Holocaust Memorial

2026 Regular Session

The resolution urges schools and higher education to strengthen anti-bias, bullying prevention, and Holocaust/genocide education to prevent antisemitism and future atrocities.

Signed by the Speaker of the House

1) Purpose and intent

The resolution affirms the importance of remembering the Holocaust and recognizing its lessons to prevent repetition of atrocities.

It emphasizes the role of words in shaping prejudice, anti-bias efforts, and Holocaust/genocide education as central to reducing antisemitism and bias.

The measure requests recognition and advocacy for anti-bias, bullying prevention, and Holocaust/genocide education across schools and higher education institutions in Colorado.

2) Key provisions and changes

Acknowledges the Holocaust as the state-sponsored persecution and mass murder of Jews and others by the Nazi regime between 1933 and 1945.

Recalls historical context, the scale of the devastation (6 million Jews, including 1.5 million children; 5 million others), and the role of those who helped survivors.

Cites the ongoing relevance of antisemitism, noting recent increases in incidents (per ADL data cited in the resolution) and the need for proactive prevention.

Commits to:

Remembering Holocaust survivors and the broader victims.
Promoting antibias, bullying prevention, and Holocaust/genocide education programs in school districts and universities to prevent antisemitic incidents, including those targeting students based on perceived support for Israel.
Ensuring Coloradans understand the power of words, remember past injustices, and commit to preventing future atrocities.

Expressions of gratitude to rescuers (Righteous Among the Nations) and to Allied forces for liberating camps.

Encourages implementation and support of relevant education initiatives already established (e.g., reference to House Bill 20-1336 requiring Holocaust/genocide studies as a high school graduation requirement, although the bill itself is a separate statute).

3) Who/what is affected

Public schools and school districts in Colorado, and higher education institutions, through emphasis on Holocaust and genocide education and antibias/bullying prevention.

Students, educators, administrators, and community members in Colorado who participate in or benefit from education programs related to Holocaust remembrance and antisemitism prevention.

Organizations and institutions listed for outreach and partnership in the resolution (e.g., JEWISHcolorado, Anti-Defamation League, U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, Colorado Holocaust Educators, etc.), which serve as recipients of a copy of the resolution.

4) Procedural and timeline aspects

The resolution is a ceremonial/advocacy measure, not a statute creating new mandatory requirements beyond existing educational standards.

The bill was introduced in April 2026 and progressed through the General Assembly, with final passage and signatures occurring in mid-April 2026.

It became an official joint resolution once signed by both the House and Senate (the action history shows rapid concurrent passage and formal signing by the Speaker, President of the Senate, and the Governor/authorities on April 15–16, 2026).

5) Notable context and framing

The text emphasizes that the Holocaust’s lessons extend beyond history to current concerns about antisemitism and bias.

It frames education and remembrance as shared societal responsibilities to protect vulnerable communities and promote understanding.

If you’d like, I can extract specific quotes from the resolution or provide a side-by-side comparison with the related education statute (HB 20-1336) referenced in the text.

Bill