Colorado 2025 Bills

Administration of Publicly Funded Education Programs

HB 26-1428, a Colorado bill focused on education programs, requires the Department of Education to report on part-time enrichment and online learning programs. It also gives the department more flexibility in extending the administration period for certain online learning programs beyond the usual five-year limit by up to two additional years. This affects public schools offering these types of educational options. Since the bill has been signed into law, it means that these changes are now official policy and will be implemented as described.

Last action: 2026-04-30 · House

Task Force to Expand Effective Public Schools

Senate Bill 26-170, which has been signed into law, establishes a task force aimed at studying ways to expand access to effective public schools in Colorado. This task force will look into how to reduce opportunity gaps and must submit its findings and recommendations by January 1, 2027, or adjust the deadline if their first meeting is after July 31, 2026. The work of the task force will only proceed if the Department of Education receives enough funding from gifts, grants, and donations. This initiative affects public school students and families across Colorado by potentially improving educational opportunities.

Last action: 2026-04-17 · Senate

School Board Member Disqualifying Convictions

Senate Bill 26-166, which has been signed into law, updates Colorado's rules for who can serve on a school board. It adds new requirements that people convicted of violent crimes or felony drug offenses involving distribution cannot become school board members unless at least 10 years have passed since they completed all parts of their sentence, including jail time and parole. This means that anyone with recent convictions related to violence or serious drug crimes will be disqualified from serving on a school board in Colorado.

Last action: 2026-04-16 · Senate

Person's Rights Related to Their Children

House Concurrent Resolution 26-1004 proposes a constitutional amendment for Colorado voters to consider in the 2026 election. If approved, it would add a new right to the state constitution: parents' authority to guide their children's upbringing, education, and care. This affects all parents in Colorado by potentially reinforcing their role in making decisions about their children’s lives. The bill has been signed but is still in the early stages of the legislative process, meaning that it needs further approval before voters can decide on it in 2026.

Last action: 2026-04-13 · House

Full and Fair Funding of Public Schools

House Joint Resolution 26-1028, also known as the "Full and Fair Funding of Public Schools," aims to ensure that Colorado's public schools receive adequate funding. This resolution would affect all public school students, teachers, and staff across the state by advocating for a more equitable distribution of educational resources. Since the bill has been signed into law, it means that the state is committed to implementing measures to provide full and fair funding for public education, which could lead to improvements in classroom resources and support services.

Last action: 2026-04-13 · House

Phase-Out of Teacher Recruitment Education and Preparation Program

House Bill 26-1357, which has been signed into law, ends a program called TREP that helps recruit and prepare teachers. Starting in the 2026-27 school year, no new students will be allowed to join this two-year program, and schools won’t receive extra funding for current participants beyond that year either. This change affects future teacher candidates who were hoping to benefit from TREP’s support and funding. In practice, it means that the program will gradually end over the next few years as its current participants complete their programs.

Last action: 2026-04-02 · House

Student State Assessment in Social Studies

HB 26-1353, a Colorado bill that has been signed into law, changes how social studies are tested in schools. It stops requiring elementary school students from taking state social studies tests and only mandates seventh graders to take them instead. The bill also removes the need for random sample testing of public schools each year. This means less money will be spent on these assessments starting in 2026-27, which affects how education funds are used by the Department of Education.

Last action: 2026-04-02 · House

Reducing Frequency of Colorado Reading to Ensure Academic Development Act Independent Evaluations

HB 26-1352, also known as the Reducing Frequency of Colorado Reading to Ensure Academic Development Act Independent Evaluations, changes how often independent evaluations are required for the READ Act funding from annually to every two years. Schools will still need to report student data related to the READ Act yearly to the Colorado Department of Education (CDE), but now CDE must also produce an annual summary report with its insights on program improvements. The bill reduces state funding for external evaluation in the 2026-27 fiscal year. Since it has been signed, this bill is now law and will affect how schools and the state handle literacy programs and evaluations moving forward.

Last action: 2026-04-02 · House

Repeal Local Accountability System

HB 26-1356, which has been signed into law, removes a local accountability system that was used alongside the state’s education accountability measures. This system included a grant program aimed at supporting schools. The bill affects school districts and educational funding across Colorado. Since it is now signed, the local accountability system and its associated grants are no longer in effect.

