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Horizon High students help secure House passage of bill to name Colorado state mushroom
Summary
Students from Horizon High School worked with Representative Jackie Phillips and teacher Greg Sanchez to draft and advance a bill designating a state mushroom. The bill passed the Colorado House and students described the civic process at the board meeting.
A group of Horizon High School students who participated in a class civic project received board recognition after helping advance legislation to designate an official state mushroom.
Teacher Greg Sanchez told the board the project began as a civic-engagement exercise and grew into a multi-year effort with student involvement at every step. Representative Jackie Phillips (House District 31) sponsored the bill in the legislature; Phillips told the board the measure passed the House on second reading.
Seven Horizon students described working on the bill, testifying in committee and following floor action. Student Davian Bedford said the project amplified his voice after years of speech therapy; other students described overcoming stage fright and learning how the legislative process works.
Sanchez said a joint committee of amateur and professional mycologists advised on taxonomy and selection of the species and that the process drew on prior student-driven state-symbol campaigns in Colorado. The board and representative praised the students’ persistence, describing the project as a civics lesson that demonstrates how young people can participate in government.
Ending: The bill now proceeds to the Senate for further consideration; students and staff said they will continue to follow the process and invited board members to educational outings to see the mushroom in its habitat.
