Colorado Division of Private Occupational Schools
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Additional Contact
Secretary of State Contact
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1: Important Agency Information to Note
No response provided
2: Types of Educational Providers Authorized
_____ Public, in-state degree granting institutions
_____ Public, out-of-state degree granting institutions
__X__ Private, in-state, not-for-profit degree granting institutions
__X__ Private, out-of-state, not-for-profit degree granting institutions
__X__ Private, in-state, for-profit degree granting institutions
__X__ Private, out-of-state, for-profit degree granting institutions
_____ Public, in-state, non-degree granting institutions
_____ Public, out-of-state, non-degree granting institutions
__X__ Non-degree, not-for profit institutions
__X__ Non-degree, for-profit institutions
_____ Religious institutions
_____ Tribally-controlled institutions
_____ Federal Institutions
_____ Municipal institutions
____ Institution _____ Program __X___ Both
“Private Occupational School” or “school” defined as any entity or institution for profit or not for profit located within or without this state that offers educational credentials or educational services that constitute occupational education in this state and that is not specifically exempt from the provisions of this article 64.
“Degree” applies to Associate degree.
A program can only be approved by the Board for approved institutions
3: Accreditation
No
No response provided
Accreditation Required for:
____ Public, out-of-state degree granting institutions
____ Private, in-state, not-for-profit degree granting institutions
____ Private, out-of-state, not-for-profit degree granting institutions
____ Private, in-state, for-profit degree granting institutions
____ Private, out-of-state, for-profit degree granting institutions
____ Public, in-state, non-degree granting institutions
____ Public, out-of-state, non-degree granting institutions
____ Non-degree, not-for profit institutions
____ Non-degree, for-profit institutions
____ Religious institutions
____ Tribally-controlled institutions
____ Federal Institutions
____ Municipal institutions
No response provided
4: Exemptions
Yes
Please see the exemption list found at 23-64-104 in the Colorado Revised Statute
No response provided
5: Authorization of Distance Education
Only for out-of-state institutions offering purely online programs AND actively soliciting, recruiting, and/or enrolling Colorado residents as students.
N/A
Yes
For out-of-state institutions offering purely online programs AND actively soliciting, recruiting, and/or enrolling Colorado residents as students.
6: Physical Presence Policy
Yes, the definition can be found at BB in the definitions section of the Rules and Regulations:
"Physical presence" means a school that delivers educational services within Colorado, including any combination of factors lending to the determination that the institution maintains a physical presence within the state, including, but not limited to, the presence of a physical facility or equipment, whether owned, leased, rented, or provided without charge; the physical location of student records; or the presence of a resident director or similar administrator.
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7: Student Complaints - SARA Participating Institutions
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- Contact Name: Heather DeLange
- Title: Director, Office of Private Postsecondary Education
- Agency: Colorado Department of Higher Education
- Address: 1600 Broadway, Suite 2200 Denver, CO 80202
- Email: heather.delange@dhe.state.co.us
- Phone: 303-862-3001
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8: Student Complaints - Non-SARA Participating Institutions
Complaints pertaining to deceptive sales/trade only for out-of-state institutions, to be filed online.
DPOS/the Board handles the entirety of the complaint process, investigation and determination.
No, however, there is a separate unauthorized school process where the public can report operating unauthorized schools.
https://highered.colorado.gov/school-resources/dpos-connect-resources
- Contact Name: Mary Kanaly
- Title: Deputy Director
- Agency: Division of Private Occupational Schools
- Address: 1600 Broadway, Suite 2200 Denver, CO 80202
- Email: mary.kanaly@dhe.state.co.us
- Phone: 303-974-2670
- URL: https://highered.colorado.gov/complaint-procedures
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9: Surety Bonds
Yes
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$50,000 bond is required for all out-of-state institutions.
10: Tuition Refund Policy
Yes, all.
All
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11: Student Tuition Recovery Fund
No
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12: Reporting
Quarterly assessments – currently must submit number of students enrolled every quarter plus a $5.00 fee per student.
Quarterly
No
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13: Enforcement
Possible consequences can be revocation of the certificate of approval, summary suspension, cease and desist, subpoena, notice of noncompliance, notice of nonrenewal. All duties and powers of the board can be found in the Statute.
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14: Application Process
A school must submit a complete and accurate application. The Program Coordinator reviews the application, the Deputy Director reviews the application, then the application is given to the Board for approval. All documents pertaining to obtaining approval can be found here.
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15: Fees Associated with Authorization
Yes
$5,000 for a New In-State School Application
$2,500 for a New Out-of-State Application
$300 per in-state and out-of-state agent permit
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16: Records Retention
The closure and transcript deposit process and requirements can be found here.
- Agency Name: Division of Private Occupational Schools (if a third party such as Parchment.com is not the official custodian of records)
- Contact Person: Bernadette Esquibel
- Contact Phone: 303-862-3001
- Contact Address: 1600 Broadway, Suite 2200 Denver, CO 80202
- Contact Email: bernadette.esquibel@dhe.state.co.us
- Contact web site: https://highered.colorado.gov/DPOS/Payments/Transcript_Request.aspx
No response provided
17: Additional Information
No response provided