Last action: 2026-04-02 · House

Repeal Science Teacher Professional Development Program

House Bill 26-1354 reduces funding for a professional development program that helps science teachers improve their skills from $3 million to $1.5 million and plans to end the program entirely by July 1, 2027. This affects science teachers across Colorado who rely on this program for training and resources. Since the bill has been signed into law, the funding reduction and eventual elimination of the program will proceed as planned, impacting future professional development opportunities for these educators.

Last action: 2026-04-02 · House

Reduce Academic Accelerator Grant Program Appropriation

HB 26-1358 reduces funding for a Colorado program that provides grants to help students advance more quickly through school. This bill affects students who might benefit from academic acceleration and the schools or programs supporting them. Since it has been signed, the reduction in funding is now official, meaning there will be less money available for these accelerated learning opportunities.

Last action: 2026-04-02 · House

Reduce Appropriation Out-of-School Time Grant Program

HB 26-1355, which has been signed into law, changes how Colorado funds its out-of-school time program grant. Instead of being required by law to provide money for this program in the 2026-27 fiscal year, the state legislature now has the choice whether or not to fund it. This affects programs that support activities like after-school clubs and tutoring for kids when they're not in school. Since the bill is signed, it means these programs won't automatically get funding next year but will depend on decisions made by lawmakers.

Last action: 2026-04-02 · House

Transfer Tobacco Education Fund to Preschool Program Fund

House Bill 26-1404 transfers $10 million from a fund that supports tobacco education programs to a preschool program fund in Colorado. This change will happen on June 30, 2027, and it means that the money originally set aside for tobacco education will instead be used to support early childhood education initiatives. The bill has been signed into law, so this transfer is scheduled to occur as planned.

Last action: 2026-04-02 · House

Appropriations to Legacy School Food Programs

HB 26-1350, a Colorado bill that has been signed into law, changes how the state handles funding for various school food programs. It makes it optional for the government to provide specific amounts of money for programs like the summer EBT program and the start smart nutrition program, instead allowing these funds to come from a different source called the healthy school meals for all program cash fund if needed. This bill also deals with how leftover funds are managed and transferred between accounts. Overall, it gives more flexibility in funding decisions while ensuring that essential programs like local school food purchasing can still be supported.

Last action: 2026-04-02 · House

Healthy School Meals for All State Education Fund

HB 26-1351, also known as the Healthy School Meals for All State Education Fund bill, delays a planned transfer of money from the state education fund to support free and healthy school meals. Instead of transferring funds starting in July 2026, it pushes this requirement back to July 2028. The bill also removes certain reporting requirements related to these transfers. Since the bill has been signed into law, schools will see changes in funding for their meal programs beginning two years later than originally planned.

Last action: 2026-04-02 · House

Credit State Public School Fund from Natural Resources

House Bill 26-1359, which has been signed into law, requires that a portion of money from natural resource royalties on public school lands be directed towards the state’s public school fund. Specifically, $25 million will go to the fund for the fiscal year starting July 1, 2025, and $45 million for the following fiscal year. This bill aims to provide additional funding for Colorado's public schools, benefiting students and educational programs across the state.

Last action: 2026-04-02 · House

Comprehensive Human Sexuality Education Grant Appropriation

HB 26-1389 is a bill that removes the yearly need for Colorado's government to allocate funds specifically for a program that provides comprehensive human sexuality education grants. This change means that the state no longer has to set aside money each year for this particular educational initiative. The bill affects schools and organizations involved in sex education programs funded by these grants. Since the bill has been signed into law, it is now official policy and does not require further action from lawmakers at this time.

Last action: 2026-04-02 · House

Repeal of Contract for Online Platform Use

House Bill 26-1369, which has been signed into law, removes a requirement for Colorado’s Department of Higher Education to contract with an online platform that helps students access public benefits like financial aid or health services. This change affects both public and private higher education institutions in the state. Now that it is signed, the bill no longer requires these institutions to use this specific online platform, giving them more flexibility in how they assist students with accessing important public benefits.

