Continuation of Open Educational Resources Program

Longer support for Colorado college course materials

The law takes effect immediately and keeps Colorado’s open educational resources program and council authorized longer. Their repeal date moves from November 1, 2026, to November 1, 2031. For state budget year 2026–27, it provides $500,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Higher Education. This money supports the Colorado Commission on Higher Education and higher education special purpose programs, and may fund open educational resources. The funding assumes one additional full-time staff position but does not guarantee any student a set amount of savings. The council grows from 12 to 15 members: library professionals increase from three to four, instructional design experts from one to two, and administrators from one to two. One academic technologist replaces the single information technology expert seat. The department’s annual reporting requirement continues through December 31, 2031, and now includes the number and percentage of public college courses with zero textbook costs. The department must prepare reports with the council and public colleges. It must send them to the commission, council, Joint Budget Committee, and both legislative education committees.