Most parents have no idea how seriously Colorado treats bullying. Seriously. In 2026, the state has some of the strongest anti-bullying laws in the country. The penalties can hit hard for both schools and individuals. Let’s break down exactly what you need to know.
Colorado doesn’t mess around when it comes to protecting students. The state has passed several major laws over the years. Each one adds more protection for kids who face bullying at school or online.
What Is Bullying Under Colorado Law?
Colorado defines bullying in a specific way. It’s not just kids being mean to each other.
Under state law, bullying means any written or verbal expression. It also includes physical or electronic acts or gestures. These actions are intended to coerce, intimidate, or cause harm to any student. The harm can be physical, mental, or emotional.
Here’s what makes Colorado’s law different. The state prohibits bullying against any student for any reason. This includes bullying based on academic performance. It covers race, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, ancestry, or disability.
And get this. In 2024, Colorado added something new. The state now specifically prohibits bullying based on a student’s weight, height, or body size. This happened through HB 24-1285. Research shows kids who are overweight face more bullying. Colorado decided to do something about it.
Pretty straightforward, right?
The Major Laws You Should Know About
Colorado has passed three big laws on bullying. Each one matters.
Ashawnty’s Law (2018)
This law changed everything. It’s named after a young student who faced terrible bullying.
Ashawnty’s Law requires the Colorado Department of Education to create a model policy. Every school district must follow this model when making their own bullying policies. The state updates this model every three years using the latest research.
Schools can’t just ignore this. They must adopt policies that meet the state’s minimum standards.
Jack and Cait’s Law (2021)
This law made things even stronger. It requires the state to include parents in the process.
When Colorado updates its model bullying policy, parents of bullied students must participate. Their voices matter. They know what works and what doesn’t.
The law also requires schools to clearly explain the difference between a conflict and bullying. There’s also a difference between harassment and bullying. Schools must make this crystal clear.
And here’s the kicker. Schools must address cyberbullying during online instruction. This can happen on or off school property. Online classes opened new doors for bullies. Jack and Cait’s Law closed them.
Kiana Arellano’s Law (2015)
Okay, this one’s important. This law made cyberbullying a crime.
Before 2015, police couldn’t do much about online bullying. A teenager named Kiana Arellano attempted suicide after classmates cyberbullied her on Facebook. The legislature decided enough was enough.
Now, harassing someone online is a criminal offense. We’ll talk more about the penalties in a minute.
What Schools Must Do
Colorado law requires specific actions from schools. Every single school district and charter school must do these things.
Create a Safe School Plan
Schools must adopt a comprehensive safe school plan. This plan must include a conduct and discipline code. The code must have a specific policy about bullying prevention and education.
Not sure what counts as a good policy? Schools must follow the approaches in the state’s model policy. They can’t just make something up and call it a day.
Report Bullying Incidents
Schools have to track bullying. Every year, principals must submit written reports. These reports go to their school board. The reports explain the learning environment and any discipline issues.
The school board compiles reports from every school. Then they send everything to the Colorado Department of Education.
What gets reported? The number of conduct violations. The number of bullying incidents. Information about prevention programs. Schools can’t hide the numbers.
Starting in 2025, there are new requirements too. Schools must report harassment and discrimination incidents. They track how many formal reports they receive. They also track how long investigations take.
Train Employees
Here’s something new. Starting in the 2025-26 school year, all public school employees must receive training. This training covers discrimination, harassment, and bullying.
Every employee must complete the training by December 31, 2025. New employees get trained when they’re hired. Then they need refresher training every three years.
Criminal Penalties for Cyberbullying
Let’s talk about what happens when bullying moves online. Colorado treats this as a criminal matter.
Basic Cyberbullying Charges
Cyberbullying is usually a class 2 misdemeanor. The penalties include up to 120 days in jail. You can also face fines up to $750.
Think of it like a serious traffic violation, but worse. Much worse.
What counts as cyberbullying? Initiating communication with intent to harass, annoy, or alarm another person. This includes texts, instant messages, social media posts, or any electronic medium. Making obscene or threatening comments online is a crime. Sending threatening messages is a crime.
Wondering if this applies to you? If you’re using your phone, computer, or social media to harass someone, yes. It applies.
Enhanced Penalties
Sometimes the penalties get much more severe. Cyberbullying becomes a class 1 misdemeanor under certain conditions.
What makes it worse? If you intended to intimidate or harass someone because of their race, color, religion, ancestry, or national origin. Then you face enhanced charges.
Class 1 misdemeanor penalties include up to 364 days in jail. Fines can reach $1,000. That’s a year of your life behind bars.