Last action: 2026-04-02 · House

Licensed School Counselor Credit Hour Requirements

Senate Bill 26-153, which has been signed into law in Colorado, requires school counselors to have a master's degree or higher with at least 48 graduate credit hours specifically in school counseling from an accredited institution. This bill affects individuals seeking to become licensed school counselors in Colorado schools. Since the bill is signed, it means that new applicants for school counselor positions must now meet these updated educational requirements starting immediately.

Last action: 2026-03-31 · Senate

Modify Public Employees Retirement Association Allowed Affiliation and Board of Trustees

Senate Bill 26-151 changes how certain Denver charter schools, known as DSST schools, are treated under the Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA). Previously excluded from PERA, these schools will now be included, meaning their employees can participate in PERA benefits. The bill also adds a voting member to PERA’s board of trustees who will represent the Denver public schools division and replace a non-voting member. Since the bill has been signed into law, it is now official policy and affects both DSST school employees and PERA operations.

Last action: 2026-03-31 · Senate

Charter School Involvement in Local Ballot Questions

Senate Bill 26-145, titled "Charter School Involvement in Local Ballot Questions," ensures that charter schools have a say in local ballot questions related to funding for capital construction. The bill requires school districts to ask charter schools about their needs and inform them if those needs will be included in any upcoming ballot measures. It also encourages districts to include proposals from institute charter schools when creating ballot questions. This means that charter schools can now more directly influence how funds are raised for their building projects, impacting both the charter schools themselves and the local voters who decide on these funding issues. Since the bill has been signed into law, it is now enforceable policy in Colorado.

Last action: 2026-03-20 · Senate

Rename Colorado Youth Advisory Council Review Committee

Senate Bill 26-143 changes the name of an existing committee from the "Representative Hugh McKean Colorado Youth Advisory Council Review Committee" to the "Representative Hugh McKean and Senator Faith Winter Colorado Youth Advisory Council Review Committee." This bill affects how the committee is officially referred to but does not change its functions or membership. Since it has been signed into law, this name change is now official and in use.

Last action: 2026-03-19 · Senate

Local Education Provider Workforce Housing

Senate Bill 26-139, known as the "Building Excellent Teacher and Employee Residences Act" or BETER, aims to help school districts in Colorado develop affordable housing for teachers and other staff. The bill establishes a new application process where school districts can apply for financial assistance from a board to build this workforce housing. If approved, the state will provide funding through grants or lease-purchase agreements, but schools must also contribute matching funds. Once signed into law, this initiative will help address teacher housing shortages and improve staff retention by providing affordable homes near their workplaces. The bill has been signed and is now in effect, meaning school districts can start applying for assistance to develop these projects.

Last action: 2026-03-12 · Senate

State Public K-12 Education Funding

Senate Bill 26-135, which has been signed into law, proposes a ballot issue for November 2026 that would allow Colorado to retain and spend extra state revenue on public K-12 education starting in the 2026-27 fiscal year. This bill aims to increase funding by up to 2% annually for ten years, with additional funds going towards teacher pay raises, reducing class sizes, and expanding career and technical courses. The measure will benefit school districts across Colorado but requires voter approval before it can take effect. Once approved, the law would ensure that these funds are specifically used for educational improvements as outlined.

Last action: 2026-03-05 · Senate

Modify School Security Grant Program

House Bill 26-1321 modifies Colorado's school security grant program by changing who can receive grants. Now, only Colorado-based nonprofits that offer free training in school safety, violence prevention, and behavioral health to local schools, law enforcement, and first responders are eligible. The bill also requires the Department of Public Safety to distribute all grant money for the upcoming school year by August 1st each year, giving priority to those who provide their services without charge. Since it has been signed into law, this bill will now affect how grants are awarded and managed in Colorado's school security program.

Last action: 2026-03-04 · House

Licensure for Experienced Out-of-State Teachers

Senate Bill 26-126, which has been signed into law, makes it easier for experienced teachers from other states or countries to get teaching licenses in Colorado. It removes the requirement that these teachers must have had their experience within the last seven years and allows the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) to issue professional teacher licenses based on at least three years of successful teaching elsewhere. The bill also sets up a quicker licensing process for teachers from states that are part of an agreement called the 'Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact,' as long as they pass a background check and have an equivalent license in their home state. This change helps attract more experienced educators to Colorado's schools.

