[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 5 (Thursday, January 8, 2026)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E18]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               RECOGNIZING DR. ANGELA ``ANGIE'' PACCIONE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BRITTANY PETTERSEN

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 8, 2026

  Ms. PETTERSEN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Angela 
``Angie'' Paccione for her service to constituents in Colorado as 
Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education 
(CDHE).
  Dr. Paccione has been a lifelong public servant, working in education 
for over 27 years before joining CDHE. Since her appointment to this 
role in 2019, Dr. Paccione has worked to expand access to higher 
education for students of all backgrounds. Dr. Paccione has helped 
implement a variety of programs to increase access and affordability 
for low-income students, including the FosterED and EmpowerED 
scholarship programs for students who grew up in foster care and who 
are experiencing homelessness. Furthermore, Dr. Paccione helped 
implement the Colorado ReEngaged Initiative to allow thousands of 
Coloradans who did not finish a four-year degree the opportunity to 
earn an associate's degree. And under her leadership, Colorado was 
ranked first in the Nation for educational attainment in 2022.
  Throughout her tenure, Dr. Paccione has been a dedicated advocate, 
working to expand opportunities and improve educational outcomes for 
thousands of Colorado students. She has conducted robust outreach to 
prospective students about educational opportunities and resources 
offered by the state, including speaking with high school students and 
families at a FAFSA resource fair held by my office at Bear Creek High 
School in April of 2025.
  On behalf of the people of Colorado's 7th Congressional District, it 
is my honor to thank Dr. Paccione for her years of service and to wish 
her all the best in her future endeavors.