A Bill for an Act
Page 1, Line 101Concerning measures to enhance the integrity of digital
Page 1, Line 102education materials 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.)
A public school contracting entity (entity) that executes a contract on or after July 1, 2026, with a vendor or provider of a curated digital research collection (collection) shall include in the terms of the contract a termination clause stating that the contract is materially breached and that grounds for termination exist if the collection contains advertisements, promotions, or embedded links or uniform resource locators (URLs) and when notified of the advertisement, promotion, or URLs the vendor does not remove the items within 3 days after receiving the notice.
All vendors must certify that collections are free of advertisements, promotions, or embedded links or URLs. If a vendor violates the terms of the contract, the entity is entitled to reimbursement and may pursue remedies for breach of contract.
A public school employee, contractor, or volunteer shall report, and students, parents, guardians, legal custodians, or community members (interested parties) may report if a collection is found to contain advertisements, promotions, or embedded links or URLs. The report must include the name of the digital collection and the title of the document, the reference number, or keywords used to access the collection. The entity shall notify the vendor or provider and the department of education (department) of each reported incident. The vendor or provider shall remove the advertisements, promotions, or embedded links or URLs within 3 business days after receiving notice.
The bill requires public schools to annually notify interested parties of the reporting procedures. Public schools shall include the annual notification on their websites. Public schools may include information on their websites regarding how to make a report.
If a public school contracts or enters into an agreement with a public library that promotes a collection, the public school shall annually disclose the details of the contract or agreement by email to the local school district board of education and parents, guardians, or legal custodians of students enrolled in the public school. If any material changes to the contract or agreement occur, the public school shall send an email notification to the local school district board of education, parents, guardians, or legal custodians of students enrolled in the school.
The department is required to annually report to the general assembly on the number of reports that occur each year.
Page 2, Line 1Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
Page 2, Line 2SECTION 1. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly finds and declares that:
Page 2, Line 3(a) Every student in Colorado is entitled to a high-quality
Page 2, Line 4education that nurtures their potential and equips them to thrive in an
Page 2, Line 5ever-evolving world. Educational opportunities must be free from
Page 2, Line 6commercial influence, ensuring that learning environments are rooted in
Page 3, Line 1academic integrity, curiosity, and the pursuit of knowledge. Education, in
Page 3, Line 2all of its forms from elementary school, secondary school, vocational
Page 3, Line 3preparation programs, career and technical educational programs, and
Page 3, Line 4professional programs to higher education programs must be accessible
Page 3, Line 5to all students based on merit and potential, irrespective of background or income.
Page 3, Line 6(b) Access to educational resources that are free from commercial
Page 3, Line 7distractions is a fundamental pillar of a thriving educational system.
Page 3, Line 8Curated digital research collections and tools that empower students on
Page 3, Line 9their academic journey must be free from advertisements, promotions,
Page 3, Line 10and embedded electronic links to commercial content that distract from
Page 3, Line 11their primary purpose: To foster deep learning, critical thinking, and intellectual growth.
Page 3, Line 12(c) The presence of advertisements, promotions, or embedded
Page 3, Line 13electronic links in educational materials is a violation of the sacred space
Page 3, Line 14in which students should be immersed: One that is focused solely on
Page 3, Line 15students' academic and intellectual development. These extraneous
Page 3, Line 16influences not only distract but also diminish the value of educational
Page 3, Line 17resources, turning spaces for learning into venues for commercialization.
Page 3, Line 18The general assembly shall ensure that these spaces remain protected
Page 3, Line 19from commercial interests that do not serve the educational goals of the students of Colorado.
Page 3, Line 20(d) Students, parents, guardians, legal custodians, and educators
Page 3, Line 21must be able to trust that the digital tools and resources that students rely
Page 3, Line 22on for learning are created with their best interests at heart. Commercial
Page 3, Line 23content affects vulnerable students by exposing them to external pressures
Page 3, Line 24and distractions that can disrupt their educational experience.
