July 1 marked an important milestone for Colorado schools.
Every school district in the state has now adopted a student cell phone policy, following the passage of Colorado’s phone-free schools law. Over the past two years, educators, families, students, school board members, and community leaders have engaged in thoughtful conversations about how to create learning environments that support learning, well-being, and meaningful connection.
Many districts chose bell-to-bell or “off and away all day” policies, while others took different approaches. At Stand for Children Colorado, we’ve consistently advocated for bell-to-bell, “off and away all day” policies because they deliver the greatest benefits for students. When phones remain out of sight for the entire school day, students gain more opportunities to focus on learning, build relationships, and engage fully in school life. Research and experience from across the country and Colorado districts continue to show that reducing phone distractions creates stronger conditions for both learning and belonging.
We’re proud to have worked alongside parents, educators, and advocates throughout this effort. Together, we elevated research, shared district success stories, supported local leaders exploring policy options, and built momentum for student-centered solutions.
But policy adoption was never the finish line.
Districts that have already implemented phone-free schools consistently tell us that success depends not just on the policy itself, but on how it’s put into practice. Clear communication with families, staff buy-in, consistent expectations, and thoughtful implementation make all the difference. Districts that have already made the transition report stronger student engagement, fewer distractions, and more face-to-face interaction among students.
That’s why our focus is now shifting to include implementation support.
This school year, Stand for Children Colorado is bringing together educators through a Phone-Free Schools Implementation Network, webinar series, and practical resource hub designed to help districts learn from one another. We’ll share real-world examples, implementation tools, and lessons learned from schools that have already made the transition. At the same time, we will continue to advocate for off-and-away all day policies for all school districts. This includes exploring statewide policy to ensure all students can benefit from bell-to-bell policies.
Colorado has made tremendous progress. Now comes the opportunity to get implementation right so every student can benefit from a school day centered on learning, relationships, and belonging.
The policy conversation isn’t over, but our next chapter is clear: helping schools turn good policies into great outcomes for students.
