A Bill for an Act
Page 1, Line 101Concerning allowing nonprofit youth service organizations
Page 1, Line 102to present to students on school campuses.
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.)
On or before January 1, 2026, the bill requires each institute charter school, district charter school, and local board of education to adopt and implement a policy that authorizes a youth service organization to present to students on school campus during the school day about the opportunities available for extracurricular programs and enrichment activities through the youth service organization.
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 that:
Page 2, Line 3(a) Youth today face significant mental health challenges, social
Page 2, Line 4isolation, and academic pressures that impact their overall well-being.
Page 2, Line 5Youth service organizations play a crucial role in fostering resilience,
Page 2, Line 6leadership, and civic engagement by providing structured support
Page 2, Line 7systems, mentorship opportunities, and enrichment activities. These
Page 2, Line 8organizations help bridge gaps in services available in schools and
Page 2, Line 9communities, promote positive social development, and empower young
Page 2, Line 10people with the skills and confidence needed to navigate an increasingly complex world.
Page 2, Line 11(b) Given the ongoing behavioral health crisis and the reduction
Page 2, Line 12in state and federal funding for essential services, it is more important
Page 2, Line 13than ever to ensure that students have access to supportive programs that enhance the students' personal growth and community involvement.
Page 2, Line 14(2) Therefore, the general assembly declares that Colorado must
Page 2, Line 15create meaningful opportunities for young people to connect with trusted
Page 2, Line 16mentors, access valuable resources, and participate in programs that
Page 2, Line 17promote both academic and emotional well-being by facilitating engagement between schools and youth service organizations.
Page 2, Line 18SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 22-1-148 as follows:
Page 2, Line 1922-1-148. Policy for nonprofit youth service organization
Page 2, Line 20engagement on school campus - definitions. (1) As used in this
Page 2, Line 21section, unless the context otherwise requires:
Page 3, Line 1(a) "Policy" means the policy adopted and implemented pursuant to subsection (2) of this section.
Page 3, Line 2(b) "School day" means the time period when a public
Page 3, Line 3school provides educational services to students who are enrolled in a public school.
Page 3, Line 4(c) "Youth service organization" means a youth-serving
Page 3, Line 5nonprofit organization that promotes civic education and
Page 3, Line 6engagement, positive youth development, leadership training
Page 3, Line 7and opportunities, social-emotional well-being, career and job
Page 3, Line 8readiness skills, mentorship opportunities, or community service
Page 3, Line 9opportunities to all youth and does not discriminate on the basis
Page 3, Line 10of disability, race, creed, color, national origin, ancestry,
Page 3, Line 11gender, or sex, except as described in Public Law 93-568, as enacted on December 31, 1974.
Page 3, Line 12(2) (a) On or before January 1, 2026, each institute charter
Page 3, Line 13school, district charter school, and local board of education
Page 3, Line 14shall adopt and implement a policy that authorizes a youth
Page 3, Line 15service organization to present to students on school campus
Page 3, Line 16during the school day about the opportunities available for
Page 3, Line 17extracurricular programs and enrichment activities through the youth service organization.
Page 3, Line 18(b) At a minimum, the policy must identify the process for
Page 3, Line 19a youth service organization to notify a school principal,
Page 3, Line 20school leader, or school district leader of the youth service
Page 3, Line 21organization's desire to present to students on school campus during the school day.
Page 3, Line 22(3) If not otherwise specific in the policy, a school
Page 4, Line 1principal, school leader, or school district leader implementing
Page 4, Line 2the policy shall determine the time, place, and manner of the
Page 4, Line 3youth service organization's presentation on school campus during the school day.
Page 4, Line 4(4) On or before January 1, 2026, each institute charter
Page 4, Line 5school, district charter school, and local board of education shall post the policy on its website.
Page 4, Line 6SECTION 3. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act
Page 4, Line 7takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the
Page 4, Line 8ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly; except
Page 4, Line 9that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V
Page 4, Line 10of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this
Page 4, Line 11act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take
Page 4, Line 12effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in
Page 4, Line 13November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.