12-02-2025
‘Free societies don't ban books': State bill aims to protect public school libraries from book bans
DENVER (KDVR) — A measure designed to place guards on public school library content decisions moved out of the Colorado Senate Education Committee on Monday.
Called the 'Freedom to Read' bill by supporters, the 'Library Resource Decision Standards for Public Schools' bill would require local school boards to establish written policies on their acquisition, use and removal of library resources.
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Assistant Majority Leader Lisa Cutter, a Democrat representing Jefferson County, and Senate President Pro Tempore Dafna Michaelson Jenet, a Democrat representing Commerce City, are the main sponsors of the bill. The pair said the bill would ensure that any removal or restriction of items in a school library would follow a clear, fair and consistent process.
Without such a policy, the school board or charter school institute would not be able to remove library resources from its collection.
'Free societies don't ban books,' said Cutter in a release emailed Monday. 'This bill will ensure that the next generation of Coloradans has the opportunity to access a broad spectrum of literature, including works that might challenge preconceived notions or present uncomfortable truths.'
Cutter said providing these works empowers Colorado children to 'become well-informed, open-minded individuals who can contribute meaningfully to our democracy.'
'As diverse identities are being erased and marginalized throughout the country, it has never been more important to protect the freedom to read,' Cutter said.
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Michaelson Jenet noted that she is an author and owns a publishing company, and said that bolsters her commitment to telling stories that 'would not otherwise be told.'
'These are the stories that end up on banned book lists,' Michaelson Jenet said in an email statement. 'While other states enact laws to criminalize educators and restrict access to books, this bill sends a strong message that Colorado values our students' freedom to access diverse voices and opinions.'
The bill's sponsors said that as currently written, the bill would prevent discriminatory policies and also protect librarians from retaliation.
The bill now heads to the Senate floor and is scheduled to be reviewed during Senate Floor Work on Thursday.
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