A bill that would allow illegal immigrants to attend college at in-state tuition rates passed the Colorado Senate with a historic vote Monday, the first time any Republicans had ever voted for the bill.
Senate Bill 33 passed the Democratic-led Senate on a 23-12 vote, with three Republicans voting in favor. The bill now can go to the Democratic-controlled House, where it is expected to pass and possibly pick up a few GOP votes there as well.
“We are now going to be able to reward young people who have played by the rules,” said state Sen. Angela Giron, D-Pueblo, a co-sponsor of the bill. “They are now going to be able to give back.”
The bill allows students who have attended a Colorado high school for at least three years, and who have graduated, to attend public colleges and universities at the in-state tuition rate regardless of their immigration statuses.
, when even some Democrats opposed the idea and no Republicans supported it.
Still, historic opponents like Sen. Kevin Lundberg, R-Berthoud, called the bill “false hope” for students who still wouldn’t be able to legally work in the country.
Tim Hoover: 303-954-1626, thoover@denverpost.com or twitter.com/timhoover
