Comprehensive Health

New Health Education Resources

Funding Opportunity

The Colorado Comprehensive Health Education Act provides funding to develop and implement local comprehensive health education programs in grades PK-12 to foster healthy behaviors through increasing students’ health knowledge and skills to establish and maintain their physical, emotional, social, mental, and sexual health and wellness in addition to the modification of risky behaviors. Approximately $300,000 is available for the 2023-2024 school year, with funding contingent on approval of appropriations from the State Legislature. The Colorado Department of Education anticipates awarding grants for a four-year period. Applicants may request up to $30,000 per year.

Comprehensive Health Education Funding Opportunity

Applications Due: Friday, April 28, 2023, by 11:59 p.m.

Recorded Application Information Webinar

Intent to Apply Due: Friday, March 31, 2023, by 11:59 p.m.

Request for Application (RFA)

For more information view the Comprehensive Health Education Grants Page

Heatlh Educaton Coordinators E-mail list

If you are interested in receiving information and resources related to health education, you can sign up for our e-mail list.

Sign up for the Health Education Coordinators E-mail List

Health Education Moodle Course Modules

The Colorado Department of Education has collectively created a comprehensive course to support educators teaching health education. The goal of health education is for students to gain knowledge and become proficient in skills that will help them adopt and maintain healthy lives. The module course will equip educators to develop skills around implementing high impact teaching strategies and effective health education practices. Each of the course modules focuses on one important aspect of health education. The modules are set up to be viewed sequentially; however, they are self-contained, meaning there is flexibility to review the modules individually at your leisure. Modules have been created by Colorado health educators with support from the Colorado Education Initiative, and funding from the Colorado Health Foundation.

Access the Health Education Instructional Modules

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Data Released (CDPHE)

Health Kids Colorado Data - The purpose of the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey is to better understand youth health and what factors support youth to make healthy choices. CDPHE has published Healthy Kids Colorado Data for the state and health statistical regions. This data can be used to identify behavioral need as well as risk and protective factors in your school and community. These data can be a key indicator and driver to guiding your health education curriculum.
SMART Source Data - Colorado Healthy Schools Smart Source (Smart Source) is an inventory of best practices in school health, completed once per school by school staff. Schools and districts use Smart Source to help inform programs and policies to improve student health.

View CDPHE Data Resources

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Academic Standards

The Comprehensive Health standards focus on personal decision-making around emotional and social well-being, positive communication, healthy eating, physical activity, tobacco, drug, and alcohol abuse prevention and violence prevention. The standards underscore important skills for navigating today’s society with its complex and often confusing messages around health, beauty, and happiness.

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Curriculum Support

Article IX, Section 16 of Colorado's constitution states, "Neither the general assembly nor the state board of education shall have power to prescribe textbooks to be used in the public schools." However, CDE can still serve as an advisor to help districts and schools adopt, adapt, develop, or use the materials of their choice.

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Instructional Support

Instructional support is grounded in CDE's shared approach to Best, First Instruction as well as practices and strategies supported by professional organizations and scholars at the leading edge of health education.

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Community

There are many opportunities to connect and grow as a professional educator with the larger health education community, including mailing lists, professional organizations, and events.

News and Announcements

RMC Health has released updated health skill models. They also provide training on implementation of these models in health education
CDE provides training and technical assistance related to the health education standards, curriculum alignment and, instructional best practices. Please contact me for more information

For further assistance, please contact:

James Hurley, Ph.D.
Comprehensive Health and Physical Education Content Specialist
P 303.866.6453 | C: 303.910.3901
Hurley_J@cde.state.co.us