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

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.