Colorado § 23-2-103 - Awarding degrees.
Full text of Colorado Colorado Revised Statutes § 23-2-103 — Awarding degrees., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 23-2-103. Awarding degrees.
Notwithstanding the provisions of section 7-50-105 or any other law to the contrary, a person, partnership, corporation, company, society, or association doing business in the state of Colorado shall not award, bestow, confer, give, grant, convey, or sell to any other person a degree or honorary degree upon which is inscribed, in any language, the word "associate", "bachelor", "baccalaureate", "master", or "doctor", or any abbreviation thereof, or offer courses of instruction or credits purporting to lead to any such degree, unless the person, partnership, corporation, company, society, or association is a state college or university; a private college or university that is authorized pursuant to this article 2; a private occupational school; a seminary or religious training institution that is authorized pursuant to this article 2; or a school, college, or university that offers courses of instruction or study in compliance with standards prescribed by part 1 of article 255 of title 12 and articles 100, 120, 215, 220, 240, 245, 275, 280, 285, 290, and 315 of title 12.
Source: L. 65: p. 1043, § 3. C.R.S. 1963: § 124-21-3. L. 76: Entire section amended, p. 414, § 10, effective July 1; entire section amended, p. 424, § 6, effective July 1. L. 78: Entire section amended, p. 314, § 2, effective July 1. L. 81: Entire section amended, p. 1085, § 3, effective May 27. L. 83: Entire section amended, p. 575, § 9, effective April 22. L. 88: Entire section amended, p. 568, § 7, effective July 1. L. 91: Entire section amended, p. 1912, § 23, effective June 1. L. 2012: Entire section amended, (HB 12-1155), ch. 255, p. 1284, § 11, effective August 8. L. 2019: Entire section amended, (HB 19-1172), ch. 136, p. 1683, § 118, effective October 1. L. 2020: Entire section amended, (HB 20-1183), ch. 157, p. 701, § 53, effective July 1.
Cross references: For authority of corporations existing for educational purposes to award degrees, see § 7-50-105.
ANNOTATION
This section prohibits any person, partnership, corporation, company, society, or association from awarding the types of degrees awarded by plaintiff, but, it excepts a "state college or university" and a "private college or university", and also certain other designated educational institutions. Colo. Polytechnic Coll. v. State Bd. for Cmty. Colls., 173 Colo. 39 476 P.2d 38 (1970).
Frequently Asked Questions About Colorado § 23-2-103
What does Colorado Revised Statutes § 23-2-103 cover?
Section 23-2-103 ("Awarding degrees.") is part of the Colorado Revised Statutes, the codified statutory law of Colorado. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Colorado § 23-2-103?
A common citation format is "Colorado Revised Statutes § 23-2-103" (Colorado). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Colorado law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Colorado official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Colorado attorney.
How does Colorado § 23-2-103 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Colorado can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Colorado.