Senator Kolker Visits Local Elementary Schools to talk about Civics

During the interim, Senator Kolker spent time connecting with students across his district. He visited fourth graders at Sandberg Elementary, where he walked them through Colorado’s civics process and answered questions about how state government works. He also joined the Colorado Education Association at Centennial Academy for the Fine Arts as part of the Educator for a Day program, gaining firsthand insight into the daily experiences of teachers and students.

These classroom visits are helping shape his approach to education policy ahead of the upcoming legislative session. Hearing directly from students and observing the challenges and successes educators navigate each day has provided valuable context as he continues developing bills focused on supporting schools, strengthening learning environments, and addressing the needs raised by those working closest to Colorado’s classrooms.

In addition to his time in schools, he has also been participating in listening tours with local superintendents throughout the summer. These conversations have centered on school finance and the implementation of Colorado’s new school finance formula, offering a deeper understanding of district‑level priorities, funding pressures, and opportunities for improvement. The feedback gathered through these tours shapes his ongoing work to ensure the state’s funding structures better reflect the needs of students and educators across diverse communities.