Page 4, Line 1(e) Public school contracting entities hold a sacred responsibility
Page 4, Line 2to ensure that the educational tools provided to students are not only
Page 4, Line 3academically sound but also ethically aligned with the best interests of
Page 4, Line 4students. By instituting clear contractual terms that hold vendors
Page 4, Line 5accountable for delivering commercial-free educational resources,
Page 4, Line 6Colorado reaffirms its commitment to creating a learning environment
Page 4, Line 7free from external influence, where every student can focus on their
Page 4, Line 8education without the intrusion of advertisements, promotions, or embedded electronic links.
Page 4, Line 9(f) The increasing reliance on curated digital research collections
Page 4, Line 10as primary educational tools makes it more essential than ever that these
Page 4, Line 11resources remain untainted by outside forces. The integrity of these
Page 4, Line 12collections is of paramount academic concern. Every student deserves
Page 4, Line 13access to resources that serve only their intellectual growth, not the interests of corporate entities.
Page 4, Line 14(g) Vendors must be held accountable for ensuring that their
Page 4, Line 15curated digital research collections are free from commercial content.
Page 4, Line 16This act demands that vendors certify their commitment to providing
Page 4, Line 17educational resources that are unencumbered by external distractions.
Page 4, Line 18When these terms are violated, public school contracting entities must
Page 4, Line 19have the power to take swift and decisive action, ensuring that vendors
Page 4, Line 20are held to the highest standard of accountability for their role in shaping the learning experiences of students in Colorado.
Page 4, Line 21(h) By empowering students, parents, guardians, legal custodians,
Page 4, Line 22educators, and the broader community to report violations of these
Page 4, Line 23standards, the general assembly ensures that every voice is heard and that
Page 4, Line 24no student's educational experience is undermined by the intrusion of
Page 5, Line 1commercial content. This process fosters a culture of accountability,
Page 5, Line 2transparency, and student-centered advocacy within the Colorado education system.
Page 5, Line 3(i) Protecting students from unwanted commercial content in their
Page 5, Line 4educational resources is more than just a matter of compliance; it is a
Page 5, Line 5powerful step toward ensuring that education in Colorado remains a force
Page 5, Line 6of good, advancing opportunity and intellectual growth for every student, regardless of their background.
Page 5, Line 7(2) The general assembly further finds that:
Page 5, Line 8(a) Every student in Colorado deserves to learn in an environment
Page 5, Line 9free from the pressures of commercial interests. By mandating clear,
Page 5, Line 10enforceable contractual terms with vendors, this act ensures that curated
Page 5, Line 11digital research collections remain tools for academic success, not vehicles for advertising or promotion.
Page 5, Line 12(b) A system of transparent reporting, swift resolution, and robust
Page 5, Line 13enforcement is necessary to uphold the rights of students, families, and
Page 5, Line 14educators. These mechanisms will allow all stakeholders to hold vendors
Page 5, Line 15accountable and protect the educational experiences of Colorado's
Page 5, Line 16students, ensuring that commercial content does not compromise their learning environment.
Page 5, Line 17(c) The integrity of public school contracts and agreements with
Page 5, Line 18vendors, whether for digital resources or library collections, is essential
Page 5, Line 19to fostering trust and transparency between schools, families, and
Page 5, Line 20communities. By mandating the disclosure of these agreements, this act
Page 5, Line 21strengthens the partnership between schools and the families they serve,
Page 5, Line 22ensuring that resources made available to students are aligned with the
Page 5, Line 23values of academic excellence.
Page 6, Line 1(d) Ensuring that curated digital research collections are free from
Page 6, Line 2commercial content is not only an investment in the academic success of
Page 6, Line 3students; it is an investment in the integrity of Colorado's educational
Page 6, Line 4system as a whole. When students are given the tools to learn without
Page 6, Line 5distraction, they can reach their full potential and contribute to building a stronger, more informed, and more just society.
Page 6, Line 6(3) The general assembly, therefore, finds and declares that it is essential to:
Page 6, Line 7(a) Safeguard the academic environment by ensuring that public
Page 6, Line 8school contracting entities require curated digital research collections to
Page 6, Line 9be free from advertisements, promotions, and embedded electronic links,
Page 6, Line 10ensuring that the focus remains squarely on learning and intellectual development;
Page 6, Line 11(b) Empower all members of the school community, including
Page 6, Line 12students, parents, guardians, legal custodians, educators, and concerned
Page 6, Line 13citizens, to actively participate in protecting the integrity of educational
Page 6, Line 14resources by providing clear avenues for reporting and addressing
Page 6, Line 15violations of these standards, ensuring timely and effective resolution; and
Page 6, Line 16(c) Foster a culture of transparency, accountability, and fairness
Page 6, Line 17in public education by ensuring that the terms of contracts with vendors
Page 6, Line 18are clear, accessible, and aligned with the best interests of students and
Page 6, Line 19by requiring the disclosure of any changes to these contracts to the wider school community.
