Colorado students will be able to graduate with a high school diploma and an associate’s degree at the same time — and be prepared to work in a technical field — under a bipartisan bill that Gov. John Hickenlooper signed into law on Monday.

That measure, along with a separate bill the governor signed at a Capitol ceremony, is among a package of bills aimed at boosting workforce development in the state.

“Ultimately, getting career pathways more clearly defined, making sure we have the resources so our kids can get a head start while they’re still in high school, these are all helping Colorado move in the right direction,” Hickenlooper said.

House Bill 1270 creates Pathways in Technology Early College High Schools. These will be public schools for students in grades 9 through the first two years of college. Students can earn traditional high school diplomas, followed by an associate’s degree through programs focused on technology, engineering, science and math.

Like traditional public schools, students can attend P-Tech schools for free, and the schools will be funded on a per-pupil basis through the annual School Finance Act.

The cost to the state will depend on how many students reach their fifth and sixth year in the program each year. The Colorado Legislative Council estimates the program will cost $4.1 million annually, beginning in the 2021 fiscal year.

Rep. Mike Foote, D-Lafayette, a bill sponsor, said the P-Tech schools will allow students to “have some real technical skills that they can take out to the workplace and get good, high-paying, middle-class jobs.”

“There’s a lot of good jobs available that pay well, but there’s not as many people that have the skills that are needed to fill those jobs,” Foote said.

Foote said the program will encourage students who may not be inclined to attend traditional colleges or universities to pursue valuable, post-high school education.

“Not everybody wants to go to a four-year college and, lets face it, even those that go to a four-year college may not have the skills that are necessary to fill those positions,” he said. “There’s a lot of kids that will benefit greatly by going through this program.”

The governor also signed House Bill 1274, which adds more opportunities for students through an existing career pathways program.Last year, the Legislature created a talent pipeline system that helps students obtain industry-relevant skills to obtain employment. Those pathways can lead to jobs in construction, health care and information technology fields.

The program connects state education and labor agencies to the Colorado Workforce Development Council, the agency that heads the creation of the pipeline.

Under HB 1274, the CWDC will create more pathways and apprenticeship opportunities in growing industry fields.

Although no Republicans were present for the bill signing, the bills received GOP sponsorship.

“It’s really been a highlight of bipartisan success,” said House Majority Leader Crisanta Duran, D-Denver. “We’re so thankful that jobs has not been a partisan issue. The Republicans and Democrats were able to come together to make sure that populations across the state of Colorado have the tools to be able to succeed and have tools to get into good paying jobs.”

— Twitter @VicVela1