May 5, 2025 Story by: Publisher
Colorado lawmakers have sent a landmark education bill to Governor Jared Polis that will, if enacted, require Colorado’s public schools to teach a standardized, comprehensive Black history curriculum across all K‑12 grade levels.
The legislation, HB 25‑1149, sailed through the state Senate on April 30 with a 45–20 party‑line vote, then cleared the House earlier in the session by the same margin. Now awaiting the governor’s signature, the bill tasks the State Board of Education with adopting “standards related to Black historical and cultural studies” by July 1, 2026, and mandates that local school districts integrate those standards into their social studies courses by the 2028–29 school year.
Key Provisions of HB 25‑1149
- Advisory Committee: Establishes a 17‑member Black Historical and Cultural Studies Advisory Committee within the Colorado Department of Education to recommend grade‑appropriate standards and curricular materials.
- Resource Bank: Directs the department to create and maintain a publicly accessible repository of research‑based articles, program materials, and curricula on Black history and culture.
- Funding: Appropriates $19,225 for the 2025–26 fiscal year to cover the costs of content specialists overseeing the committee’s work.
Bipartisan Context and Legislative History
Rep. Regina English (D‑Colorado Springs) spearheaded the bill in the House, where she argued during floor debate that “Black history is American history,” and noted students deserve “a well‑rounded education that honors the extensive contributions of Black Americans”. In the Senate, veteran Sen. Tony Exum Sr. (D‑Colorado Springs) praised the legislation as “timely” for ensuring all students feel “included, appreciated, valued, and recognized” in the classroom.
Support and Opposition
Supporters—including student and teacher testimony heard in committee hearings—argued the bill fills gaps in existing social studies standards, ensuring Black Americans’ struggles and achievements are taught systematically. Critics, notably the Charter Advocacy Coalition, warned that a separate mandate for Black history could duplicate current standards and marginalize other underrepresented groups such as Native American and Hispanic communities.
Next Steps and Implementation
Upon Governor Polis’s signature, the Department of Education will convene the advisory committee and begin drafting the new standards. Schools would follow the six‑year cycle used for all academic standards revisions, with new Black history requirements phased in beginning in the 2028–29 school year.
If signed, Colorado will join a growing number of states standardizing Black history education, reflecting a broader national movement toward more inclusive curricula. Governor Polis has ten days (excluding Sundays) after receiving the measure to sign or veto; otherwise, it becomes law without his signature.
Source: KKTV / Colorado General Assembly
