In support of a legislative evaluation of the degree to which Colorado's institutions of higher education should be accessible to the state's citizens, this paper reviews the barriers to student access and outlines the position of the Colorado State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education regarding the role of the community colleges in overcoming access barriers. It is noted that the development of the comprehensive community college in Colorado occurred as a direct response to the barriers associated with student access; unrestricted access and provision of occupational, community service, and adult education programs in the community colleges were roles legislatively mandated by the Community College and Occupational Education Act of 1967. While the community colleges have been effective in reducing many financial and geographical barriers, in the opinion of the Board much remains to be done; past approaches have generally addressed only one barrier, and the interfaces between the various barriers and between the issue of student access and the process of lifelong learning remain unresolved. The Board affirms its belief that Colorado's two-year colleges corporately represent the vehicle through which access barriers can be overcome, providing the foundation for the progressive development of a total postsecondary system designed to meet needs for a wide range of educational opportunity. (MB)