CO Code § 23-5-138 (2021)
2021 Colorado Code|Title 23 - Postsecondary Education|Article 5 - General Provisions|§ 23-5-138. Textbooks - Academic Freedom - Definitions

  As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:   “Adopting entity” means the person or persons responsible for selecting and ordering a textbook or supplemental learning material for use in a college course at a state institution of higher education.    “Bundle” means one or more college textbooks or other supplemental learning materials offered in combination with one or more additional educational products to be sold as course materials for a single price.    “College textbook” means a textbook or set of textbooks developed for use in a course in postsecondary education at a state institution of higher education. The term “college textbook” includes but need not be limited to custom textbooks and integrated textbooks.    “Course material” means any textbook or other instructional tool that is published with the intent that it be used for or in conjunction with classroom instruction and that is adopted for academic use by faculty members, instructors, or the person or entity in charge of selecting learning material at the state institution of higher education.    “Custom textbook” means a college textbook that is compiled at the direction of a faculty member, instructor, or other person or adopting entity in charge of selecting course materials at a state institution of higher education. A custom textbook may include but need not be limited to selections from original instructor materials, previously copyrighted publisher materials, copyrighted third-party works, or elements unique to a specific institution such as commemorative editions.    “Integrated textbook” means a college textbook that is combined with materials and is designed solely for use as a combined unit, or that is developed by a third party and that, according to third-party contractual agreements, a publisher may not offer separately from the textbook with which the materials are combined.    “Publisher” means a publisher of college textbooks or supplemental learning materials.    “State institution of higher education” shall have the same meaning as provided in section 23-18-102 (10).    “Substantial content” means a part of a college textbook, such as a new chapter, coverage of an additional historical era, a new theme, or new subject matter.    “Supplemental learning material” means educational material developed to accompany a college textbook. Supplemental learning material is not a component of an integrated textbook. Supplemental learning material may include but need not be limited to printed materials, computer disks, website access, and electronically distributed materials.       Beginning on or before July 1, 2009:   When a publisher provides a faculty member, instructor, or other person or adopting entity in charge of selecting course materials at a state institution of higher education with information regarding a college textbook or supplemental learning material, the publisher shall provide, in writing or electronically, the following information, at a minimum:   The price at which the publisher would make the textbook or supplemental learning material available;    The substantial content revisions made, if any, between the current edition of the college textbook or supplemental learning material and a previous edition;    Whether the college textbook or supplemental learning material is available in another format, including but not limited to paperback or unbound copies, and the price at which the publisher would make the college textbook or supplemental learning material in the other format available.       A publisher that sells a college textbook and any supplemental learning material accompanying that college textbook as a single bundle to a state institution of higher education shall also make available the college textbook and any of the supplemental learning materials as separate and unbundled items at separate prices.    To the maximum extent practicable, a publisher shall provide the information required in this subsection (2) for the development and provision of custom textbooks.       Nothing in this section shall be construed as superseding the institutional autonomy or academic freedom of a state institution of higher education or its faculty members or instructors in the selection of college textbooks and supplemental learning materials.     History. Source: L. 2008: Entire section added, p. 335, § 2, effective August 5.    Cross references:   For the legislative declaration contained in the 2008 act enacting this section, see section 1 of chapter 108, Session Laws of Colorado 2008.