Page 6, Line 20(4) The general assembly further declares unwavering
Page 6, Line 21commitment to ensuring that every student in Colorado has access to a
Page 6, Line 22distraction-free, academically enriching environment where educational
Page 7, Line 1resources support students' growth, dreams, and future. This act
Page 7, Line 2represents a vital step in advancing a system of education that is fair,
Page 7, Line 3focused, and free from commercial exploitation, ensuring that all students, regardless of their circumstances, have the opportunity to thrive.
Page 7, Line 4SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 22-1-135.4 as follows:
Page 7, Line 522-1-135.4. Terms and conditions in public school contracts -
Page 7, Line 6curated digital research collections - definitions. (1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
Page 7, Line 7(a) "Advertisement" means the act of promoting,
Page 7, Line 8publishing, disseminating, soliciting, or circulating online
Page 7, Line 9images, text, articles, videos, or audio communications that promote a product, service, business, or industry to a student.
Page 7, Line 10(b) "Curated digital research collection" or "collection"
Page 7, Line 11means a collection of media, files, or databases that have been
Page 7, Line 12curated and digitally preserved and are accessible on the internet via an internet connection or through software.
Page 7, Line 13(c) "Department" means the department of education created in section 24-1-115.
Page 7, Line 14(d) "Embedded electronic link or uniform resource
Page 7, Line 15locator" or "embedded link or URL" means an electronic link or URL that directs users to an advertisement or promotion.
Page 7, Line 16(e) "Public school" means a school of a school district, a
Page 7, Line 17district charter school authorized pursuant to part 1 of article
Page 7, Line 1830.5 of this title 22, an institute charter school authorized
Page 7, Line 19pursuant to part 5 of article 30.5 of this title 22, or a board of
Page 7, Line 20cooperative services created and operating pursuant to article 5 of this title 22.
Page 8, Line 1(f) "Public school contracting entity" means an entity
Page 8, Line 2that is authorized to contract for the direct benefit of or
Page 8, Line 3support of a public school and enters into a public school
Page 8, Line 4contract. "Public school contracting entity" includes a school
Page 8, Line 5of a school district, a district charter school, an institute
Page 8, Line 6charter school, a school district, or the state charter school institute.
Page 8, Line 7(g) "Vendor" means a business or other organization with
Page 8, Line 8which a public school contracting entity contracts for a
Page 8, Line 9product or service. "Vendor" includes a school service contract provider.
Page 8, Line 10(2) (a) For a contract that a public school contracting
Page 8, Line 11entity enters into with a vendor or renews with a vendor on or
Page 8, Line 12after July 1, 2026, for a curated digital research collection
Page 8, Line 13that is scholarly in nature or intended to supplement
Page 8, Line 14educational goals and is used by students, the public school
Page 8, Line 15contracting entity shall include in the terms of the contract a
Page 8, Line 16termination clause stating that the contract is materially
Page 8, Line 17breached and that grounds for termination of the contract
Page 8, Line 18exist if the collection contains advertisements, promotions, or
Page 8, Line 19embedded links or URLs and when notified of the advertisement,
Page 8, Line 20promotion, or embedded links or URLs the vendor does not
Page 8, Line 21remove the items within three days after receiving the notice.
Page 8, Line 22All vendors must certify that curated digital research
Page 8, Line 23collections are free of advertisements, promotions, or embedded
Page 8, Line 24links or URLs. If a vendor violates the terms of the contract
Page 9, Line 1pursuant to this subsection (2), the public school contracting
Page 9, Line 2entity is entitled to reimbursement and may pursue remedies for breach of contract.
Page 9, Line 3(b) (I) A public school employee, contractor, or volunteer
Page 9, Line 4shall report to the public school contracting entity when
Page 9, Line 5notified that a collection contains an advertisement,
Page 9, Line 6promotion, or embedded link or URL or upon finding an
Page 9, Line 7advertisement, promotion, embedded link or URL in a collection.
