Preserving Colorado’s Comprehensive Sexual Health Education Grant Program
The purpose of this sign-on statement is to publicly demonstrate the widespread support that exists in Colorado for preserving access to vital sexual health education programs. By gathering endorsements from organizations working across public health, education, child development, youth advocacy, and sexual and reproductive health, this statement highlights Colorado’s commitment and belief in the importance of providing sex education that is medically accurate, age appropriate, culturally responsive, trauma informed, and inclusive to students. Add your organization’s support through the link below and use this Advocacy Toolkit to contact your legislators.
Sign-on Statement:
Dear Members of the Joint Budget Committee,
We, the undersigned organizations, represent public health, education, youth advocacy, and healthcare leaders across Colorado. We respectfully urge the Joint Budget Committee to preserve funding for the Comprehensive Human Sexuality Education (CHSE) Grant Program, proposed for elimination in the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s FY 2026–27 budget. This program is a critical investment in the health, safety, and academic success of young people statewide, particularly in communities with limited access to health education resources.
Launched during Governor Polis’s first term, the CHSE Grant Program reflects Colorado’s commitment to providing medically accurate, age-appropriate, inclusive, and culturally responsive health education for all students. Eliminating this funding would dismantle the state’s comprehensive sex education infrastructure and reverse years of progress made by schools and communities. Continued investment in CHSE is also fiscally responsible: research shows that comprehensive sex education reduces public expenditures related to unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, and other health costs. One study found that every dollar invested saves $2.65 in medical and social costs—yielding $1.65 million in net savings for every $1 million invested while improving youth outcomes.
Access to comprehensive sex education improves academic success; prevents sexual abuse, dating violence, and bullying; helps young people build healthier relationships; delays sexual debut while increasing safer sex practices; and strengthens media literacy so students can better navigate misinformation. These outcomes create safer, more supportive learning environments for all students.
In Colorado, the CHSE Grant Program serves as a vital lifeline for LGBTQ+ youth by creating affirming learning environments for students who have historically faced stigma and exclusion. Cutting or suspending this funding, even temporarily, would undo progress and send a harmful message to students who have only recently begun to feel safe and supported in their schools
Schools receiving CHSE funding consistently report improved school climate and student safety, including less bullying, lower rates of dating violence and sexual violence victimization, fewer unwanted sexual comments, and reduced substance misuse.
From 2023–2024, CHSE grants supported 79 schools and 17 grantee organizations across the state, with many awards directed to rural communities. The program intentionally reduces geographic inequities in access to health education. Without this funding, many rural and mountain districts will be unable to continue providing comprehensive sex education, widening disparities between well-resourced districts and underserved communities.
As federal support for sex education becomes increasingly uncertain and private philanthropic funding declines, state leadership matters more than ever. Colorado can continue leading with evidence-based, student-centered policy by maintaining this proven program rather than retreating from it.
We recognize the difficult budget decisions before the Joint Budget Committee and appreciate your leadership during this process. Eliminating this relatively small investment would have lasting consequences for student health, educational equity, and state costs. We respectfully urge you to restore funding for the CHSE Grant Program and preserve this essential support for Colorado’s young people.
Thank you for your consideration and for your service to the people of Colorado.
Sincerely,
Trailhead Institute and the Undersigned Organizations