House Passes “Freedom to Read Act”

DENVER, CO – The House today passed the “Freedom to Read Act” by a vote of 42-22. SB25-063 would create safeguards against book bans in public school libraries.

“Knowledge is power, and our bill preserves access to age-appropriate literature in Colorado public schools,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn. “This legislation creates a standard process to evaluate a book’s inclusion or removal from a library – further shielding our public school libraries from D.C. culture wars and political fights. Schools are for learning, and our students deserve access to age-appropriate books that encourage them to think more broadly and critically about the world.” 

“Free societies don’t ban books. This bill maintains access to a wide range of literature, including books that share the experiences and voices of marginalized communities,” said Rep. Lorena García, D-Unincorporated Adams County. “Books offer a window to the world where students can explore new places, discover different cultures and dive deep into a new experience. The freedom to read is a cornerstone to a strong democracy, and we’re making sure our students have access to age-appropriate literature.”

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.