This story was originally published in the Vail Daily here.

As chair of the House Education Committee and your representative for House District 26, I am excited to share updates on legislation that will directly impact our students, teachers, and schools. This year, I am championing several education bills that address key priorities: improving classroom learning environments, enhancing school safety, maximizing school resources, and preparing students for future careers. Each of these initiatives responds to specific needs I have heard from educators, parents, and students across Eagle, Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt counties.

Addressing the cell phone challenge

In my years as a teacher, I experienced firsthand how technology, particularly cell phones, can impact student learning. After hearing from countless educators and parents across Eagle, Moffat, Rio Blanco, and Routt counties, they consistently identified cell phones as one of their most significant challenges in the classroom.

Studies increasingly show these devices can significantly impact both academic performance and mental health. In response, I have introduced HB25-1135, which empowers school districts to develop policies regarding cell phones during school hours.

Unlike approaches that dictate specific rules from the state level, this legislation recognizes that each school district may have different needs. This bipartisan bill, strongly supported by Colorado Attorney General Phil Wieser, acknowledges local expertise while providing a framework to help students focus on learning and meaningful connections. 

Innovative solutions for school resources

I am very excited about HB25-1006, which has already passed the House with bipartisan support and moved on to the Senate. This bill removes the current 10-year restriction on school districts leasing unused land for affordable housing, solar fields, and energy storage systems.

The idea came directly from Eagle County School District, which had a specific parcel of land that was largely unusable and draining resources. Now, they will be able to lease that land for solar energy production — generating revenue while contributing to our clean energy goals. This is precisely the kind of creative, practical solution our Western Slope communities need.

Improving education accountability

By refining how we measure student success and providing the right support, we can create an education system that works better for students, educators, and schools. This is why I am proud to co-sponsor HB25-1278, which implements recommendations from the Accountability, Accreditation, Student Performance, and Resource Inequity Task Force. This bipartisan bill modernizes Colorado’s education accountability system to better meet the needs of students and schools.

The legislation makes assessments more accessible by dividing them into shorter sections with age-appropriate time frames and developing versions in additional languages. It improves how we identify schools needing support by implementing early warning systems and providing targeted assistance before problems escalate. The legislation also creates a more transparent accountability dashboard for families and communities.

Supporting students at every level

Nothing is more important than keeping our students safe. HB25-1173 is a bipartisan bill that expands the role of the school safety advisory board in recommending policy to the School Safety Resource Center and Office of School Safety. I am committed to supporting measures that protect our children and create secure learning environments.

At the same time, every student deserves equal access to educational technology. That is why I am sponsoring HB25-1152, which requires school technology contractors to meet accessibility standards for students with disabilities and accept liability for non-compliance. I am proud to share that this bipartisan bill passed its third reading in the House and will soon be heard in the Senate Education Committee. By ensuring all students can access digital learning tools, we are removing barriers to education for our most vulnerable learners.

Looking toward the future, education must extend beyond traditional classrooms. HB25-1186 would create a pilot program giving higher education students hands-on work experience that complements their academic learning. This program will help students develop practical skills for their future careers while completing their studies — bridging the gap between education and employment that many young people face after graduation.

Building education progress together

These education initiatives address specific challenges our schools and communities face while paying careful attention to our state’s fiscal realities. Each bill responds directly to feedback from educators, parents, and students across House District 26, focusing on practical solutions from technology accessibility to work-based learning opportunities.

I believe we make the best policy when we listen to those closest to the issues. If you have insights about education in our communities or thoughts on any of these bills, please share them with me. You can reach me at meghan.lukens.house@coleg.gov or attend one of my upcoming town halls. For more frequent updates throughout the legislative session, I invite you to join my newsletter by sending me an email.

Let’s keep in touch and keep making a difference in House District 26. Onward!

Meghan Lukens of Steamboat Springs is the representative for Colorado’s House District 26, which encompasses Moffat, Rio Blanco, Eagle, and Routt counties.