April 22, 2025 Story by: Editor
The Colorado House passed a bill that would establish standards for Black history and culture studies in the state.
The sponsor of HB25-1149, Colorado Springs Democratic Rep. Regina English, emphasize this bill is meant to give Colorado students a full understanding of Black Americans’ contributions throughout the history of the U.S. The bill also comes as the Trump administration launches targeted rollbacks of diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in educational institutions across the country, with which Colorado has decidedly not complied.
“Black history is American history, and without a Comprehensive Black history curriculum in our public schools, students aren’t receiving the full scope of achievements and contributions of Black Americans,” Rep. English said.
English is serving her first term as the Colorado State Legislator, representing House District 17 in South East Colorado Springs.
“We can help our students achieve a well-rounded education by developing and standardizing a comprehensive Black history curriculum in Colorado’s public schools,” Rep. English said. “From politics to engineering, Black Americans’ contributions to society are vast. This bill helps ensure that students learn about the influential Black leaders who changed the course of history and our nation.”
The bill passed the House 45-20 and will now move to the state Senate for consideration.
Under HB25-1149, Black historical and cultural studies are defined as “an interdisciplinary program of elementary through secondary academic study that represents Black historical experiences through truthful, inclusive, complex narratives that connect with contemporary realities and highlights the innovations and cultural contributions of Black people in Colorado, America, and the world.”
The bill would create a Black historical and cultural studies advisory committee in the Department of Education to recommend standards and materials that advance appropriate and comprehensive instruction of factual accounts of Black Americans’ struggles and contributions across all fields.
The bill requires the state board of education to adopt the standards on or before July 1, 2026, and school districts to incorporate those standards for schools starting in or after July 2028.
Instead of celebrating an “unparalleled legacy of advancing liberty, individual rights, and human happiness,” the order argues that a “corrosive … divisive, race-centered ideology” has “reconstructed” the nation “as inherently racist, sexist, oppressive, or otherwise irredeemably flawed.”
It instructs Vice President JD Vance to review all properties, programs and presentations to prohibit programs that “degrade shared American values” or “divide Americans based on race.”
Source: Denver KDVR
