(1) There is established in the department the hospitality career secondary education grant program. The purpose of the grant program is to accelerate growth and improve and expand the development of hospitality programs. The department shall administer the grant program through the acceptance and review of applications submitted pursuant to this section and the awarding of grants. The department shall develop application guidelines and establish deadlines for the grant program.

(2) The department shall award the first grants of the grant program for the 2015-16 academic year, so long as moneys are appropriated to the cash fund created for implementation of the grant program. Grants must be awarded annually thereafter, based on available appropriations.

(3) A hospitality program may apply for a grant from the grant program based on the guidelines and deadlines established by the department in subsection (1) of this section. To be eligible for a grant, a hospitality program shall include, at a minimum, the following information in its application:

(a) A description of how the grant will be used;

(b) A description of the hospitality program, including the number of years it has been in operation and the high schools in which it has been implemented;

(c) A nonduplicative, clearly articulated course progression from one level of instruction to the next;

(d) A description of the available opportunities for students to earn postsecondary credit;

(e) Verification of industry-validated credentials;

(f) Demonstration of partnerships with hospitality industry members where students have the opportunity to earn income; and

(g) Verification that the hospitality program aligns with established Colorado academic standards.

(4) The department shall disperse all of the moneys appropriated in a given year to the fund to applicants that are approved for a hospitality secondary education grant.