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 19 SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 22-1-148 as follows:
Page 2, Line 2022-1-148. Policy for nonprofit youth service organization
Page 2, Line 21engagement on school campus - definitions. (1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:
Page 3, Line 1(a) "Local education provider" means an institute charter school, district charter school, or a local board of education.
Page 3, Line 2(b) "Policy" means the policy adopted and implemented pursuant to subsection (2) of this section.
Page 3, Line 3(c) "Youth service organization" means a youth-serving nonprofit organization that:
Page 3, Line 4(I) Promotes civic education and engagement, positive
Page 3, Line 5youth development, leadership training and opportunities,
Page 3, Line 6social-emotional well-being, career and job readiness skills,
Page 3, Line 7mentorship opportunities, or community service opportunities to all youth;
Page 3, Line 8(II) Does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race,
Page 3, Line 9creed, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, or sex, except as described in Public Law 93-568, as enacted on December 31, 1974;
Page 3, Line 10(III) Offers extracurricular or enrichment activities that
Page 3, Line 11are reasonably available in proximity to the students of the
Page 3, Line 12local education provider with whom the youth services
Page 3, Line 13organization seeks to communicate pursuant to the policy adopted by the local education provider; and
Page 3, Line 14(IV) Has established and maintained a presence in the community of the students of the local education provider.
Page 3, Line 15(2) (a) On or before January 1, 2026, each local education
Page 3, Line 16provider shall adopt and implement a written policy, or update
Page 3, Line 17an existing policy if applicable, concerning options for youth
Page 3, Line 18services organizations to communicate with students about the
Page 3, Line 19opportunities available for extracurricular programs and enrichment activities through the youth service organization.
Page 4, Line 1(b) A youth service organization shall not communicate with students during instructional time.
Page 4, Line 2(c) In developing the policy, the local education provider may consider:
Page 4, Line 3(I) Prohibitions and exceptions for communication
Page 4, Line 4permitted by the policy that are specific to elementary school
Page 4, Line 5students, middle school students, and high school students that
Page 4, Line 6are appropriate based on the ages and developmental maturity
Page 4, Line 7of students who attend each type of school and any age
Page 4, Line 8restrictions for extracurricular or enrichment activities made available by the youth services organization;
Page 4, Line 9(II) Unintended burdens, including additional costs associated with the policy;
Page 4, Line 10(III) Any available evidence-based resources and
Page 4, Line 11research concerning outcomes of the extracurricular or
Page 4, Line 12enrichment activities made available by the youth service organization; and
Page 4, Line 13(IV) Methods of communication by a youth services
Page 4, Line 14organization that ensures students learn of opportunities for
Page 4, Line 15extracurricular or enrichment activities offered by a youth
Page 4, Line 16service organization in a manner that is likely to generate
Page 4, Line 17student interest in extracurricular opportunities or enrichment
Page 4, Line 18activities in general and specific to a youth service organization in particular.
Page 4, Line 19(3) If not otherwise specified in the policy, a school
Page 4, Line 20principal, school leader, or school district leader implementing
Page 5, Line 1the policy shall determine the time, place, and manner of the
Page 5, Line 2youth service organization's presentation on school campus during the school day.
Page 5, Line 3(4) A youth service organization that is permitted to
Page 5, Line 4communicate with students pursuant to the policy developed by
Page 5, Line 5a local education provider shall comply with any other policies,
Page 5, Line 6procedures, or rules established by the local education provider.
Page 5, Line 7(5) Before the start of the 2026-27 academic school year,
Page 5, Line 8each local education provider shall post the policy on its website.
Page 5, Line 9SECTION 3. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act
Page 5, Line 10takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the
Page 5, Line 11ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly; except
Page 5, Line 12that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V
Page 5, Line 13of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this
Page 5, Line 14act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take
Page 5, Line 15effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in
Page 5, Line 16November 2026 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.