(1) The general assembly hereby finds and declares that the hospitality industry:
(a) Plays a vital role in Colorado's economy;
(b) Is diverse, with employers throughout the state;
(c) Employs more than two hundred forty thousand people in Colorado;
(d) Produces more than ten billion dollars in annual sales in Colorado;
(e) Creates sales that generate more than six hundred million dollars in state and local taxes annually; and
(f) Is an essential element of Colorado's economy.
(2) Therefore, the general assembly finds and declares that developing a hospitality career secondary education grant program for Colorado citizens will:
(a) Increase the number of Colorado citizens accessing postsecondary education;
(b) Increase the number of Colorado citizens completing degrees and other credentials;
(c) Decrease the need for remediation at the postsecondary level;
(d) Increase entry into employment and increase wages over time; and
(e) Create better transitions in educational programs for students in the hospitality career pathway from high school to college.
Source: L. 2014: Entire part added, (SB 14-015), ch. 329, p. 1457, § 1, effective June 5.