[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6346116,"mediaKeyId","2247433-657551264c60fa1f1f4e9a30e6e9674a","parentId",2247433,"title","Senate committee advances bill to make school safety drills trauma-informed, amid budget concerns","audioSeconds",1880,"startMs",388000,"endMs",2268000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2247433-657551264c60fa1f1f4e9a30e6e9674a&start=388&end=2268","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2247433-657551264c60fa1f1f4e9a30e6e9674a/thumbnail_388000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6346116/Colorado/Senate-committee-advances-bill-to-make-school-safety-drills-trauma-informed-amid-budget-concerns","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346116-b8ad8a0210a1ae522064038a81d1ec39/orig.mp4?Expires=1776050180&Signature=h3JOoyebmS-oZe0O020C-faMKOOUPykrODmJlYLHhJxmeGXqWGc35h26tKQtQZ6kD3N0C~UFBL61nJVZ5mZyTOmLbxzX9n8DYRzuTAG6uwx4-FhK7nfcyJRBQ6lU92a1rMMWbqEyy1tuYecWpxk5aQwy1YuGIxzsOf3dnJsBpQQfOsRIk5XuyIFm4VfugawZGTawdhk-HXqv0ah2L7YcQg5AV5bIw5instsXH~e0rVNbSYamJ~X9F4NGKbA6Hz606xUyGcuwhWtYK6-JoG1eaUOMzMCtFlRsg43G6Uzo00BxSV3T8ZAqBlyfAN6~NHliKshoNFEjng6gi4DShI8gqQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Colorado State Legislature","date","2025-02-05T00:00:00Z","article","Senator Marchman, sponsor of Senate Bill 27, told the Senate Education Committee on Oct. 12 that the bill would make school safety drills less traumatic while keeping students prepared for emergencies. “This bill strikes a balance between maintaining preparedness and ensuring that our children feel safe, supported, and emotionally secure,” Senator Marchman said.

The measure would create a working group of educators, mental‑health professionals, law enforcement and parents to develop best practices for drills and trauma‑informed procedures in schools. Marchman said the goal is to preserve readiness without retraumatizing students, especially those with prior trauma, disabilities or anxiety.

The panel heard testimony from teachers, unions and health professionals urging approval. Callie Leba, executive director of AFT Colorado and a former classroom teacher, described classroom experience after active‑shooter drills and said educators need alternatives. “My kindergarten kids play lockdown drill during free time. They hide under the tables,” Leba said, adding that drills had left some children scared or physically upset. Liz Waddick, vice president of the Colorado Education Association, testified that trauma‑informed practices and advance notice to families can reduce emotional harm. “The trauma is often overlooked, immensely harmful to both our staff and our students,” she said. Mark Longshore, executive director of the Colorado Nurses Association, recommended integrating behavioral‑health experts so trainings do not retraumatize students or staff: “With trauma informed care, a nurse will endeavor to identify not just what is wrong with you, but also consider what happened to you,” he said.

Supporters said the bill would assemble expertise that some districts lack. Opponents, including Senator Lundin and others, pressed back on the bill’s cost and scope. Lundin noted an existing Colorado Department of Education “Trauma Informed Education” document and questioned adding statutory requirements and the bill’s $150,000 fiscal note. “My argument…is rooted in the hundred and $50,000 fiscal note that draws money away from the formula that should be going into classrooms,” Lundin said.

Marchman offered three amendments to shrink and rebalance the working group, add nonvoting members (including a student and representatives from the Office of School Safety), and permit the task force to accept gifts, grants and donations and to operate with a smaller quorum. The committee passed the amendments L002 and L001 with no objection and approved L003 (which lowered quorum and opened gifts/grants/donations) on a 4–3 vote after debate about long‑term funding and whether outside funding could become a future general‑fund obligation.

After amendment votes, the committee moved SB 27, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations on a 4–3 roll call. Recorded yes votes were Senators Kipp, Michaelson Janae, Marchman and the committee chair; recorded no votes were Senators Bridal, Lundin and Rich.

Next steps: SB 27 will be considered by the Senate Appropriations Committee, where the fiscal note and implementation details will be reviewed.