Page 9, Line 8If a student; a student's parent, guardian, or legal custodian; or
Page 9, Line 9a community member finds that a collection contains an
Page 9, Line 10advertisement, promotion, or embedded link or URL, they may report to the public school contracting entity.
Page 9, Line 11(II) The report must include the name of the collection
Page 9, Line 12and details, which may include the title of a document, a
Page 9, Line 13reference number, keywords used to access the collection, or a hard copy or photograph of the collection.
Page 9, Line 14(c) The public school contracting entity shall notify the
Page 9, Line 15vendor or provider of the collection and the department within
Page 9, Line 16one business day after receiving notice pursuant to subsection
Page 9, Line 17(2)(b) of this section that the collection contains an
Page 9, Line 18advertisement, promotion, or embedded link or URL. The public
Page 9, Line 19school contracting entity shall include the information
Page 9, Line 20reported pursuant to subsection (2)(b) of this section in the
Page 9, Line 21notification. The vendor or provider of the collection shall
Page 9, Line 22remove the advertisement, promotion, or embedded link or URL
Page 9, Line 23within three business days after receiving the notice from the
Page 9, Line 24public school contracting entity.
Page 10, Line 1(3) A public school shall annually notify public school
Page 10, Line 2employees, contractors, or volunteers; students, parents,
Page 10, Line 3guardians, or legal custodians; and community members that
Page 10, Line 4collections are required to be free of advertisements,
Page 10, Line 5promotions, or embedded links or URLs. The notification must
Page 10, Line 6include that public school employees, contractors, or
Page 10, Line 7volunteers shall report, and that students, parents, guardians,
Page 10, Line 8legal custodians, or community members may report, to the
Page 10, Line 9public school contracting entity if they discover or are notified
Page 10, Line 10that there are advertisements, promotions, or embedded links or
Page 10, Line 11URLs in the collection. The public school shall include the
Page 10, Line 12annual notification on its website. The public school may
Page 10, Line 13include the information on its website regarding how to make a report.
Page 10, Line 14(4) If a public school contracts or enters into an
Page 10, Line 15agreement with a public library, as defined in section 24-90-103,
Page 10, Line 16that promotes a collection, the public school shall annually
Page 10, Line 17disclose the details of the contract or agreement with the
Page 10, Line 18public library by email to the local school district board of
Page 10, Line 19education, parents, guardians, or legal custodians of students
Page 10, Line 20enrolled in the school. If any changes to the contract or
Page 10, Line 21agreement occur, the public school shall send an email
Page 10, Line 22notification that describes any material changes to the local
Page 10, Line 23school district board of education, parents, guardians, or legal custodians of students enrolled in the school.
Page 10, Line 24(5) (a) Subject to available appropriations, the
Page 10, Line 25department shall collect and compile the reports received
Page 11, Line 1pursuant to subsection (2)(c) of this section into a comprehensive
Page 11, Line 2statewide report. On or before January 15, 2027, and every
Page 11, Line 3January 15 thereafter, the department shall submit the
Page 11, Line 4statewide report described in this subsection (5)(a) to the
Page 11, Line 5education committees of the house of representatives and the senate, or their successor committees.
Page 11, Line 6(b) Notwithstanding the requirement in section 24-1-136
Page 11, Line 7(11)(a)(I), the requirement to submit the report required in subsection (5)(a) of this section continues indefinitely.
Page 11, Line 8SECTION 3. Act subject to petition - effective date -
Page 11, Line 9applicability. (1) This act takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following
Page 11, Line 10the expiration of the ninety-day period after final adjournment of the
Page 11, Line 11general assembly; except that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant
Page 11, Line 12to section 1 (3) of article V of the state constitution against this act or an
Page 11, Line 13item, section, or part of this act within such period, then the act, item,
Page 11, Line 14section, or part will not take effect unless approved by the people at the
Page 11, Line 15general election to be held in November 2026 and, in such case, will take
Page 11, Line 16effect on the date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.
Page 11, Line 17(2) This act applies to contracts entered into or renewed on or after July 1, 2026.