Senate committee forwards reappointments of Jim Wilson and Erin Harbour to full Senate

The Colorado Senate Education Committee unanimously recommended the reappointments of Jim Wilson and Erin Harbour to the Colorado Commission on Higher Education and forwarded both names to the full Senate on the committee’s consent calendar.

A department representative introduced the pair and praised their contributions since 2021. Commissioner Harbour outlined a vision for expanded use of artificial intelligence in education, urging state-level coordination and proposing an ‘‘AI tutor for each student’’ monitored by teachers and faculty. Harbour said AI could personalize instruction and reduce costs if implemented carefully.

Wilson emphasized early reading and implementation follow-through. He said that a large share of third-graders are not reading at grade level and warned that ‘‘if they can't read what's on that screen, it's not going to help them any at all.’’ He urged the committee to track how the Legislature’s bills are interpreted and implemented after passage and described his focus on transfer-credit transparency and student success.

Senators praised both nominees and discussed dyslexia screening and classroom interventions. After question-and-answer, Senator Marchman moved to forward the reappointments with a favorable recommendation; the committee polled and the motion passed unanimously among members present. The nominations will proceed to the full Senate on the consent calendar.