Mike Merrifield Receives Honor from Colorado Community College System

Today, Dr. Nancy McCallin, president of the Colorado Community College System (CCCS) announced the selection of Representative Mike Merrifield (D-Colorado Springs) as one of four Legislators of the Year for 2008.

Each year, CCCS selects several legislators that have demonstrated a strong advocacy for the issues that affect community colleges from a policy standpoint and funding needs. To recognize those efforts, the legislators are invited to the presentation of the awards at the September meeting of the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education, the CCCS governing board.

“Representative Merrifield’s willingness to help community colleges to secure additional funds in his role as House sponsor of Senate Bill 08-85 shows that he is supportive and understanding of the vial role the colleges play in economic development and in improving peoples’ lives,” said McCallin. “This show of support merited our recognition of his efforts. Also, he has recently endorsed the Coloradans for Community Colleges ballot initiative, Amendment 50, showing his further support for the community colleges.” Senate Bill 08-85 was legislation that would have provided $16.3 million in additional funding for community colleges.

As chair of the House Education Committee, Rep. Merrifield also assisted in the passage of the Colorado Vocational Act legislation which was important to community colleges in aligning state law with federal changes and streamlining financial processes.

Other recipients for the 2008 award are Representative Cory Gardner (R-Yuma), Representative Buffie McFadyen (D-Pueblo), Senator Josh Penry (R-Grand Junction), and there is a special recognition for Senator Abel Tapia (D-Pueblo).

The Colorado Community College System comprises the state's largest system of higher education serving more than 107,000 students annually. CCCS oversees career and academic programs in the 13 state community colleges and career and technical programs in more than 160 school districts and seven other post-secondary institutions.