DENVER - A bill to give illegal immigrants a chance at in-state tuition has made it to its farthest point in the Legislature, with help from Republicans.

The tuition proposal is nearing its final lap as the House planned to debate the measure Tuesday. Similar bills have cleared the Senate in recent years, but stalled in the House.

This year the House is under Democratic control, and Republicans support is not needed to get the measure to the governor's desk. But this year's version has attracted unprecedented Republican support.

The measure gives Colorado residents in-state tuition regardless of immigration status. Students who aren't here legally would have to pursue citizenship to receive the tuition.