DENVER — A historic milestone in public education was achieved this week as Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed House Bill 25-1221, officially authorizing Emily Griffith Technical College—part of Denver Public Schools (DPS)—to offer an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree.

This groundbreaking legislation makes DPS the first pK–12 public education system in Colorado—and one if not the very first in the entire United States—to be granted authority to issue a higher education degree.

 “This is a transformative moment not just for DPS, but for public education across the country,” said DPS Superintendent Dr. Alex Marrero. “By removing barriers between high school, college, and career, we’re reimagining what it means to truly prepare students for the future.”

With the passage of HB25-1221, Emily Griffith will launch degree pathways designed to meet the needs of Colorado’s fast-growing industries. Students will now be able to earn Associate degrees in high-demand fields—opening doors to well-paying jobs, continued higher education, and economic mobility—all within the walls of a public school system.

“We’re no longer asking if public education can rise to the challenge—we’re showing the world that it can,” said DPS Board of Education President Dr. Carrie A. Olson. “This is how we build equity, open doors of opportunity, and lead with bold vision and unwavering purpose to serve our students.”

This move cements DPS as a national leader in Career and Technical Education and a champion of bold, student-centered innovation.

DPS is not just educating students. We are empowering futures.

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