C.R.S. § 23-3.9-101

As used in this part 1, unless the context otherwise requires: (1) “Approved program of preparation” means a program of study for preparation that is approved by the department of education pursuant to section 22-60.5-121 and that upon completion leads to a recommendation for licensure. (2) “Commission” means the Colorado commission on higher education. (2.5) “Educator” means a teacher, principal, or special services provider, as those terms are defined in section 22-60.5-102 ; except that a special services provider need not be employed by a school district. (3) “Facility school” means an approved facility school as defined in section 22-2-402 (1), C.R.S. (3.5) Repealed. (3.7) “Qualified loan” means an educational loan incurred while completing a program of preparation, including an alternative preparation program approved pursuant to article 60.5 of title 22 , that leads to educator licensure pursuant to article 60.5 of title 22 , or a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the area in which the educator is employed in a qualified position. The commission shall determine if a loan is a qualified loan for purposes of the educator loan forgiveness program created in section 23-3.9-102 . (4) “Qualified position” means: (a) A hard-to-staff educator position in a rural school or rural school district or in a facility school that is in a rural school district identified by the department of education pursuant to section 23-3.9-102 (6); or (b) A hard-to-staff educator position in a Colorado public school, a school operated by a board of cooperative services created pursuant to article 5 of title 22 , or a facility school in a content shortage area identified pursuant to section 23-3.9-102 (6). (5) “Rural school” or “rural school district” means a public school or school district identified by the department of education pursuant to section 23-3.9-102 (6). (6) “School” or “public school” means a public school as provided in section 22-1-101 , including a charter school authorized by a school district pursuant to part 1 of article 30.5 of title 22 , an institute charter school authorized by the state charter school institute pursuant to part 5 of article 30.5 of title 22 , or a school operated by a board of cooperative services created and operating pursuant to article 5 of title 22 .