But the Senate Appropriations Committee killed the bill due to its $6 million price tag, Sen. Lois Tochtrop (D), a sponsor, told The Durango Herald.

“This is because of the funding. People are searching around for ways to balance the budget,” Tochtrop told the paper. “I’m rather disappointed.”

Members of the Southern Ute Tribe and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe already qualify for in-state tuition at public universities. The bill would have expanded the program to include members of 48 tribes with historical connections to Colorado.

Get the Story:
No in-state tuition breaks for tribes with historic ties to Colo. (The Durango Herald 4/30)

Colorado House passes bill to expand Indian tuition program (04/16)
Colorado measure offers in-state tuition for Indian students (2/6)