For too long, we’ve treated “going to college” as if it were the same thing as “getting an education.” But that’s like saying “putting food in your mouth” is the same as “good nutrition.” It all depends on what you choose and how it prepares you for the future.
The truth is, many Coloradans build great lives without a four-year degree. They become welders, linemen, nurses, mechanics, farmers and small-business owners. But the system has too often pushed every student toward the same expensive path, leaving families buried in debt and communities short of the skills they actually need.
That’s why the One Big Beautiful Bill signed into law this summer is such a turning point. It brings long-overdue reforms that will give students more options, make borrowing more responsible and hold colleges accountable for delivering results.
First, Pell Grants can now be used for high-quality career and technical programs. That means a young person in rural Colorado can learn the skills to go straight into energy, health care or the trades without being forced into a four-year program that doesn’t fit their goals. It’s good for students, good for employers looking for talent close to home and good for communities that want to keep the next generation rooted here.
Second, the Student Loan Program has been reined in to protect both families and taxpayers. For too long, graduate students and parents were allowed to borrow virtually unlimited amounts, leading to skyrocketing tuition and crushing debt. Now there are common-sense caps that make sure loans remain reasonable. Undergraduate students will still have access to traditional loans, but parents will no longer be pushed into predatory debt, and graduate borrowing will be kept within sensible limits.
Third, repayment is now simpler and more predictable. Borrowers can choose either a standard fixed plan or a new income-based plan where balances only go down, never up. No more stories of graduates making payments for years only to see their balances rise. A typical student with $30,000 in loans can now expect to pay them off in about a decade.
Finally, colleges will be held accountable for the value they deliver. Programs where graduates consistently struggle to earn enough to repay their loans will lose access to federal funding. That means families won’t be saddled with debt for degrees that don’t lead to real opportunity.
These reforms will save taxpayers billions of dollars. But the bigger impact will be felt in Colorado families who can now borrow responsibly, pursue training that fits their goals and graduate into careers without a lifetime of debt.
At the end of the day, education should open doors, not chain people to loans. And just as good nutrition depends on what you eat, good education depends on what path you choose. The One Big Beautiful Bill ensures that more paths are open, more choices make sense, and more futures are within reach for Colorado’s students and families.
Rep. Jeff Hurd represents the 3rd District of Colorado in the U.S. House of Representatives. Reach him or a staff member at hurd.house.gov/contact.