Honestly, this is the part most people miss. Bias-motivated cyberbullying gets treated much more seriously.
Adults Can Be Charged Too
Hold on, this part is important. Cyberbullying laws don’t just apply to kids.
Adults can face charges for online harassment. Working professionals can get charged. Even parents can face criminal penalties if they engage in cyberbullying behavior.
The law doesn’t care if you’re 15 or 50. Harassment is harassment.
What Bullying Looks Like
Colorado recognizes three main types of bullying. Understanding these helps you spot problems early.
Physical Bullying
This is the obvious one. Physical bullying involves bodily harm through direct contact. Hitting, kicking, spitting, or pushing all count.
But it’s not just schoolyard fights. Damaging someone’s property is physical bullying too. Stealing someone’s backpack. Breaking their phone. These actions can be bullying.
Verbal Bullying
Verbal bullying uses words as weapons. Name-calling. Threatening someone. Spreading rumors. Making fun of someone repeatedly.
This type happens in person and online. A mean comment on Instagram is verbal bullying. So is calling someone names in the hallway.
Relational Bullying
This one’s sneaky. Relational bullying damages someone’s relationships or reputation.
Excluding someone from a group on purpose. Telling others not to be friends with someone. Spreading rumors to damage their social standing. Making someone feel isolated and alone.
Many people don’t realize this counts as bullying. But it can be just as harmful as physical violence.
Off-Campus Bullying Counts
Here’s something that surprises people. Colorado’s laws cover off-campus conduct.
Schools can take action for bullying that happens outside school grounds. If a student bullies someone at the mall, the school can discipline them. If they cyberbully from home, same thing.
The law recognizes that bullying doesn’t stop when the school bell rings. A text sent at 10 PM on Saturday can have consequences on Monday morning.
Bullying vs. Harassment vs. Conflict
Wait, it gets more specific. Colorado law requires schools to explain the differences between these terms.
A conflict is a disagreement between people of similar power. Two students arguing about who gets to use the basketball court. That’s a conflict, not bullying.
Bullying involves a power imbalance. One person or group has more power. They use that power to hurt someone else repeatedly.
Harassment is different again. Federal laws protect certain characteristics. Race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age. When someone targets these characteristics, it’s harassment. Schools must follow specific federal procedures for harassment complaints.
Sound complicated? It’s actually not. The key is the pattern of behavior and the intent to harm.
How to Report Bullying
You’re not alone if this confuses you. Every school has its own reporting process, but there are common steps.
For Parents and Students
Report bullying incidents to school officials immediately. Don’t wait. Contact the principal, counselor, or designated bullying prevention team member.
Put it in writing. Many schools have official reporting forms. Use them. Document what happened, when it happened, and who witnessed it.
Keep copies of everything. Text messages, screenshots, emails. This evidence matters during investigations.
What Schools Do Next
Schools must investigate bullying reports. They can’t just ignore them.
The investigation should happen quickly. Schools gather evidence. They interview witnesses. They talk to everyone involved.
Then they make findings. Did bullying occur or not? If yes, they must take appropriate action.
Schools must keep records of reports, investigations, and actions taken. These records follow specific retention requirements.
Student Surveys and Prevention
Colorado encourages schools to survey students about bullying. These surveys measure the severity of the problem.
Smart schools use this data strategically. They find out where bullying happens most. Maybe it’s the hallways between second and third period. Maybe it’s on the bus.
Then they put resources there. Extra supervision. Cameras. Programs targeting that specific time or place.
This approach works. Research backs it up. Schools that use data-driven approaches reduce bullying more effectively.
Grant Programs Available
Colorado funds bullying prevention. The state takes this seriously enough to put money behind it.
The School Bullying Prevention and Education Grant Program distributes nearly $2 million each year. Schools can apply for these grants. The money helps them implement evidence-based prevention programs.
Where does the funding come from? The Marijuana Tax Cash Fund. In 2015, voters approved Proposition BB. This allows marijuana tax money to fund bullying prevention.
Pretty innovative solution, right?
Restorative Justice Approaches
Colorado encourages schools to use restorative justice. This is different from just punishing students.
Restorative justice focuses on repairing harm. The bully takes responsibility. They understand how their actions hurt others. They work to make things right.
Research shows this approach can work better than suspension alone. Students learn from their mistakes. They develop empathy. They’re less likely to bully again.
Schools aren’t required to use restorative justice. But the law encourages it as an option.
Special Protections for Certain Students
Some students get extra protection under federal law. Schools that receive federal funding must follow these rules.
