The Senate Education Committee killed SB 26-069, which would have created the Colorado Domestic Exchange Program in partnership with the American Exchange Project, after a failed 3-4 vote on referral and a subsequent motion to postpone indefinitely, with opponents arguing state Department of Education involvement was unnecessary for a program serving fewer than 50 Colorado students.
Senator Benavidez asked sponsors directly whether there is a commitment for all of the approximately $500,000 in program funding, not just the approximately $45,000 state portion. Senator Bright deferred to Senator Daugherty, who deferred to David McCullough III. Sponsors did not directly answer before deferring, and David McCullough III confirmed the total was closer to $500,000.
+ 4 more controversies
“For too long, many of our young people have graduated high school without ever leaving their community, without ever sitting across from a classmate from a different town, a different background, or a different way of life. We know what this costs us, and we've seen it recently. It costs us empathy, it costs us curiosity, and it costs us the civic bonds that hold a healthy democracy together.”
+ 4 more quotes
Subscribe to see all key actions, controversies, quotes, and what's next.
Sign in to subscribeSenate Education Committee will come to order. Ms. Kurtzfelden, please call the roll. Senators Bright. Here. Kip. Here. Liston. Excused. Rich. Here. Benavidez. Here. Marchman. Excused. Mr. Chair. Here. And we do have a quorum, so we'll begin our business. We have one bill Today, Senate Bill 69. Looks like we have our own Senator Bright and Senator Daugherty, who is remote. Who would like to begin? Senator Daugherty, thank you, and thank you, Committee. Proud to be here on Senate Bill 69. As far as this bill goes, I wanted to mention first of all, I met with a lot of the students. Some of the students have gone through this program in my district, and it was really wonderful to meet with them. And you're going to hear good testimony later. So a little bit about this bill. For too long, many of our young people have graduated high school without ever leaving their community, without ever sitting across from a classmate from a different town, a different background, or a different way of life. We know what this costs us, and we've seen it recently. It costs us empathy, it costs us curiosity, and it costs us…
Subscribe to unlock the full transcript, summary, and search across all Colorado committee hearings.
Sign in to subscribe