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Environmental Literacy Legislation in CO

by CAEE last modified 01-24-2010 22:34

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Join CAEE's Communications and Outreach Committee to help build broad support for the profession.

A Brief Overview of the Legislation:

Colorado legislation for EE will prepare citizens, young and old to understand and address the major environmental, social and economic challenges facing the state by focusing on a coordinated strategy to improve environmental literacy.

The legislation was introduced in January of 2010.  CAEE and the Coalition are supporting the following components of the legislation:

· Creation and implementation of a statewide environmental literacy plan to ensure a workforce and citizenry prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st century

· Creation and management of a fund to support the development and implementation of the environmental literacy plan

· Restoration of and increase in outdoor environmental education field experiences available as part of the formal school curriculum

· Establishment and administration of an environmental education grant fund to promote and provide access to EE programs for schools and communities

· Provide needed resources to improve access to environmental education for underserved populations in Colorado

· Build and maintain a clearinghouse of environmental education information for the state


Let your colleagues and friends know about this critical legislation.

Download the legislation summary (Coming Soon!)


The Environmental Literacy Plan will be a framework to:

  • Create opportunities for enhanced and ongoing professional development of teachers and environmental educators,
  • Improve state-wide access to existing environmental education materials and programs,
  • Serve minority populations with culturally appropriate environmental education programs,
  • Restore and increase field experiences as part of the formal school curriculum,
  • Create or support community programs that contribute to healthy lifestyles through outdoor activity,
  • Provide guidance to the State Board of Education to establish guidelines to incorporate environmental education into Colorado’s curriculum-including opportunities to connect students to nature.


Thank you to our Legislative Sponsor

Representative Christine Scanlan (D-District 16) is sponsoring legislation to support environmental literacy in Colorado in the 2010 legislative session. 

Bill Number: House Bill 10-1131 Read the Full Legislation.

Thank you Representative Scanlan!


What you can do:

Get your organization to sign on in support of this legislation Click here to add your organization to the list.  To find out more, email us.  Use a list of suggestions from our Get Active page to aid in contacting your local congressional leaders.


Supporting Organizations
Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education
National Wildlife Federation