Today more than ever, our Colorado economy demands an educated workforce. Estimates suggest that nearly three in four jobs in Colorado and as many as 97 percent of top jobs--in-demand jobs that pay a living wage--require a postsecondary credential, whether a certificate, two-year, or four-year degree. Yet 43 percent of Colorado's adult population currently lacks education beyond high school. The costs of college also continue to rise: Over the last ten years tuition at public colleges and universities in Colorado has increased more than 65 percent. As the need for postsecondary credentials increases, the growing costs of higher education hinder access for too many Coloradans and threaten the state's economic vitality.
