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Preparing Colorado Students to Lead in a Changing Climate
A statewide high school diploma endorsement recognizing climate-ready graduates across Colorado’s schools and communities.
What is the Seal?
The Colorado Seal of Climate Literacy is a high school diploma and transcript endorsement that recognizes Colorado students who demonstrate strong climate knowledge and real-world leadership.
Students earn the Seal through interdisciplinary coursework and hands-on projects that connect learning to their local communities. Adopted in 2024, the Seal builds on learning already happening in classrooms while giving students a meaningful credential that signals readiness for college, careers, and civic leadership.
HOW IT WORKS IN COLORADO
Colorado became the first state in the nation to establish a Seal of Climate Literacy in May 2024 through Senate Bill 24-014. Participation is voluntary: local school districts and education providers opt in and define how students meet Seal standards, while statewide guidance from the Colorado Department of Energy ensures shared principles and quality.
Students demonstrate climate literacy through completion of two or more courses, community projects, and applied problem-solving, preparing them for college, careers, and civic leadership.
FIRST YEAR SUCCESS
After one full year of implementation, the Seal of Climate Literacy is already making an impact across Colorado. More than a dozen Local Education Providers (LEPs) received small grants, technical guidance, and resources to launch the Seal.
Data confirmed with the Colorado Department of Education shows 14 LEPs are conferring the Seal, with an estimated 426 students recognized as of May 2025, just one year following legislative passage. Rural areas represented one-third of all LEPs conferring the Seal.
Implementation reflects local priorities: LEPs set the standards, courses, and experiential projects and partners that qualify, ensuring the Seal connects learning to each community.
LEPs seeking implementation support can reach out to Lyra for guidance, resources, or technical assistance.
WHO IS THE SEAL FOR
Recognize climate learning already happening and give students a future-ready credential.
❋ EDUCATORS & SCHOOLS
Turn your climate learning and action into a standout diploma distinction.
❋ STUDENTS
Support a proven, voluntary, low-cost model that strengthens education and workforce readiness.
❋ POLICY LEADERS
Help build Colorado’s future workforce by endorsing a credential that signals climate literacy and leadership.
❋ INDUSTRY & EMPLOYERS
Colorado students are on the front lines of climate change—from wildfires and drought to water scarcity and extreme weather. At the same time, the state’s economy is rapidly evolving, with growth in clean energy, construction, outdoor recreation, agriculture, and climate-resilient infrastructure.
The Seal equips students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed in Colorado’s changing workforce and to contribute climate solutions rooted in their own communities.
WHY THIS MATTERS IN COLORADO
IMPLEMENTING LEPs
These Local Education Providers are among the first to implement the Seal in Colorado. Make your district next.
There are many partners across the state who are supporting districts with implementation of the Seal. Reach out to get connected to the right, tools, resources, and local partners.
COloRADO’s small implementation grants FOR LEPS
Lyra has been honored to work with Colorado’s LEPs over the last two years through small implementation grants, technical assistance and recognition materials for students at graduation.
Congratulations to these early Seal of Climate Literacy Adopters.
Boulder Valley School District
Denver Public Schools
DSST Public Schools
Durango School District
Eagle Ridge Academy
Greeley Evans District 6
Hayden School District
Jeffco Public Schools
Lake County School District
Moffat School District 2
Montrose County School District
Peak to Peak Charter School (BVSD)
Poudre School District
Roaring Fork School District
Silverton Public Schools
South Routt School District
Steamboat Springs School District
Telluride R-1 School District
The STEAD School
Thompson Valley School District
Upper Rio Grande School District
List of LEPs updated annually.
HEAR FROM STUDENTS & EDUCATORS
“The Seal sends a message that our students are making an impact and are passionate about being the agents of change. How can we sustain that for students so that they continue to make a difference? If our students can benefit now, why wait?”
— Karen chesersuperintendent of durango public school district 9-R“The Seal is amazing to put on my resume for college and future work experiences. Pursuing the Seal of Climate Literacy means that you are part of something bigger than yourself and you’re advocating for things that are important to you.”
— ISADORASTUDENT AT DENVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS & SEAL RECIPIENT“The Seal of Climate Literacy empowers students to become leaders. It teaches students skills and knowledge so we can advocate for sustainable practices within our communities, which drives positive environmental change, creating a more equal future for everyone.”
— weimingstudent at durango public schools & SEAL RECIPIENT
BUILDING A MOVEMENT
Colorado’s Seal sparked a national movement to recognize climate-ready graduates. Other states are now adapting the Colorado model while aligning with shared principles.
Stay tuned to see which state will adopt the policy next.
COLORADO / NATIONAL PARTNERLYRA
Champion of the Seal of Climate Literacy and architect of its passage in Colorado. Lyra supports state implementation, resource development, and national strategy—grounded in local context and centered on rural and under-resourced communities.
Learn more at: https://www.lyracolorado.org/
WAYS TO GET INVOLVED
Help shape the future of climate literacy in Colorado.
STUDENTS -- ADVOCATE WITH YOUR DISTRICTINDUSTRY -- Request a BriefingEDUCATORS & SCHOOLS -- IMPLEMENT THE SEAL