McCluskie Earns Legislator of the Year Awards from Community Colleges and Children’s Campaign

DILLON, CO – The Colorado Children’s Campaign and the Colorado Community College System this week lauded Speaker Julie McCluskie with their legislator of the year awards. 

“From our youngest learners to Coloradans completing degrees in higher education, everyone in our state should have an opportunity to learn, thrive and pursue their dreams,” said Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon. “I’m so proud of our historic legislation to increase funding for K-12 public schools and direct more resources to rural schools, at-risk students, and special education. In recent years, we’ve made tremendous strides to bring down the cost of a community college degree and connect aspiring students with affordable pathways to good jobs in growing industries. I deeply appreciate the work of Colorado’s higher education institutions, education advocates and lawmakers from both parties who worked together to deliver these breakthrough results for Colorado.” 

This year, speaker McCluskie sponsored and the legislature passed a new school finance formula, which significantly increases funding for rural schools and districts that serve more at-risk and special education students.  The prior formula, which had not been significantly changed in nearly 30 years, did not prioritize student needs or rural schools. Under the new formula, a greater emphasis is now placed on the student characteristics in each district. 

Speaker McCluskie has been a champion of legislation to create new, affordable pathways to complete higher education degrees and programs in rural Colorado that set up students to thrive. She sponsored legislation to create the Opportunity Now Grant program, which funds collaborative efforts with higher education, businesses, trade associations and unions to create new training and degree programs in growing industries with workforce shortages.  

Speaker McCluskie sponsored SB24-164, which makes it easier to transfer college credits, improve transparency in higher education reporting, and ensure rights for students enrolled in postsecondary institutions.