A Bill for an Act
Page 1, Line 101Concerning comprehensive socio-cultural Black history
Page 1, Line 102education in public schools.
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at http://leg.colorado.gov.)
The bill requires the state board of education to adopt standards related to Black historical and cultural studies (standards) on or before July 1, 2026. For school years beginning on or after July 1, 2028, local education providers shall incorporate the standards into courses for public elementary and secondary school students in the state.
The bill creates the Black historical and cultural studies advisory committee (committee) in the department of education (department) to recommend standards and related materials and to contribute technical assistance at the request of local education providers implementing the standards. The committee's recommendations must advance developmentally appropriate but comprehensive instruction that features factual accounts of the struggles and contributions of Black Americans in all fields of endeavor.
Using the committee's recommendations, the department shall create and maintain a resource bank of research-based, scholarly articles and promising program materials and curricula pertaining to Black historical and cultural studies.
This Unofficial Version Includes Committee
Amendments Not Yet Adopted on Second Reading
Page 2, Line 1Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
Page 2, Line 2SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 22-1-104.9 as follows:
Page 2, Line 322-1-104.9. Teaching of Black historical and cultural studies
Page 2, Line 4- definitions. (1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
Page 2, Line 5(a) "Black historical and cultural studies" means an
Page 2, Line 6interdisciplinary program of elementary through secondary academic study that:
Page 2, Line 7(I) Represents Black historical experiences through
Page 2, Line 8truthful, inclusive, complex narratives that connect with contemporary realities; and
Page 2, Line 9(II) Highlights the innovations and cultural
Page 2, Line 10contributions of Black people in Colorado, America, and the world.
Page 2, Line 11(b) "Local education provider" means:
(I) A school district;
Page 2, Line 12(II) A charter school authorized by a school district
Page 2, Line 13pursuant to part 1 of article 30.5 of this title 22;
Page 3, Line 1(III) A charter school authorized by the state charter
Page 3, Line 2school institute pursuant to part 5 of article 30.5 of this title 22;
Page 3, Line 3(IV) The state charter school institute created pursuant to section 22-30.5-503; or
Page 3, Line 4(V) A board of cooperative services created and
Page 3, Line 5operating pursuant to article 5 of this title 22 that operates one or more public schools.
Page 3, Line 6(2) Each local education provider shall incorporate the
Page 3, Line 7standards on Black historical and cultural studies developed
Page 3, Line 8and adopted by the state board pursuant to section 22-7-1005
Page 3, Line 9(2.9) into courses for elementary through secondary education
Page 3, Line 10students, for the school year immediately following the initial
Page 3, Line 11adoption of the standards pursuant to the schedule described in section 22-7-1005 (6) and every school year thereafter.
Page 3, Line 12(3) The state board of education shall implement the
Page 3, Line 13recommendations of the Black historical and cultural studies
Page 3, Line 14advisory committee established in section 22-2-127.4 when
Page 3, Line 15performing its six-year review of the state's education standards pursuant to section 22-7-1005 (6).
Page 3, Line 16SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-7-1005, add (2.9) as follows:
Page 3, Line 1722-7-1005. Preschool through elementary and secondary
Page 3, Line 18education - aligned standards - adoption - revisions.
Page 3, Line 19(2.9) (a) Pursuant to the standards schedule described in
Page 3, Line 20subsection (6) of this section, the state board shall adopt
Page 3, Line 21standards that identify the knowledge and skills that
Page 4, Line 1elementary through secondary education students should
Page 4, Line 2acquire related to Black historical and cultural studies, as defined in section 22-1-104.9.
Page 4, Line 3(b) In creating the standards described in subsection
Page 4, Line 4(2.9)(a) of this section, the department of education shall
Page 4, Line 5implement the recommendations of the Black historical and
Page 4, Line 6cultural studies advisory committee established in section 22-2-127.4.
Page 4, Line 7SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 22-2-127.4 as follows:
Page 4, Line 822-2-127.4. Black historical and cultural studies - advisory
Page 4, Line 9committee - resource bank - technical assistance - definitions. (1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
Page 4, Line 10(a) "Black historical and cultural studies" means an
Page 4, Line 11interdisciplinary program of elementary through secondary academic study that:
Page 4, Line 12(I) Represents Black historical experiences through
Page 4, Line 13truthful, inclusive, complex narratives that connect with contemporary realities; and
Page 4, Line 14(II) Highlights the innovations and cultural
Page 4, Line 15contributions of Black people in Colorado, America, and the world.
Page 4, Line 16(b) "Committee" means the Black historical and cultural
Page 4, Line 17studies advisory committee created pursuant to subsection (2) of this section.
