June 5, 2025 Story by: Editor
Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed House Bill 25-1149 into law on June 3, 2025, mandating the development and implementation of standardized Black history and cultural studies curriculum across all K–12 public schools in the state.
Legislative Overview
Sponsored by Representative Regina English and Senator Tony Exum Sr., both from Colorado Springs, HB25-1149 requires the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) to establish comprehensive educational standards focused on Black history and culture. These standards are to be developed with input from a newly formed 17-member advisory committee comprising educators, historians, community leaders, and other stakeholders.
The advisory committee’s role includes recommending developmentally appropriate, factual, and inclusive instructional materials that highlight the struggles and contributions of Black Americans across various fields, including politics, science, arts, and engineering. The CDE will utilize these recommendations to create a resource bank of scholarly articles and curricula to assist educators in effectively teaching Black history.
Implementation Timeline
The State Board of Education is tasked with adopting the new standards by July 1, 2026. Subsequently, all public schools in Colorado are required to integrate these standards into their curricula by the 2028–2029 academic year, aligning with the state’s six-year cycle for revising academic standards.
Context and Significance
This legislative move comes amid national debates over the inclusion of race and history in educational curricula. While some states have enacted laws restricting discussions on race-related topics, Colorado’s approach emphasizes a comprehensive and honest portrayal of history. Senator Exum highlighted the importance of this initiative, stating, “Implementing a standardized Black history curriculum in our public schools ensures that students of all races and backgrounds receive a more complete education that prepares them to be informed, engaged citizens and honors the extensive contributions of Black Americans in shaping our state and nation.”
Representative English echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that “Black history is American history,” and underscored the necessity of a curriculum that reflects the full scope of Black Americans’ achievements and contributions.
Stakeholder Perspectives
The bill has garnered support from educators and community leaders who advocate for a more inclusive educational framework. However, some charter school representatives have expressed concerns about potential redundancies, noting that existing social studies standards already encompass key aspects of Black history. They caution that additional mandates could inadvertently marginalize other underrepresented histories.
Conclusion
Colorado’s enactment of HB25-1149 marks a pivotal moment in the state’s educational landscape, aiming to provide students with a richer, more inclusive understanding of American history. By institutionalizing Black history education, the state seeks to foster a more informed and equitable society.
Source: Colorado Capital Watch / Colorado Legislator / Colorado House Dems / KKTV / KRDO