Students can’t be bullied because of their race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age. When bullying targets these characteristics, it becomes a civil rights violation.
Federal law requires specific procedures for these cases. Title IX covers sex-based harassment. The Americans with Disabilities Act protects students with disabilities. Section 504 provides additional protections.
Schools must investigate these cases separately. They follow different procedures than regular bullying cases.
What Parents Can Do
Wondering if there’s more you can do? Absolutely.
Talk to your kids about bullying. Have honest conversations. Ask if they’ve seen bullying at school. Ask if they’ve experienced it themselves.
Teach them the difference between tattling and reporting. Reporting helps keep someone safe. That’s always okay.
Know your school’s policy. Every district publishes their bullying prevention policy. Read it. Understand the reporting process before you need it.
Stay involved. Join parent advisory committees if available. Attend school board meetings. Your voice matters in shaping these policies.
Recent Changes for 2025-2026
The laws keep evolving. Several things changed recently that you should know about.
The 2025 Model Bullying Prevention and Education Policy was just published. This updated version includes the latest research. Schools must align their policies with this new model.
The weight-based bullying protection from 2024 is now in full effect. Schools must specifically address bullying based on body size.
The employee training requirement kicked in for the 2025-26 school year. Every school employee should complete training by December 31, 2025.
Hold on, there’s one more thing. Schools now report harassment and discrimination data separately. This started in July 2025.
When to Contact Law Enforcement
Some situations require calling the police. Don’t hesitate when necessary.
Call police if there are threats of violence. Serious physical assaults. Sexual assault or harassment. Stalking behaviors that create credible fear.
Cyberstalking is more serious than cyberbullying. If someone makes repeated credible threats online, that’s a felony. Regular stalking penalties include 2 to 6 years in prison. Fines can reach $100,000.
Not sure whether to call? Err on the side of caution. Let law enforcement make the determination.
Getting Professional Help
Bullying can cause serious trauma. Your child might need professional support.
Watch for warning signs. Changes in behavior. Not wanting to go to school. Declining grades. Depression or anxiety. Sleep problems.
Mental health professionals can help. School counselors provide initial support. Licensed therapists offer longer-term treatment.
Many schools now have behavioral health care professionals on staff. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can adults be charged with cyberbullying in Colorado?
Yes, absolutely. Colorado’s harassment laws apply to everyone, not just students. Adults can face class 2 misdemeanor charges with up to 120 days in jail and $750 in fines. Enhanced penalties apply for bias-motivated harassment.
What’s the difference between cyberbullying and cyberstalking?
Cyberbullying is a misdemeanor involving harassing communication online. Cyberstalking is a felony involving repeated credible threats that make someone fear for their safety. Cyberstalking carries much harsher penalties, including 2 to 6 years in prison.
Do schools have to investigate every bullying report?
Yes. Colorado law requires schools to investigate bullying complaints. Schools must document their investigations and findings. They must take appropriate action when bullying is confirmed.
Can my child be disciplined for bullying that happens outside school?
Yes. Colorado law specifically allows schools to address off-campus bullying. If the behavior affects the school environment or other students, schools can take disciplinary action.
What if the school won’t help with my bullying complaint?
Document everything in writing. Follow up with the district superintendent. File a formal complaint with the Colorado Department of Education. Consider consulting with an education attorney if the school fails to act appropriately.
Final Thoughts
Colorado’s bullying laws protect students more than ever before. The state has built strong protections through multiple laws passed over the years.
Schools must follow specific policies. They can’t ignore bullying. Criminal penalties exist for serious cases.
Now you know the basics. Stay informed, stay involved, and don’t be afraid to speak up. Your child’s safety depends on it.
If you see bullying, report it. If your child faces bullying, document it. The law is on your side.
References
- Colorado Revised Statutes §22-2-144 (Ashawnty’s Law) – https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb18-1385
- Colorado Department of Education – 2025 Bullying Prevention and Education Best Practices and Model Policy – https://www.cde.state.co.us/mtss/2025bullyingpreventionmodelpolicy
- Colorado Revised Statutes §18-9-111 (Kiana Arellano’s Law) – Harassment statute including cyberbullying provisions
- HB 21-1221 (Jack and Cait’s Law) – https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb21-1221
- HB 24-1285 – Student Weight-Based Bullying Prevention – https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb24-1285
- StopBullying.gov – Colorado Anti-Bullying Laws & Policies – https://www.stopbullying.gov/resources/laws/colorado
- Colorado Department of Education – Bullying Prevention and Education Resources – https://ed.cde.state.co.us/mtss/bullying