Votes at a glance

- Amendment L002 (adds nonvoting members): passed, no recorded objection.
- Amendment L001 (specifies voting membership of work group): passed, no recorded objection.
- Amendment L003 (reduces quorum to six voting members; allows gifts, grants, donations): passed 4–3.
- Final: Motion to send Senate Bill 27, as amended, to Appropriations: passed 4–3.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Education [Feb 05, 2025]","oneSentenceSummary","Senator Marchman, sponsor of Senate Bill 27, told the Senate Education Committee on Oct. 12 that the bill would make school safety drills less traumatic while keeping students prepared for emergencies.","taxTitle","Education, Standing Committees, Senate, Committees, Legislative, Colorado","taxId",43550,"location","Colorado","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6346106,"Senate Education Committee approves trustee nominations for Western Colorado University and community college system",5012,52000,5064000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2247433-657551264c60fa1f1f4e9a30e6e9674a&start=52&end=5064","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2247433-657551264c60fa1f1f4e9a30e6e9674a/thumbnail_52000.jpg","/articles/6346106/Colorado/Senate-Education-Committee-approves-trustee-nominations-for-Western-Colorado-University-and-community-college-system","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346106-100eef1e95f54d31cb4ee3060c242afb/orig.mp4?Expires=1776050180&Signature=oqnxfVKHXmALhtIxvTFddjEGJQp~gO9a8EUc2ZmLs4gqx5gP11k91nX5kbTvcgWzrpIHUchLoKsUyzhZ35~fPWo7E2gu4sfTZ87sih4sNtrOAS0n-OcbAxd7oMErfNAhUrQlqv9uka459OrDMFum~q5wOuUtFwZ-aIhPhSOt~0ajMB0wEbq6kSjKaDYXLU-AHQs8Kx3z4AZl3YOlrQq6-kvoJvq03G0yJaI3EZh1hpHDAJ-fpYm7GH-qA2XoB2ewHJJCQKDcz4Mn9V4AkrmZ48JHl04ZpmUgwx9dNCydFm8SwXZbk-0QSyu1sFhHYkLje19V7cezKlHlUHfRb0albQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Senate Education Committee on Oct. 12 unanimously forwarded multiple trustee nominations to the full Senate with favorable recommendations.

Western Colorado University: President Brad Baca introduced two nominees for the Western Colorado University Board of Trustees and praised their community connections. “Simply put, the connections into communities, into businesses, and into philanthropy that these 2 trustees bring to Western is immense,” Baca said. Reappointment nominee Elvina Vasquez introduced herself: “My name is Elvina Vasquez. I was born and raised in Colorado. I live in Jefferson County. I have served on the board for 1 term,” she said, adding that she supported the university through a leadership transition and wants to continue building ties to the Gunnison campus. Nominee Chelsea Carver described her background in rural Colorado and her current role: “I currently serve as the chief development officer and strategy officer at Mile High United Way,” Carver said, and said she hopes to connect Western with philanthropic and community partners.

A committee member moved to send both the appointment of Chelsea Carver and the reappointment of Elvina Vasquez to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation. The committee recorded unanimous support in roll call and placed the nominations on the consent calendar.

State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education: Landon Mascarenhas, chair of the Colorado Community College System board, introduced a pair of nominees submitted by the governor. Steven Trujillo, a Pueblo community leader, described his local advocacy and said he was honored to continue serving: “When I reflect back on the time that I've spent in our community college, both as a student and now as a community member… I really credit that to the higher education ecosystem in Colorado and specifically community colleges,” Trujillo told the committee. President Polis’s nominee Angelica Schroeder — who served 16 years on the State Board of Education and previously on a local school board — spoke virtually about following students into postsecondary settings and supporting the “2030 strategic plan.”

Senator Marchman moved both appointments to the full Senate with favorable recommendations; the committee’s roll call recorded unanimous approval. Both nominations were placed on the consent calendar.

