More than 20 advocates from across Colorado are joining our team at the Capitol to engage with legislators about policies to fund Colorado schools equitably, advance common sense criminal justice reform, support efforts to diversify Colorado’s educator workforce, and improve high school graduation rates.
Join them by taking action below!
Advocate with us Virtually!
Equitable School Funding
HB24-1282, Ninth-Grade Success Grant & Performance Reporting, expands funding for the 9th Grade Success Grant Program, which will allow more Colorado schools to implement the approach changing the trajectory for our high school students. Decades of research has shown that supporting students by implementing a 9th grade success approach improves graduation rates, and the impacts in Colorado schools speak for themselves.
Criminal Justice Reform
Colorado’s landmark clean slate policy, SB22-099 was signed into law in 2022, to automatically seal the criminal records of individuals who are convicted of a non-violent offense once they have completed their sentence, a waiting period, and not committed another criminal offense.
In order for it to be implemented successfully certain clarifications need to be made by the legislature now. HB24-1133, Criminal Record Sealing & Expungement Changes, is bipartisan legislation to address parts of SB22-099 that need to be clarified. When people can provide for themselves and their children, all Coloradans benefit. This proposed update improves outcomes for individuals, children, and entire families.
Youth Mental Health
The need for mental health supports for Colorado children is greater than ever before, and the legislature is considering legislation to help.
SB24-001, will continue indefinitely, the “I Matter” youth mental health services program which provides up to six free therapy sessions and reimburses participating licensed therapists.
Educator Diversity
HB24-1290, Student Educator Stipend Program, appropriates annual funding for stipends for student teachers. This is part of a multi-year effort designed to remove barriers in educator preparation to increase educator diversity and address Colorado’s teacher shortage.
We believe that removing financial barriers and increasing pathways to licensure will ensure a more diverse educator workforce, which will benefit all of our students.
