Colorado State Standards

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Colorado Holocaust Education Summary

Legal Status

  • Mandated by law: Yes
  • Required under HB 20‑1336 (2020) and the updated Colorado Academic Standards
  • Holocaust and genocide studies must be integrated into an existing high school graduation‑required course beginning with the 2022‑23 school year [oai_citation:0‡codes.findlaw.com](https://codes.findlaw.com/co/title-22-education/co-rev-st-sect-22-7-1005?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
  • Colorado Department of Education maintains a publicly accessible resource bank to support instruction

How the Holocaust Appears in Colorado’s Standards

Middle School (Grades 7–8) – Integrated Social Studies

  • Holocaust and genocide studies are strongly encouraged, with emphasis on personal stories and historical context
  • Content should include accurate historical context, unbiased perspectives, and human-focused narratives

High School (Grades 9–12) – Graduation‑Required Course

  • Holocaust and genocide standards must be fully incorporated into an existing required course starting 2022‑23
  • Students analyze historical causes, examine survivor testimony, and explore moral and civic dimensions

Supplemental Teaching Tools Encouraged

To support instruction, Colorado educators may use:

  • Colorado Department of Education’s Holocaust & Genocide Resource Bank
  • Echoes & Reflections professional development
  • U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum curricula
  • Survivor testimony videos and primary documents

Teaching Notes for Colorado Educators

AreaGuidance
Mandated by LawYes (HB 20‑1336; standards required beginning July 1, 2022)
Included in CurriculumYes, integrated into a graduation‑required course
Grade LevelsMiddle school and grades 9–12
Instructional FlexibilityMedium, with local implementation discretion
Professional DevelopmentSupported via Echoes & Reflections webinars and CDE resources

Conclusion

Colorado law mandates Holocaust and genocide education in public schools. Beginning in the 2022‑23 school year, districts are required to integrate robust Holocaust and genocide standards—including historical analysis, survivor voices, and ethical inquiry—into an existing high‑school course required for graduation. Middle schools are encouraged to introduce these themes through personal narratives and context. Educators are equipped with a state resource bank and professional development options to guide effective implementation.

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Leslie Benitah is a journalist, filmmaker, and third-generation Holocaust survivor dedicated to preserving memory and com- bating historical denial through storytelling. Holding a PhD in Journalism from the Sorbonne, she began her career as a journalist, later becoming editor-in-chief, and eventually serving as Executive Producer for TF1, France’s leading network, where she helped shape primetime content for millions of viewers.

After moving to Miami in 2006, she ran a major French- language publication before returning to film, directing critically acclaimed documentaries and collaborating with top production companies for over 20 years.

Driven by activism and education, Leslie co-founded The Last Ones—a groundbreaking documentary series that has amassed millions of views across social media and is used as an official educational tool in schools worldwide. Featuring over 150 survivor testimonies filmed across multiple continents, The Last Ones bridges past and present, ensuring younger generations remain engaged with Holocaust history. Leslie frequently speaks in schools, advocating for education as the most powerful tool against misinformation and hate.