Republicans on a GOP-controlled committee expressed concern that the students would have a hard time finding jobs because of their illegal status even if they got a college degree. The measure failed on a party-line vote Wednesday.

The bill would let students who graduate from a Colorado high school could qualify for a tuition rate lower than the out-of-state price, but slightly higher than the resident rate. Students would need to have graduated from a state high school after three years of attendance.

Democrats said the students deserve a chance to continue their education at an affordable rate because the state has spent money educating them in the K-12 system.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)