Melissa York Commissioner | Colorado Department of Education
At its September meeting, the Colorado State Board of Education addressed several key topics, including a charter school application appeal from Montrose County.
On June 25, the Montrose County School District’s Board of Education denied an application from Montrose Classical Academy to open a charter school. The district cited concerns about the proposed school's financial viability, academic programming, governance structure, and readiness to operate as a public school. The academy appealed this decision to the state board.
The State Board voted 8-1 on Thursday to send the application back to the local board for reconsideration. According to the board, “Montrose County School District’s decision to reject the application was not in the best interest of the students, the school, or the community.” The local board must now review and make a new decision regarding the application. If it is again denied, another appeal can be made at the state level.
In other business, the State Board approved Uncompahgre BOCES’ conditional reauthorization as an agency for alternative teacher preparation in several endorsement areas. The program must meet additional requirements by September 2026 for full authorization.
The board also moved forward with two rulemaking processes related to educator licensing. One will update rules under the Educator Licensing Act by streamlining licensure procedures and aligning them with recent legislative changes. This includes revising endorsement requirements and creating a pathway for apprenticeship graduates as well as allowing emergency authorizations. Another rulemaking notice aims to consolidate separate license endorsement rules into one set of standards and proposes updates for gifted education endorsements. Both hearings are scheduled for November.
Six students who participated in this year’s U.S. Congressional Art Competition were recognized by the board:
- Celeste Escobar from Thomas Jefferson High School (Denver Public Schools)
- Michelle He from Fairview High School (Boulder Valley School District)
- Katherine Lopez from Cheyenne Mountain High School (Cheyenne Mountain School District)
- Diana Salas from Rangeview High School (Aurora Public Schools)
- Eliana Ginther from Arvada High School (Jeffco Public Schools)
- Olivia Lewis from Horizon High School (Adams 12 Five Star School District)
Additionally, several updates were made to school finance rules—such as adding language about Census block data collection and clarifying proof of residency—and support was given for special education funding adjustments.
The board approved new rulemaking on administering Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Start-up funding established by Senate Bill 25-315. This fund will help districts develop or expand programs connecting high school students with college or career pathways; proposed rules detail eligibility criteria and allowable uses like course materials or professional development.
An update was also provided on preliminary accountability frameworks for schools and districts; final reports will be published in December after completion of optional requests for reconsideration.
“The Colorado Department of Education’s vision is to create equitable educational environments where all students and staff in Colorado thrive,” according to CDE leadership. “Our role is to improve student outcomes and ensure students and families across Colorado have access to high-quality schools by serving, guiding, and elevating our state’s 178 school districts and BOCES.”
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