Page 4, Line 18(c) "Local education provider" means:
Page 4, Line 19(I) A school district;
Page 5, Line 1(II) A charter school authorized by a school district pursuant to part 1 of article 30.5 of this title 22;
Page 5, Line 2(III) A charter school authorized by the state charter
Page 5, Line 3school institute pursuant to part 5 of article 30.5 of this title 22;
Page 5, Line 4(IV) The state charter school institute created pursuant to section 22-30.5-503; or
Page 5, Line 5(V) A board of cooperative services created and
Page 5, Line 6operating pursuant to article 5 of this title 22 that operates one or more public schools.
Page 5, Line 7(2) The Black historical and cultural studies advisory
Page 5, Line 8committee is created in the department. The purpose of the
Page 5, Line 9committee is to make recommendations to the state board and
Page 5, Line 10department to be implemented in conjunction with the regular
Page 5, Line 11six-year review of the state's education standards and programs
Page 5, Line 12pursuant to section 22-7-1005 and to recommend resources and
Page 5, Line 13provide technical assistance pursuant to subsection (6) of this section.
Page 5, Line 14(3) (a) The Black historical and cultural studies advisory
Page 5, Line 15committee consists of seventeen members appointed by the designated appointing officials as follows:
Page 5, Line 16(I) The governor shall appoint, through the office of
Page 5, Line 17boards and commissions, the following members of the committee:
Page 5, Line 18(A) One member who is an academic expert in Black history and culture;
Page 5, Line 19(B) One member who is a historian with expertise in the history of Black Coloradans;
Page 6, Line 1(C) One member who is a teacher in a rural school district
Page 6, Line 2or a small rural school district, as defined in section 22-7-1211,
Page 6, Line 3and holds an initial or professional teacher's license pursuant to article 60.5 of this title 22;
Page 6, Line 4(D) One member who is a teacher in a school district that
Page 6, Line 5is not a rural school district or a small rural school district,
Page 6, Line 6as defined in section 22-7-1211, and holds an initial or
Page 6, Line 7professional teacher's license pursuant to article 60.5 of this title 22;
Page 6, Line 8(E) One member who is a librarian specializing in Black
Page 6, Line 9arts and culture and who is a member of a professional association of librarians;
Page 6, Line 10(F) Two members who are curriculum specialists, one of
Page 6, Line 11whom specializes in elementary education, one of whom
Page 6, Line 12specializes in secondary education, and both of whom are members of a professional association;
Page 6, Line 13(G) One member who is a parent or legal guardian of a
Page 6, Line 14student who attends a public school and is a member of a parent organization;
Page 6, Line 15(H) Two members who each represent a nonprofit
Page 6, Line 16organization specializing in civil rights and racial justice with
Page 6, Line 17an emphasis on comprehensive Black historical and cultural education in public schools;
Page 6, Line 18(I) One member who represents a nonprofit organization specializing in Black arts and culture; and
Page 6, Line 19(J) Two members from the Black community whose
Page 7, Line 1leadership in literary, artistic, military, business, science,
Page 7, Line 2technology, media, or civic life contributes valuable lived experience to the work of the committee;
Page 7, Line 3(II) The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint one member;
Page 7, Line 4(III) The president of the senate shall appoint one member; and
Page 7, Line 5(IV) The commissioner shall appoint two members from the department, who are nonvoting members.
Page 7, Line 6(b) The membership of the committee must reflect a deep
Page 7, Line 7collective understanding of Black history and culture, with
Page 7, Line 8demonstrated expertise in Black history, social equity, and civil
Page 7, Line 9rights. A majority of the committee members must have either
Page 7, Line 10classroom experience or experience in developing education content standards.
Page 7, Line 11(c) The appointing officials shall make the initial appointments to the committee no later than August 15, 2025.
Page 7, Line 12(d) The term of appointment is four years. The appointing
Page 7, Line 13officials shall fill any vacancies on the committee for the remainder of any unexpired term.
Page 7, Line 14(4) Members of the committee serve without compensation and without reimbursement for expenses.
Page 7, Line 15(5) (a) The committee shall elect a chair from among the
Page 7, Line 16committee's members to serve for a term not to exceed two years, as determined by the committee.
Page 7, Line 17(b) The committee shall meet at least once in 2025, and at
Page 7, Line 18least twice annually each year thereafter. The chair may call
Page 8, Line 1such additional meetings as are necessary for the committee to complete its duties.
