In May 2007, Colorado Governor Bill Ritter signed into law House Bill 1292, which promotes adolescent health by reducing the risk of pregnancy, abortion, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, among young people through the instruction of science-based sexuality education.

In Colorado, comprehensive health education is optional. All Colorado district schools, institutes, and charter schools can decide whether or not to teach sexuality education, and may address the subject in preschool through 12th grade. The Healthy Youth Act of 2007, HB 1292, directs that wherever offered, sexuality education must be science-based, age-appropriate, culturally sensitive, medically accurate, and address the topics of abstinence and contraception, including emergency contraception. Students “opt- in” to this class, which allows parents the opportunity to begin or continue the conversation about sexuality before their student receives information at school – and, ideally, before they need it.

HB 1292 sets minimum requirements for school district curriculum on human sexuality, including:

1. Encourage parental involvement and family communication;
2. Emphasize abstinence as the only certain and most effective way to avoid pregnancy and STIs;
3. Teach students about STIs including but not limited to HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis C, and the link between the human papilloma virus and cervical cancer;
4. Develop student skills for making responsible and healthy choices about sexual activity;
5. Explain how being under the influence of drugs or alcohol can impair a student’s ability to make healthy choices;
6. Be age appropriate, culturally relevant, and medically accurate according to published authorities relied on by the medical profession;
7. Explain the health benefits and potential side effects of using contraceptives and barrier methods, including emergency contraception, to prevent pregnancy and STIs.

When delivered accurately and with fidelity, comprehensive sexuality education helps youth delay the initiation of sexual intimacy and be safe when they choose to become sexually active. Study after study has shown that youth who receive science-based comprehensive sexuality education at home and at school:

1. Delay the onset of sexual activity;

2. Increase correct and consistent use of condoms and contraceptives;

3. Reduce the number of sexual encounters, and

4. Reduce the number of sexual partners.

Comprehensive sexuality education is science-based, age-appropriate, culturally relevant – and effective!

For the complete statute, click here.