Last action: 2026-02-25 · Senate

Reducing Regulatory Burden on Education Providers

HB 26-1299, a Colorado bill that has been signed into law, aims to reduce regulatory burdens on education providers. It changes how missing children information is shared by requiring the state bureau of investigation to send lists directly to the Department of Education instead of individual schools. The bill also removes requirements for paper and pencil assessments, allows smaller school networks to submit a single plan, exempts some schools from personnel evaluations if they are not required, and prevents the Department of Education from making voluntary data requests mandatory or tying them to unrelated benefits. This law is now in effect and will impact how educational institutions operate in Colorado.

Last action: 2026-02-25 · House

Educator Performance Evaluations

House Bill 26-1291, also known as Educator Performance Evaluations, changes how Colorado schools assess their teachers. Currently, nonprobationary teachers are evaluated every year and receive a written report. The bill proposes reducing these evaluations to once every three years unless a teacher receives a poor rating, in which case they would be evaluated annually until performance improves. This change affects all nonprobationary teachers in Colorado's public schools. Since the bill has been signed into law, it is now official policy and school districts must start implementing these new evaluation requirements.

Last action: 2026-02-23 · House

Scholarship Granting Organizations

House Bill 26-1292, now signed into law, deals with scholarship granting organizations in Colorado. It allows the state to participate in a federal program that offers tax credits for contributions to these organizations, which provide scholarships to students. The bill also requires schools receiving funds from such organizations to follow nondiscrimination policies and laws related to students with disabilities. If a school fails to comply, it could face legal action and lose eligibility for funding from scholarship granting organizations. This law affects both the scholarship organizations and schools that accept their financial support.

Last action: 2026-02-23 · House

Eliminate Duplicative Regulation of School Child Care Centers

HB 26-1282, which has been signed into law, aims to reduce redundant regulations for school child care centers in Colorado. Currently, these centers are regulated by both the Colorado Department of Education and the Colorado Department of Early Childhood, leading to overlapping requirements. The bill allows school districts to meet certain regulatory standards by complying with similar rules set by other state agencies or federal guidelines, rather than adhering strictly to duplicative early childhood department regulations. It also includes provisions for playground certifications from public health agencies and annual reviews of waiver processes. This change primarily affects child care centers on school district properties and simplifies their compliance requirements.

Last action: 2026-02-20 · House

Department of Early Childhood Clean-Up

HB 26-1259, known as the Department of Early Childhood Clean-Up bill, makes several changes and clarifications for early childhood programs in Colorado. It extends licensing exemptions for certain types of home-based childcare, updates reimbursement rules for child care assistance, lowers the age limit for children receiving mental health services from 8 to 6 years old, and ensures that tribal government-approved facilities are exempt from state licensing requirements. The bill also requires the Department of Early Childhood to keep confidential information about children and their families secure. Since it has been signed into law, these changes will now be implemented, affecting childcare providers, young children receiving mental health services, and tribal governments involved in early childhood programs.

Last action: 2026-02-19 · House

Safety Program for Students & Others at Public School

HB 26-1264, also known as the Safety Program for Students and Others at Public Schools, requires Colorado public schools to inform staff, students, and parents about a program called safe2tell, which allows anonymous reporting of safety concerns. The bill also mandates that school districts develop policies on handling safety reports and includes creating guidelines for firearm storage and online safety. Once signed into law, schools must annually distribute information about these safety measures to families. This bill aims to enhance the overall safety environment in Colorado's public schools by providing clear protocols and resources.

Last action: 2026-02-19 · House

Updates to Child Care Assistance Programs

House Bill 26-1260, which has been signed into law, delays until August 1, 2028, the implementation of certain updates to Colorado’s child care assistance programs. These updates include capping family copayments for child care at 7% of their income and paying providers in advance. The bill also limits administrative costs for counties receiving funds for these programs to no more than 5%, and requires reporting on how these funds are spent. This affects families using the program, child care providers, and local governments managing the assistance.