Page 8, Line 2(6) The committee shall:
Page 8, Line 3(a) Make recommendations to the state board and the
Page 8, Line 4department regarding standards that identify the knowledge
Page 8, Line 5and skills that elementary through secondary education
Page 8, Line 6students should acquire related to Black historical and
Page 8, Line 7cultural studies pursuant to section 22-7-1005 (2.9) and develop
Page 8, Line 8recommendations for the state board to implement during its six-year review of the state's education standards;
Page 8, Line 9(b) Identify and recommend materials and resources for
Page 8, Line 10inclusion in the resource bank created pursuant to subsection (8) of this section; and
Page 8, Line 11(c) At the request of a local education provider,
Page 8, Line 12collaborate with the department to provide technical
Page 8, Line 13assistance to the local education provider in designing
Page 8, Line 14age-appropriate curricula pertaining to Black historical and cultural studies.
Page 8, Line 15(7) (a) In making recommendations pursuant to subsection
Page 8, Line 16(6)(a) of this section, the committee shall coordinate with the
Page 8, Line 17history, culture, social contributions, and civil government in
Page 8, Line 18education commission established pursuant to section 22-1-104.3
Page 8, Line 19and may consider the findings of the Black Coloradan racial equity study pursuant to section 2-2-2307 (1)(d).
Page 8, Line 20(b) The recommendations must advance developmentally appropriate but comprehensive instruction that:
Page 8, Line 21(I) Includes a diversity of opinions and narratives within the Black experience;
Page 9, Line 1(II) Features factual accounts of the struggles and contributions of Black Americans in all fields of endeavor;
Page 9, Line 2(III) Reflects black agency and resistance against oppression;
Page 9, Line 3(IV) Fosters cross-cultural understanding and empowers all students;
Page 9, Line 4(V) Features a diverse range of Black achievements in artistic, scientific, civic, and business endeavors; and
Page 9, Line 5(VI) Includes the study of early African civilizations, the
Page 9, Line 6global migrations of African people throughout the African
Page 9, Line 7Diaspora, the slave trade and enslavement in America,
Page 9, Line 8abolition, reconstruction, the civil rights movement, as well as
Page 9, Line 9Black history in Colorado and local Black histories within the state.
Page 9, Line 10(c) In making recommendations pursuant to subsection (6)(a) of this section, the committee shall:
Page 9, Line 11(I) Evaluate the most recent revisions to the state's
Page 9, Line 12history and civics standards that reflect the recommendations
Page 9, Line 13provided by the history, culture, social contributions, and civil
Page 9, Line 14government in education commission established in section 22-1-104.3; and
Page 9, Line 15(II) Include recommendations for any updates necessary
Page 9, Line 16to make the state's history and civics standards current,
Page 9, Line 17accurate, comprehensive, and aligned with the committee's other recommendations.
Page 9, Line 18(8) (a) The department shall create and maintain a
Page 10, Line 1resource bank of existing research-based scholarly articles
Page 10, Line 2and promising program materials and curricula pertaining to
Page 10, Line 3Black historical and cultural studies. The materials and
Page 10, Line 4curricula may be used in elementary and secondary schools in
Page 10, Line 5the state. At a minimum, the resource bank must include the
Page 10, Line 6materials and resources that the committee recommends
Page 10, Line 7pursuant to subsection (6)(b) of this section. To the extent
Page 10, Line 8possible, the resource bank materials, scholarly articles, and
Page 10, Line 9curricula must be youth-friendly, culturally sensitive, and available in both English and Spanish.
Page 10, Line 10(b) On and after July 1, 2026, the department shall make
Page 10, Line 11the materials in the resource bank available without charge to
Page 10, Line 12local education providers, professional educators, parents or
Page 10, Line 13guardians of youth, and students. A local education provider is
Page 10, Line 14not required to adopt or implement any material or curricula
Page 10, Line 15from the resource bank. At the request of a local education
Page 10, Line 16provider and subject to available resources, the department
Page 10, Line 17shall provide technical assistance to the local education
Page 10, Line 18provider in designing age-appropriate curricula pertaining to Black historical and cultural studies.
Page 10, Line 19(c) Local education providers are encouraged to report
Page 10, Line 20to the department on the effectiveness of the resource bank
Page 10, Line 21materials and curricula and to recommend changes to improve
Page 10, Line 22the materials and curricula. The department is encouraged to
Page 10, Line 23update the resource bank materials and curricula based on
Page 10, Line 24recommendations from local education providers, professional
Page 10, Line 25educators, parents or guardians of youth, and students.
Page 11, Line 1(9) The department may seek, accept, and expend gifts,
Page 11, Line 2grants, or donations from private or public sources for the purposes of this section.
Page 11, Line 3SECTION 4. Safety clause. The general assembly finds,
Page 11, Line 4determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate
Page 11, Line 5preservation of the public peace, health, or safety or for appropriations for
Page 11, Line 6the support and maintenance of the departments of the state and state institutions.