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ColoradoHB25-11492025 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Comprehensive Black History & Culture Education in K-12

Sponsored By: Regina English (Democratic), Tony Exum (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Education & School Finance (Pre & K-12)

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Colorado students get Black history standards

Colorado must adopt statewide K–12 standards for Black history and culture through its regular standards schedule. Public schools, including charter schools and cooperative education providers, must include them starting the school year after adoption, every year thereafter. The education department and State Board must use the advisory committee’s recommendations when creating standards and during six-year reviews. Recommended instruction must be age-appropriate and cover Black experiences, achievements, resistance, and contributions. Topics include early African civilizations, slavery, abolition, Reconstruction, civil rights, and Colorado’s Black history.

Free Black history resources for families

Beginning July 1, 2026, Colorado must provide free Black history teaching resources to schools, educators, parents or guardians, and students. The education department must maintain this resource bank, including research-based articles, curricula, and at least the committee’s recommended materials. Materials should suit young people, respect cultural differences, and be available in English and Spanish when possible. Schools need not adopt specific materials; requested help designing age-appropriate lessons is available only as department resources allow. The department may accept gifts, grants, and donations to support this work.

State panel guides Black history teaching

The law creates a 17-member advisory committee to recommend Black history standards and teaching resources and help schools upon request. Initial appointments were due August 15, 2025; members serve four-year terms without pay or expense reimbursement. The committee must meet at least once in 2025 and at least twice yearly afterward. It coordinates with the state’s history education commission and considers findings from the Black Coloradan Racial Equity Study. For fiscal year 2025–26, the law provides $19,225 from the General Fund for implementation, based on 0.2 full-time staff positions.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Regina English

    Democratic • House

  • Tony Exum

    Democratic • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Andrew Boesenecker

    Democratic • House

  • Amy Paschal

    Democratic • House

  • Alex Valdez

    Democratic • House

  • Bob Marshall

    Democratic • House

  • Brianna Titone

    Democratic • House

  • Chad Clifford

    Democratic • House

  • Eliza Hamrick

    Democratic • House

  • Emily Sirota

    Democratic • House

  • Elizabeth Velasco

    Democratic • House

  • Jennifer Bacon

    Democratic • House

  • Jamie Jackson

    Democratic • House

  • Junie Joseph

    Democratic • House

  • Javier Mabrey

    Democratic • House

  • Julie McCluskie

    Democratic • House

  • Jacque Phillips

    Democratic • House

  • Kyle Brown

    Democratic • House

  • Katie Stewart

    Democratic • House

  • Lorena Garcia

    Democratic • House

  • Lindsay Gilchrist

    Democratic • House

  • Monica Duran

    Democratic • House

  • Mandy Lindsay

    Democratic • House

  • Meghan Lukens

    Democratic • House

  • Matthew Martinez

    Democratic • House

  • Manny Rutinel

    Democratic • House

  • Naquetta Ricks

    Democratic • House

  • Rep. S. Bird

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Sean Camacho

    Democratic • House

  • Sheila Lieder

    Democratic • House

  • Tisha Mauro

    Democratic • House

  • Tammy Story

    Democratic • House

  • Cathy Kipp

    Democratic • Senate

  • Chris Kolker

    Democratic • Senate

  • Dafna Michaelson Jenet

    Democratic • Senate

  • Dylan Roberts

    Democratic • Senate

  • Sen. F. Winter

    Affiliation unavailable

  • Iman Jodeh

    Democratic • Senate

  • Judy Amabile

    Democratic • Senate

  • James Coleman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Jessie Danielson

    Democratic • Senate

  • Julie Gonzales

    Democratic • Senate

  • Janice Marchman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Kyle Mullica

    Democratic • Senate

  • Katie Wallace

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lisa Cutter

    Democratic • Senate

  • Lindsey Daugherty

    Democratic • Senate

  • Matt Ball

    Democratic • Senate

  • Marc Snyder

    Democratic • Senate

  • Mike Weissman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Nick Hinrichsen

    Democratic • Senate

  • Robert Rodriguez

    Democratic • Senate

  • Tom Sullivan

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 182 • No: 86

House vote • 5/1/2025

Senate amendments: Repass

Yes: 45 • No: 20

House vote • 5/1/2025

Senate amendments: Concur

Yes: 44 • No: 21

Senate vote • 4/30/2025

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 24 • No: 11

Senate vote • 4/29/2025

Refer House Bill 25-1149 to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 5 • No: 2

Senate vote • 4/23/2025

Refer House Bill 25-1149, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.

Yes: 4 • No: 3

House vote • 4/16/2025

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 45 • No: 20

House vote • 4/15/2025

Refer House Bill 25-1149, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 7 • No: 4

House vote • 2/20/2025

Refer House Bill 25-1149, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.

Yes: 8 • No: 5

Actions Timeline

  1. Governor Signed

    6/3/2025House

  2. Signed by the Speaker of the House

    5/7/2025House

  3. Signed by the President of the Senate

    5/7/2025Senate

  4. Sent to the Governor

    5/7/2025House

  5. House Considered Senate Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass

    5/1/2025House

  6. Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    4/30/2025Senate

  7. Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to Senate Committee of the Whole

    4/29/2025Senate

  8. Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor

    4/29/2025Senate

  9. Senate Committee on Education Refer Amended to Appropriations

    4/23/2025Senate

  10. Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Education

    4/17/2025Senate

  11. House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    4/16/2025House

  12. House Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole

    4/15/2025House

  13. House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee

    4/15/2025House

  14. House Committee on Education Refer Amended to Appropriations

    2/20/2025House

  15. Introduced In House - Assigned to Education

    1/29/2025House

Bill Text

  • Engrossed

    PDF

  • Final Act

    PDF

  • House Appropriations Preamend

    PDF

  • House Education Preamend

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

  • Reengrossed

    PDF

  • Rerevised

    PDF

  • Revised

    PDF

  • Senate Education Preamend

    PDF

  • Signed Act

    PDF

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