Last action: 2026-02-19 · House

Physical Therapists Perform Sports Physicals

House Bill 26-1231, which has been signed into law, allows physical therapists in Colorado to perform sports physicals for high school students. Previously, these exams could only be conducted by medical doctors or other health-care providers. This change means that more students will have access to the necessary clearances needed to participate in school sports and activities. The bill affects all statewide high schools and their athletic programs, potentially making it easier and quicker for students to get the required physicals from licensed physical therapists.

Last action: 2026-02-18 · House

Require Key Boxes at Schools

Senate Bill 26-104 requires schools in Colorado to install an exterior key box that contains keys and access control devices for law enforcement to use during emergencies. This applies to all school districts, charter schools, and nonpublic schools. Schools can avoid installing these boxes if they already have a secure alternative plan or if they applied but did not receive funding from the state’s security program. The bill is now signed into law, meaning schools will need to comply with its requirements.

Last action: 2026-02-11 · Senate

At-Risk Public School Program & Public School Accountability

Senate Bill 26-103, which has been signed into law, requires Colorado school districts and charter schools to create policies that provide extra help and resources for at-risk students. This can include things like community-based learning programs, after-school activities, tutoring, and other support services. Schools already working on improvement plans focused on helping these students are considered in compliance with the new requirements and must share their plans online. The bill also ensures that county regulations set aside land for public schools. This law aims to improve educational outcomes for vulnerable students by providing them with more resources and support.

Last action: 2026-02-11 · Senate

Vision Tests for Pre-Kindergarten Students

HB 26-1193, also known as Vision Tests for Pre-Kindergarten Students, requires Colorado school districts to include vision tests for pre-kindergarten students in addition to the current requirement of testing kindergarteners and students in grades 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, and 9. The bill updates the language used in existing laws by replacing "sight" with "vision." This means that younger children will now receive vision screenings before starting kindergarten to ensure early detection of any issues. Since the bill has been signed into law, it is now official policy and school districts must implement these changes.

Last action: 2026-02-10 · House

Examination of School District Records

House Bill 26-1191 changes how Colorado's state auditor checks school district records. Instead of being required by law to do an annual review of how money is spent on capital construction projects for charter schools, the bill allows the auditor to decide when and if these reviews should happen. This affects how school districts manage their finances related to building and improving facilities for charter schools. The bill has been signed into law, meaning it will now be implemented as part of Colorado's legal framework.

Last action: 2026-02-10 · House

School Finance Mid-Year Adjustments

House Bill 26-1174 adjusts the funding for Colorado public schools by reducing state contributions due to lower enrollment numbers and higher local funding than expected. The bill affects school districts that rely on both old and new funding formulas, ensuring they receive at least as much funding as they did in the previous year or a specific calculation based on older methods if it results in more money. Signed into law, this means the state will decrease its education budget by $103,472,508 for the 2025-26 school year, impacting how much funding each district receives.

Last action: 2026-02-06 · House

Modify Fourth-Year Innovation Pilot Program

House Bill 26-1176 modifies a Colorado program that helps students who graduate early from high school with funding for college. The bill stops the state from giving money to schools for these students graduating in the 2025-26 academic year and instead requires those students to start their postsecondary education by December 31, 2026. It also removes the requirement for a final evaluation report on how well the program worked. The bill has been signed into law, meaning it is now official state policy and affects eligible high school graduates and their schools.

Last action: 2026-02-06 · House

State Education Fund Reading to Ensure Academic Development Act & Colorado Teacher of the Year Program

HB 26-1175, which has been signed into law, changes how Colorado allocates funding for early literacy programs and the Teacher of the Year program. Starting in September 2027, it stops transferring money from the state education fund to these specific funds and instead allows the general assembly to directly allocate at least $34 million annually from the state education fund towards supporting the 'Colorado READ Act', which focuses on early literacy initiatives for students. This bill affects how funding is managed for both teacher recognition programs and early childhood reading support across Colorado's public schools.

Last action: 2026-02-06 · House

Discriminatory Practices in Public Schools

HB 26-1141, a Colorado law that has been signed into effect, prohibits public schools and higher education institutions from discriminating against students based on various characteristics including race, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability. This means schools can't deny access or benefits to students because of these factors. If someone feels they've been treated unfairly, they can file a complaint with the Colorado Civil Rights Division, which may lead to mediation or an investigation if necessary. The law also requires higher education institutions to have a designated coordinator for Title VI compliance, ensuring adherence to federal civil rights laws related to discrimination in educational programs and activities.

