HomeMy WebLinkAbout20180091.tiffCOLORADO
Colorado Opportunity
Scholarship Initiative
3 January 2018
Mr. Mike Freeman
Commissioner, Weld County
PO Box 758
Greeley, CO, 80632
Dear Commissioner Freeman:
RECE
E D
WELD COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS
As you may already know, the Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative (COSI) was established by
legislation in 2014 at Governor Hickenlooper's request. COSI's goal is to increase the number of
Coloradans able to pursue and attain a certificate or degree from one of our state's 31 public post-
secondary institutions. With initial state funding supplied through the Governor's Office and the
Legislature, COSI is able to match scholarship funds raised locally by corporate and individual donors,
institutions of higher education, and other non -profits.
In the current year alone, these scholarships have benefitted over 4,000 Colorado students, including
200 residents of Weld County, funded in cooperation with the Weld County Bright Futures. Your
support has helped make that possible, and the COSI Board and staff wish to thank you.
While COSI provides over $7.5 million annually in matching support statewide, it is still not a well-known
or largely recognized enterprise; we believe that the more people know about the program, the more
they will encourage others to participate and students to apply for scholarships. COSI is seeking an
additional $4 million in state funding this legislative session so that we can increase the number of
program and scholarship grants and serve even more students, and we would very much appreciate
your indicating support f<.- this request to your legislators.
We hope that you will also find the occasion to tell your friends and neighbors, even your local and state
officials, about your involvement in helping the Weld County Bright Futures provide scholarships for
students from Weld County and encourage them to participate as well.
Sincerely,
Kyle Sickman
Chair
Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative
Advisory Board
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