Early community college opportunities for high school students took a hit in the spring with changes to Colorado’s state budget.
The change “is going to impact our community of students,” said Rebecca Woulfe, Front Range Community College provost and vice president of academic affairs, in a press conference with student journalists.
In 2024, 2,144 students from 60 districts completed their first year of college through the Accelerating Students through the Concurrent Enrollment (ASCENT) program. Last fall, a record-high 489 ASCENT students attended FRCC. These students remain in high school for a fifth year, but enroll and study full-time in the Colorado Community College System.
School districts pay tuition, and in some cases, books and other fees under ASCENT. However, the passage of SB25-315 in May means its funding is discontinued after the 2025-2026 school year.
In a follow-up email, Woulfe noted ASCENT students take an average of 6 credits, but full financial impact analyses have not been done yet.
Between Fall 2023 and Fall 2025, an average of 370 ASCENT students enrolled at FRCC each semester. With a cost of $175 per credit (once COF stipends are applied), losing ASCENT students could cut tuition revenue by up to $388,500 in Fall 2026.
Woulfe said state funds have “been moved toward other programs that the legislators thought were a better use of the money,” such as Pathways in Technology Early College High Schools (P-TECH) — a six-year, industry-specific program.
Under that program, schools work with a community college and “industry partner” company to create credential and internship pathways. Students begin the program in ninth grade and graduate with a high school diploma and an associate’s degree after 14th grade.
School districts still pay for students’ community college tuition, but students can only pursue majors and/or credentials within their P-TECH pathways, such as cybersecurity, computer information systems, or welding. While a strong option for some students, many seniors planning on joining the ASCENT program are ineligible for P-TECH or wish to pursue programs outside technical pathways.
Woulfe advises students in this situation to consider the Colorado Promise Program, which gives Colorado graduates (from families making under $90,000 a year) tuition refunds through a state tax credit.
“You pay for your college education, but when you file your taxes, you get all of that tuition money returned to you,” Woulfe said.
