Colorado lawmakers are moving forward with two bills designed to protect students with disabilities and minorities from discrimination after the federal government reduced its ability to enforce civil rights laws in schools.
State Representatives Jacque Phillips and Jennifer Bacon introduced the proposals this week to create new pathways for families to report discrimination when their children face harassment or unequal treatment at school.
The bills come in response to the Trump administration's cuts to the federal Office of Civil Rights, which has drastically reduced staffing and shifted focus away from investigating complaints involving students of color, minorities, and those with disabilities.
State Bills Address Gap in Federal Protection
Phillips' bill would give the Colorado Department of Education the power to investigate and resolve complaints from parents whose children are not receiving required accommodations under Section 504 plans, according to CPR.
These agreements outline what services students with disabilities need, such as extra time on tests or elevator access to classrooms.
Currently, only the federal Office of Civil Rights handles these complaints, but federal staff cuts have slowed responses significantly. Parents say they file complaints and never hear back about their cases.
Bacon's bill takes a broader approach by defining what counts as discrimination in schools and creating a clear process for parents to file complaints about discriminatory practices, bullying, and unequal access to programs.
Under her proposal, the Colorado Civil Rights Division would investigate these cases and report to lawmakers on how many complaints it receives and the outcomes. Parents would have 180 days to file a complaint instead of the current 60 days, giving families more time to report problems.
Support from Advocates and Budget Concerns Ahead
State Senator Chris Kolker is expected to co-sponsor both bills. The legislation represents about a year of work by the lawmakers after the Trump administration eliminated seven of the federal Office of Civil Rights' twelve offices, Denver7 reported.
The Denver office, which now covers Colorado along with surrounding states, went from 36 employees to 24 staff members while its caseload jumped from 628 cases to nearly 2,800. The federal office has also shifted direction to focus on diversity programs rather than investigating discrimination complaints.
Civil rights groups, including Disability Law Colorado and the Anti-Defamation League Mountain States, have announced support for both bills. Advocates say the measures would protect families who feel abandoned by federal agencies and give students a faster path to getting the help they need.
The bills may face budget challenges, however. Colorado currently faces an $850 million budget deficit, and implementing these programs could require additional funding for state agencies, as per Chalkbeat.
