§ 24-46.3-201. Legislative Declaration

1. The general assembly hereby finds and declares that the hospitality industry:
   1. Plays a vital role in Colorado’s economy;
   2. Is diverse, with employers throughout the state;
   3. Employs more than two hundred forty thousand people in Colorado;
   4. Produces more than ten billion dollars in annual sales in Colorado;
   5. Creates sales that generate more than six hundred million dollars in state and local taxes annually; and
   6. 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:
   1. Increase the number of Colorado citizens accessing postsecondary education;
   2. Increase the number of Colorado citizens completing degrees and other credentials;
   3. Decrease the need for remediation at the postsecondary level;
   4. Increase entry into employment and increase wages over time; and
   5. 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.