Trauma-Informed School Safety Practices

New guidance for safer school drills

Colorado law directs the Office of School Safety to lead a temporary group on reducing trauma from school safety drills. The group develops recommendations, not new drill rules that schools must follow. Its work covers age-appropriate drills, staff training, drill frequency, planning and response, advance parent notice, and guidance for families. It also identifies resources and funding needed to put recommendations into practice. Parents, a public school student, educators, health experts, and public safety officials serve on the group. Members receive no pay but may receive expense reimbursements. The law sets September 1, 2025, as the convening deadline, but key work-group requirements depend on funding. Those requirements take effect only after the Office receives at least $50,000 in gifts, grants, or donations, or qualifying in-kind support worth $50,000, and notifies the Revisor of Statutes. Appointments are due within 28 days after those requirements take effect. The group must meet at least four times in its first six months and three times in its second six months. Its report is due within one year and one month after the triggered effective date. Findings go to state leaders and education officials and enter state agency oversight presentations. Donations and grants fund the work; state General Fund money cannot support implementation. For fiscal year 2025–26, the law provides $50,000 from the new school safety drills fund for Department of Public Safety administration. If the funding-triggered requirements have not taken effect by June 30, 2027, collected money transfers to the State Education Fund. The section ends July 1, 2027, unless the funding notice extends it until one year after reporting requirements are met.