Next steps: All four nominees will appear on the full Senate consent calendar for final confirmation; the committee’s recorded recommendations were unanimous.","The committee unanimously recommended approval of two Western Colorado University trustees (one reappointment, one new appointment) and unanimously advanced two appointments to the State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education to the full Senate consent calendar.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6346111,"Committee backs ‘Handle With Care’ program to route first‑responder alerts to schools via Safe2Tell",2113,2370000,4483000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2247433-657551264c60fa1f1f4e9a30e6e9674a&start=2370&end=4483","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2247433-657551264c60fa1f1f4e9a30e6e9674a/thumbnail_2370000.jpg","/articles/6346111/Colorado/Committee-backs-Handle-With-Care-program-to-route-firstresponder-alerts-to-schools-via-Safe2Tell","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346111-aa141463e0974bd8659cb043fed4719e/orig.mp4?Expires=1776050180&Signature=jzKQQ14667TqzQ-9eZ4PcUUWdcd1~~yUUFKkU3K9ghnUxmkzd3-pfYEeDidR0VRfYMfiN1vRx~D-wzp9pY7Kg6k~Ptzp3O4iKj2XEa~mcMGGArrNQcrd0e2Xzg1LFblZjfKRk4ITFvLzHV1EjfF5cLHq2yCyTgbtNRh-CW4pBiZQviRJMEZXkJ4DqVbo5c1uwJzlBjdoZRZujyMO0aZzGFktcURoBV6fVYE-E8eQ0EctHe3TqyIfiedYdc9~kkR-aTEwzvOwMNppTRgbtDX1YZdQEkz4Wuo4nZnNzENuQN8TsOePn9D6zdOZD2QqNb03DAY~wkbVWjkxHV8Xqk6~vw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senators Marchman and Frizzell, sponsors of Senate Bill 64, told the Senate Education Committee the bill would expand Colorado’s Safe2Tell system to deliver a short “Handle With Care” notice to a child’s school when law enforcement, EMS or firefighters respond to an incident where a child is present. “A handle with care notification is generated when law enforcement, EMS, and or the fire department respond to an incident where children are present,” Senator Marchman said. “The only info provided in a handle care notification is the student's name, age, date of birth, school, and the words ‘Handle with Care.’”

Supporters said the limited notice preserves student privacy while flagging that a child may need additional compassion, flexibility or counseling at school. Anastasia Cole of the Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault called the approach “trauma informed” and said a brief, confidential alert helps educators provide support without forcing children to recount traumatic events. “This trauma informed policy allows educators to respond to students who are struggling with empathy, compassion, and flexibility without compromising their privacy,” Cole said.

Stakeholders described pilot projects in several districts, including Douglas County, Summit County and Lewis‑Palmer. Lieutenant Robert Rotherham of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office described the local process: “When we report that information, it goes directly to the dispatch center, which is manned 24 hours a day for the school district. That allows them to access the infinite campus database, confirm what school the kid goes to, and send out that email notification to the school district.” He said the elective program replaced informal phone calls that officers or victim advocates had sometimes used to warn a school that a student had experienced a distressing event.

Safe2Tell director Stacy Jenkins said Safe2Tell is already used by every school in Colorado and that the program triages reports; she described Handle With Care as a rapid, targeted follow‑up: “Handle with Care provides that follow‑up. When the information comes from law enforcement to Safe2Tell and then is sent to the school, school knows to handle with care, to keep an eye on that student,” Jenkins said.

The committee considered and adopted amendment L003, which phases the rollout (starting with rural districts of 1,000 pupils or fewer the first year, expanding to small districts the second year and statewide by year three) and clarifies that participation is permissive for schools and law enforcement. Sponsors said the phased approach was designed to allow Safe2Tell and local partners to scale staffing and technical support. Opponents raised questions about potential program dilution if very routine incidents were routed broadly; sponsors said triage and tailoring of recipients would limit noise.

The committee voted 5–2 to send SB 64, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. Recorded no votes were Senators Bridal and Lundeen; yes votes were Senators Kipp, Michaelson Janae, Rich, Archman and the chair.

Next steps: The bill moves to Appropriations for fiscal review and to consider the phased implementation plan and any additional resources requested by the Department of Public Safety and Safe2Tell.

","Senate Bill 64 would link first‑responder incidents to school staff through the Safe2Tell system so educators can give trauma‑informed support to children after police, fire or EMS responses. Committee adopted a phased rollout amendment and sent the bill to Appropriations 5–2.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate committee advances bill to make school safety drills trauma-informed, amid budget concerns

Senate Education Committee approves trustee nominations for Western Colorado University and community college system

Committee backs ‘Handle With Care’ program to route first‑responder alerts to schools via Safe2Tell