“Freedom to Read Act” Moves Forward

DENVER, CO – The House today advanced the “Freedom to Read Act” on a preliminary vote. SB25-063 would create safeguards against book bans in public school libraries. 

“Knowledge is power, and it’s never been more important to preserve access to literature in our public schools,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn. “We’re stepping up to protect our public libraries from D.C. culture wars and political fights by creating a standard process to evaluate a book’s inclusion or removal from a library. This bill serves as a reminder that schools are for learning, and students deserve access to age-appropriate books that help them become more well-informed and critical thinkers.”

“This bill is about preserving student access to books, including those that share the stories and voices of marginalized people,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County. “The freedom to read is a cornerstone to a strong democracy, and restricting what books our students are allowed to read is a slippery slope. When you can’t explore new places, discover new cultures, or learn about different experiences, books offer a window to the world, and our students deserve that experience. A well-rounded education is rooted in age-appropriate literature, and this bill safeguards our student’s freedom to read.” 

SB25-063 would create safeguards against book bans in public schools by requiring local school boards to establish a standard policy on the acquisition, use and removal of library resources. The policy would ensure that any removal or restriction of a library resource follows a clear, fair and consistent process. 

Without a policy in place, a local school board or the Charter School Institute could not remove a library resource from its collection. SB25-063 would also prevent discriminatory policies and protect librarians from retaliation.