Senate education panel forwards CollegeInvest nominee Brett Hirsch to full Senate

The Colorado Senate Education Committee on a meeting recorded in the transcript (date not specified) voted unanimously to send Brett Hirsch’s nomination for the CollegeInvest board to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation.

Miss Beyer, speaking for CollegeInvest, told the panel that the agency promotes “lifelong learning” and supports 529 accounts for a wide range of uses. She said CollegeInvest “represent[s] over 475,000 families and are a fiscal steward of 14,200,000,000 of private dollars,” and asked the committee to confirm Hirsch to help oversee those funds. Hirsch described roughly 20 years in financial services and said he wants to increase public awareness and use of 529 plans.

Senator Kipp asked the panel to discuss Colorado ABLE accounts (a 529A program). Miss Beyer explained that Colorado ABLE helps people living with disabilities save beyond federal asset limits and noted that, as described during the hearing, federal rules now allow higher savings thresholds and expanded eligibility; she framed ABLE as part of CollegeInvest’s workforce-readiness work for adults who need to save for recredentialing, certifications or career changes.

After brief remarks and limited questioning, Senator Marchman moved to forward the nomination to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation. The committee polled members present and the motion passed unanimously; one member was recorded as excused. The nomination is expected to appear on the Senate consent calendar.

The committee’s recorded comments also mentioned CollegeInvest’s partnership work with Colorado employers and use of 529 accounts beyond traditional college expenses (apprenticeships, trade schools, professional credentials). The committee did not take additional action beyond the favorable recommendation.