SB 17-076

Senate Bill 17-076, which has been signed into law, allows the Colorado Department of Education to use gifts, grants, and donations directly to reward high-performing public schools with monetary awards or tangible items like plaques. This means that the department doesn’t need additional approval from the state legislature each time it wants to spend these funds on recognizing top-performing schools. The bill impacts both the schools receiving recognition and the donors who wish to support educational excellence in Colorado. Since it has been signed, the law is now active and being implemented.

Official Summary

Under existing law, the department of education may accept gifts, grants, and donations to use in making monetary awards to certain high-performing public schools and in purchasing tangible items of recognition for the schools. The bill specifies that the department may expend any amount received as a gift, grant, or donation for this purpose without further appropriation. (Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)

Votes