Colorado § 22-61.5-104 - Colorado teacher of the year program - created - administration - funding - legislative declaration - rules.

§ 22-61.5-104. Colorado teacher of the year program - created - administration - funding - legislative declaration - rules.

(1) There is hereby created in the department the Colorado teacher of the year program to honor and reward the teacher named annually as the Colorado teacher of the year. The department shall administer the program.

(2) The state board shall adopt rules necessary for the creation and implementation of the program. Elements of the program may include, but need not be limited to, the following:

(a) The program may reward the award recipient with gifts, services, and opportunities that may include, but need not be limited to:

(I) A sabbatical from teaching responsibilities that includes moneys awarded to the award recipient's employer for the purpose of hiring a substitute teacher during the award recipient's sabbatical;

(II) A cash gift;

(III) Travel and lodging expenses;

(IV) A computer;

(V) Supplies and equipment for the award recipient's classroom or school; and

(VI) The opportunity to receive additional training or education.

(b) During his or her tenure as Colorado teacher of the year, the award recipient may participate in activities that may include, but need not be limited to:

(I) Participating in local, regional, and national events related to the award recipient's designation as Colorado teacher of the year;

(II) Promoting the teaching profession;

(III) Teaching best practices to other teachers;

(IV) Teaching temporarily in other public schools or school districts;

(V) Mentoring students in educator preparation programs and supporting newer teachers in Colorado;

(VI) Collaborating with institutions of higher education in scholarly research and teaching; and

(VII) Participating in special projects relating to education that are important to the award recipient.

(3) The department may collaborate with a private entity in implementing the program and may accept services and in-kind donations from the private entity.

(4) (a) The general assembly may annually appropriate money from the state education fund created in section 17 (4) of article IX of the state constitution for the program.

(b) The general assembly declares that, for purposes of section 17 of article IX of the state constitution, the Colorado teacher of the year program is an important element in providing performance incentives for teachers and may therefore receive funding from the state education fund created in section 17 (4) of article IX of the state constitution.

Source: L. 2009: Entire article added, (HB 09-1240), ch. 236, p. 1077, § 1, effective August 5. L. 2011: (2)(b)(V) amended, (SB 11-245), ch. 201, p. 850, § 12, effective August 10. L. 2026: (4) added, (HB 26-1175), ch. 19, p. 94, § 2, effective March 26.

Cross references: For the legislative declaration in the 2011 act amending subsection (2)(b)(V), see section 1 of chapter 201, Session Laws of Colorado 2011.