New Colorado Law Requires Black History to Be Taught in Public Schools

As Colorado celebrated Juneteenth, artist Rob Hill led a community mural project at Stanley Marketplace in Aurora to honor the holiday and uplift its historical significance. “The message today is celebrating Juneteenth and everything that comes with that,” Hill explained, while working alongside families and volunteers. Juneteenth commemorates the day in 1865 when the last enslaved African Americans in Texas learned of their freedom, more than two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.

For community members like Joi Haight, the significance of Juneteenth wasn’t taught in schools but passed down through family. “Juneteenth is one of those holidays that wasn't official when I was growing up,” she said. “I learned it mostly from my family, my mom.” Others, like Katherine Streker, only learned about it recently: “My children actually knew about it before I did.”

Although Juneteenth has now become a federal holiday, many aspects of Black American history still go untaught in classrooms. To address this, Colorado Governor Jared Polis recently signed House Bill 25-1149, which mandates the development of statewide Black history education standards for K-12 public schools. The law directs the Colorado State Board of Education to adopt these standards and establishes an advisory committee to guide their creation.

“Black history is American history,” said State Rep. Regina English, who sponsored the bill. “Without a comprehensive Black history curriculum in our public schools, students aren’t receiving the full scope of achievements and contributions of Black Americans.” She emphasized the importance of educating students on Black Americans' impact in fields ranging from politics to engineering.

State Sen. Tony Exum, who sponsored the legislation in the Senate, echoed that sentiment: “Implementing a standardized Black history curriculum... ensures that students of all races and backgrounds receive a more complete education that prepares them to be informed, engaged citizens.”

Local residents, including Streker, welcomed the law’s passage. “I think that's amazing,” she said. “I'm just grateful to live in Denver and in Colorado, where we are allowed and encouraged to teach the truth.”

Link: Denver 7