Colorado Advisory Committee to the

U.S. Commission on Civil Rights

Public School Attendance Zones in Colorado

The Colorado Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights has been undertaking a study on Public School Attendance Zones in Colorado. This will be the Committee’s first in-person briefing on the topic, following three virtual briefings previously held on the issue. The committee hopes to develop findings and recommendations for a subsequent report to be submitted to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.

The Colorado Committee is looking at public school attendance zones in the state. Traditionally, school districts create attendance zones around each physical school building. These zones provide children who reside in that zone an absolute right or a substantial advantage to attend that school. Nationally, over 80 percent of public-school students attend the school to which they are assigned based on residence. The Committee is looking at whether school districts draw or gerrymander attendance zones and if there are any civil rights implications of doing so.

“The Advisory Committee is examining whether public school attendance zones increase segregation,” said Chair Alvina Earnhart. “In Colorado, schools in the Denver area rank above average in most measures of segregation by race and among the most segregated by income. And this remains true despite over a decade of working toward integrated public school attendance zones.”

Members of the public will be invited to speak during an open comment session at the end of the briefing. Members of the public are encouraged to share their experiences and perspectives on public school attendance zones in Colorado.