Senator Zenzinger and Senator Rankin, co-sponsors, presented Senate Bill 21-185, which concerns supporting the educator workforce in Colorado. The co-sponsors provided opening comments on the bill.

The co-sponsors answered questions from the committee.

Berrick Abramson, representing the Keystone Policy Center & Education System Resilience & Innovation Initiative (ESRII), testified in support of the bill. Mr. Abramson answered questions from the committee.

Evan Kennedy, representing the Public Education & Business Coalition (PEBC), testified in support of the bill.

Brianna Mestas, representing herself and the PEBC, testified in support of the bill.

Frank Reeves, Superintendent of the East Grand School District and also representing the Rural Alliance, testified in support of the bill.

Leslie Colwell, representing Colorado Children's Campaign, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Colwell answered questions from the committee.

Alessandra Tibbetts, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Benjamin Waters, representing Stand for Children Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Waters answered questions from the committee.

Amie Baca-Oehlert, representing the Colorado Education Association, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Baca-Oehlert answered questions from the committee.

The co-sponsors distributed and explained amendment L.002 (Attachment B).

The co-sponsors distributed and explained amendment L.003 (Attachment C).

The co-sponsors distributed and explained amendment L.005 (Attachment D).

The co-sponsors distributed and explained amendment L.006 (Attachment E).

The committee discussed amendment L.006.

Committee members made comments on the bill and the co-sponsors answered questions. Committee discussion ensued.

The co-sponsors and members of the committee provided closing comments.