Section 22-11-603.5 - Centers of excellence awards(1)(a) The state board shall annually present financial awards to public schools in the state that enroll a student population of which at least seventy-five percent are at-risk pupils, as defined in section 22-54-103 (1.5), and that demonstrate the highest rates of student longitudinal growth, as measured by the Colorado growth model. The technical advisory panel convened pursuant to section 22-11-202 shall recommend to the state board, and the state board shall establish by rule, the method by which to identify schools that qualify for an award pursuant to this section.(b) Awards issued pursuant to this section shall be known as "Centers of Excellence Awards".(2) A school that receives an award pursuant to this section shall not qualify for an award pursuant to section 22-11-603.(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 22-11-602(2) and 22-11-603(2), of the moneys available for awards pursuant to this part 3, in the 2009-10 budget year and budget years thereafter, two hundred fifty thousand dollars shall be awarded to schools annually pursuant to this section. The department shall apportion the remainder between the "John Irwin schools of excellence awards" and the "Governor's Distinguished Improvement Awards" as provided in sections 22-11-602(2) and 22-11-603(2), respectively.L. 2009: Entire section added, (SB 09-256), ch. 294, p. 1567, §31, effective May 21.