16-04-2025
Colorado bill that would establish standards for Black history education passes House
DENVER (KDVR) — The Colorado House on Wednesday 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, said 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.
Colorado's K-12 education department will not comply with Trump Administration's DEI order
The bill passed the House 45-20 and will now move to the state Senate for consideration.
'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. We can help our students achieve a well-rounded education by developing and standardizing a comprehensive Black history curriculum in Colorado's public schools. 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.'
Rep. Regina English
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.'
National Park Service restores original Harriet Tubman, Underground Railroad webpage
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.
President Donald Trump has recently taken aim at institutions focused on Black history, including the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African American History and Culture, saying in an executive order that the museum as a whole is engaging in a 'concerted and widespread effort to rewrite our Nation's history.'
Critics see Trump attacks on the 'Black Smithsonian' as an effort to sanitize racism in US history
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.'
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
