State elected officials send letter backing board after removal of 19 books and ensuing lawsuit

A state elected official read a letter of support to the Elizabeth School District Board of Education on Jan. 13 that was signed by multiple elected officials and praised the district’s decision to remove 19 books from school library collections following a public review.

The official, identified in the meeting as the state representative for House District 56 (name not specified in the transcript), read the letter dated Jan. 21. The letter said the district had conducted a “transparent and extensive gathering of community input” and described the decision to remove the books — which the letter characterized as containing “explicit and other adult themes inappropriate for children” — as “a tremendous example of attentive and responsive local governance.”

The letter acknowledged that the district currently faces a lawsuit and called that legal action an overreach by outside parties. It said, in part, “Claims of banning materials are overstated and fail to recognize your legal and moral responsibility to safeguard the learning environments of the children in your care.” The letter was signed by Congresswoman Lauren Boebert (U.S. House, CO-4), Colorado Senator Rod Pelton (Senate District 35), Christy Burton Brown (Colorado State Board of Education representative for the area) and the state representative who read the letter.

Board members accepted the reading and offered brief thanks on the record. The transcript records the board’s gratitude but does not record further action taken at the meeting related to the lawsuit or the removed materials.

Ending

Board members reiterated appreciation for the letter. The transcript does not record any new policy action or legal response by the board at this meeting.