Last action: 2026-02-04 · House

Teacher Licensing Requirements

House Bill 26-1090 in Colorado updates teacher licensing requirements by asking applicants to disclose any misdemeanor convictions from the past seven years, with some exceptions. Specifically, they must report misdemeanors involving at-risk individuals or children and those that the Department of Education has deemed significant enough to affect a teaching license. The bill also requires disclosure for certain serious misdemeanors regardless of when they occurred. Since it has been signed into law, teacher applicants now need to provide this information as part of their licensing process.

Last action: 2026-02-03 · House

Proposed Guidance Policies Developed by Colorado Department of Education

House Bill 26-1094, which has been signed into law, establishes a council of Colorado school district superintendents within the Department of Education. This council will review and vote on proposed guidance policies from the department to ensure they align with local needs before implementation. The bill aims to give more control to local districts by requiring the department to consider the council's recommendations when creating policies that affect them. In practice, this means that any new educational guidelines must be approved by a majority of superintendents on the council within 45 days of being proposed.

Last action: 2026-02-03 · House

Protect Female Sports Act

The "Protect Female Sports Act" in Colorado requires schools and athletic associations to clearly label sports teams as either for boys/men or girls/women only. It bans male students from participating on female-only teams, unless no female team is available. The law also protects schools from penalties if they maintain separate teams for females. Since the bill has been signed into law, it means that these rules are now enforceable and will impact how sports teams are organized in Colorado's schools.

Last action: 2026-02-02 · House

School Board Elections Director District Residents

Senate Bill 26-57 changes how local school board members are elected in Colorado. Currently, all voters in a school district vote for these positions. The bill proposes that only residents within specific director districts can vote for their local school board members, except for smaller districts with fewer than 6,500 students. This means more targeted representation for larger districts while maintaining the current system for smaller ones. Since the bill has been signed into law, it will now be implemented according to its provisions.

Last action: 2026-01-28 · Senate

Mental Health Training in Concussion Education

Senate Bill 26-60, now signed into law, mandates that coaches of youth athletic activities in Colorado complete a mental health education course every two years. This course covers topics such as the coach’s role in supporting the mental well-being of young athletes, recognizing signs of mental health issues like trauma and substance abuse, and suicide prevention strategies. If a youth athlete is removed from play due to a suspected concussion, coaches must advise parents or guardians to seek medical evaluation for both physical and behavioral health needs. This law aims to improve mental health awareness and support for young athletes involved in sports activities.

Last action: 2026-01-28 · Senate

Modify Administration of Education Assessments

Senate Bill 26-68 modifies how standardized tests are handled in Colorado's schools. It aims to reduce the number of these tests given to students as much as possible and allows the state education department to ask for permission from the federal government to skip some required assessments if needed. This bill has been signed into law, meaning it is now official policy that schools must follow. The change will affect all students in Colorado's public school system by potentially reducing the amount of testing they undergo.

Last action: 2026-01-28 · Senate

Registry in Colorado Department of Education for School Personnel

Senate Bill 26-55 creates a registry within the Colorado Department of Education for school employees who have been found to violate their district's conduct and discipline rules or their employment contract. This means that if a teacher, principal, or other staff member is found guilty of breaking these rules, they will be listed in this new database. The bill has been signed into law, so it is now official policy and school districts must start implementing the registry as required by the state.

Last action: 2026-01-28 · Senate

Colorado Domestic Exchange Program

Senate Bill 26-69, also known as the Colorado Domestic Exchange Program, creates a summer exchange program for high school seniors who have just graduated. These students will spend one week in another state and host visiting students from that state for one week back home in Colorado. The Colorado Department of Education will manage this program through a coordinating entity, but it can only start if the department receives $45,000 in funding by June 30, 2027. Since the bill has been signed into law, the next step is for the Department of Education to begin planning and securing the necessary funds to launch the program.

Last action: 2026-01-28 · Senate