Colorado Gov. Jared Polis visited CU Boulder on Monday for a bill-signing ceremony, highlighting three higher education measures aimed at expanding student access and strengthening Colorado's colleges and universities. 

Among the bills Polis signed was HB26-1078, a CU-initiated measure focused on expanding off-campus courses and concurrent enrollment opportunities for Colorado students. The bill, known as “Off-Campus Courses and Concurrent Enrollment Programs,” is designed to increase access to higher education pathways by supporting partnerships between colleges, universities and K-12 schools across the state. 

Polis also signed HB26-1006, which creates thriving institution designations for higher education institutions, and HB26-1016, which continues Colorado's Open Educational Resources Program to help reduce textbook and course material costs for students. 

The ceremony included brief remarks from Polis, CU system President Todd Saliman and bill sponsors: Representatives Lesley Smith and Eliza Hamrick. CU Boulder Chancellor Justin Schwartz was in attendance alongside Chancellor Jennifer Sobanet, Chancellor Kenneth Christensen, Regent Elliott Hood and Regent Ilana Spiegel.

CU system's Office of Government Relations is a full-time resource, helping build partnerships between the university and external stakeholders. Alongside CU Boulder's Office for Outreach and Community Engagement, it can assist campus community members with inviting state or federal officials to campus, meeting with legislators, fulfilling requests from elected officials, preparing for legislative testimonies and more.