Mike Johnston, Democratic candidate for Colorado governor, Tuesday unveiled the details of his Colorado Promise plan to provide all Coloradans with debt-free tuition for community college or job training in exchange for meaningful service to the state.

“With the Colorado Promise, our state will become a national leader both in preparing our citizens for the 21st century economy while also engaging our citizens in public service,” Johnston said in a press release. “And, it is a promise that can be repeated over time to make sure all Coloradans spend their working lives engaged in productive careers they love.”

The Colorado Promise differs from other “free college” programs nationally in that it can be used for either job training or community college and can be repeated as many times as a recipient wants as they choose to pursue new careers, he said.

Johnston says no other program in the nation contains a service model as robust as that contained in the Colorado Promise.

Retired U.S. Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal is among those backing the idea.

“America is at a crossroads. Too many people are being left behind by a changing economy and too many are disengaged from each other, from the work of our communities, and from the future of our nation,” McChrystal said. “The Colorado Promise is a bold idea that brings together these challenges to create a powerful solution. Citizen service, when tied to a common endeavor, instills pride in a community, state, and nation. It empowers those who serve with the skills, adaptability, and leadership to get ahead. I applaud this proposal and hope that Colorado can become a leading example of the power of service to propel lives in the 21st century.”

“In order to remain competitive nationally, we must invest in our citizens, and The Colorado Promise is a lifelong pledge to partner with our residents in ways that benefit us all,” Johnston said. “I look forward to discussing this with Coloradans across the state as the campaign continues.”