Marcos is a Legislative Director for ExcelinEd in Action.
Colorado’s 2025 legislative session concluded with several important wins for students and families, including new policies to reduce classroom distractions, strengthen early literacy and expand postsecondary and workforce readiness.
These reforms reflect Colorado leaders’ continued commitment to building a student-centered education system that prepares learners for the future.
Colorado lawmakers made key improvements to early literacy policy this year with the adoption of Sen. Chris Kolker and Representative Eliza Hamrick’s SB 25-200. The bill requires universal dyslexia screening for K-3 students and makes significant changes to the READ Act to strengthen early literacy interventions.
This new law aims to identify struggling readers earlier, including those with the characteristics of dyslexia, and provide them with the support they need to achieve grade-level proficiency, a critical milestone for long-term academic success. Additionally, the legislation includes professional development for educators, ensuring teachers have the training and tools to support students with diverse reading needs.
This investment in early literacy is an important step toward closing achievement gaps and preparing Colorado students for future success.
Gov. Jared Polis signed an Executive Order aimed at strengthening the connections between K-12 education, higher education and the workforce to provide Colorado learners with more seamless, accessible pathways to meaningful careers.
The Executive Order directs key state agencies to collaborate with the Colorado Department of Education on strategies to modernize and integrate education and workforce systems. This innovative approach builds on recommendations from recent state task forces that identified gaps in Colorado’s talent development pipeline.
“Colorado is a national leader in helping students and workers develop the skills they need to thrive,” Gov. Polis said. “This Executive Order ensures our state meets learners and earners where they are, connecting them to opportunities that lead to good jobs and successful careers.”
The Executive Order’s focus areas include:
This forward-thinking effort sets the stage for a more integrated, student-centered approach that prepares Colorado’s learners not just for college, but for the jobs and opportunities that await them in the state’s dynamic economy.
Colorado’s 2025 legislative session also marked a significant milestone in reimagining the state’s postsecondary talent development system. Colorado lawmakers prioritized postsecondary and workforce readiness with the passage of SB 25-315, sponsored by Sens. Jeff Bridges and Barbara Kirkmeyer.
The new law streamlines postsecondary workforce development funding into three funding streams—start-up funding, innovation grant funding and sustain funding—and direct resources to programs that deliver results for students.
After giving districts the time to strengthen funding, the sustain funding portion is partially tied to student outcomes, such as credential attainment, work-based learning or postsecondary credit attainment. These changes aim to increase student engagement, decrease dropout rates and ensure investments in career training, ultimately benefiting students and the state’s economy.
To address teacher shortages and strengthen the educator workforce, Colorado passed SB 25-154, sponsored by Sen. Cathy Kipp.
This new law allows currently licensed secondary teachers who are working toward early childhood and elementary licensure endorsements to meet requirements by demonstrating professional competencies through multiple measures, including approved assessments or relevant coursework.
This policy approach gives teachers more flexibility to expand their skill sets and move into high-demand areas, helping to expand the pipeline of well-prepared, effective educators.
Gov. Polis signed Rep. Meghan Lukens’ phone-free schools bill, HB 25-1135, which will require all local boards of education and charter schools to implement policies that restrict student use of cell phones and other electronic communication devices during school hours.
Research has shown that excessive phone use can hinder academic performance and disrupt classroom dynamics. Colorado joins a growing number of states taking a proactive approach to create a more focused, interactive learning environment in schools and classrooms.
As Colorado continues to prioritize student-centered policies, the state’s leaders are already looking ahead to the next legislative session. Expect to see further focus on career readiness, innovative school models and expanding access to high-quality education options in the years to come. With these new policies in place, Colorado is poised to strengthen its education system, create more equitable learning environments and better prepare students for success in college, careers and life.
