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Colorado House adopts resolution marking Holocaust Remembrance, urges education and anti-bias programs
Summary
The Colorado House of Representatives adopted Senate Joint Resolution 22 calling for Holocaust remembrance, promoting anti-bias and genocide education, and noting a recent rise in antisemitic incidents; the measure passed 63-0 with two excused.
The Colorado House of Representatives on Thursday adopted Senate Joint Resolution 22, a concurrent resolution remembering the Holocaust, promoting anti-bias and bullying-prevention programs, and urging Holocaust and genocide education in schools. The measure passed on a recorded vote, 63-0, with two members excused.
The resolution, sponsored in the House by Representative Woodrow, cites the 6,000,000 Jews murdered by Nazi Germany and its collaborators and notes an increase in antisemitic incidents in 2024 reported by the Anti-Defamation League. ‘‘Last night and today marks Yom HaShoah, or Holocaust Remembrance Day, when we honor the 6,000,000 Jewish lives extinguished by Nazi Germany and its allies,’’ Representative Woodrow said during floor remarks, and asked members to reflect on how such atrocities could occur.
The resolution also refers to state law enacted in 2020 requiring Holocaust and genocide studies as a condition of high school graduation. ‘‘On 07/08/2020, Governor Polis signed into law House Bill 1336 requiring the satisfactory completion of a course that includes Holocaust and genocide studies as a condition of high school graduation in public schools,’’ the resolution text notes.
Representative Yaron Weinberg shared family testimony during debate. ‘‘My family was directly impacted by the Holocaust,’’ Representative Weinberg said, describing relatives who were killed and a grandmother who survived Auschwitz. He added, ‘‘Never again shall we march like sheep to the slaughter. Never again shall we sit and take orders.’’
The resolution’s text echoes recent national and state data cited on the House floor. It cites the Anti-Defamation League’s 2024 audit reporting 9,354 incidents of antisemitic harassment, vandalism and assault nationally, and states that Colorado reported 279 incidents in 2024 — described in the resolution as the highest level recorded in more than 40 years and a 41% increase since February 2023.
After the reading and floor remarks, the House clerk opened the voting machine. Representative Luck recorded a vote of yes; the roll showed 63 yes, 0 no and 2 excused, and the speaker declared the resolution adopted.
The resolution directs attention to remembrance, education and anti-bias efforts — referencing the state law on Holocaust and genocide studies — but does not create new funding or program mandates. No further committee referrals or implementation steps were specified on the floor. The House recessed for committee work after the vote and scheduled a call of the House when committees adjourned.
