Summary#

SJR 26-023, titled “Concerning Recognition of the Contributions of Young Americans Bank and Young Americans Center for Financial Education to Financial Literacy Education for Students in Colorado,” is a joint resolution, not a bill amending a law. It formally recognizes and commends the two organizations and encourages collaboration with them; its stated goal is to support financial literacy education for Colorado students.

• The General Assembly would recognize the organizations’ contributions to youth financial literacy, entrepreneurship education, and economic opportunity.
• It would acknowledge experiential financial education as support for classroom teaching and for House Bill 25-1192.
• It would describe the organizations as uniquely positioned partners in advancing financial literacy education.
• It would encourage continued collaboration among the state, school districts, educators, community organizations, and the two organizations.
• It directs that copies of the resolution be sent to the governor, the Colorado Department of Education, the State Board of Education, and the organizations’ leaders.

The supplied status says it passed the Senate, but does not show House concurrence. The resolution does not create a new program, funding stream, legal duty to collaborate, or individual right to services.

What it means for you#

• Students and families: The resolution does not guarantee access to a program, bank account, or financial service, or change anyone’s eligibility.
• Schools and educators: It encourages collaboration but does not require schools to work with these organizations. The resolution says House Bill 25-1192 requires school districts to include financial literacy standards in a graduation-required course starting in the 2027–28 school year. The parent law was not supplied, so that requirement could not be checked against current law.
• State agencies and school districts: They would receive recognition of the organizations as potential partners, but the resolution does not direct them to make agreements or take other specific action.
• General public: The resolution makes a statement of recognition; it does not change taxes, fees, banking rules, or public services.

Money#

No cost information is in the available material.

• The resolution does not authorize an appropriation, grant, fee, or other payment.
• It directs that copies be sent to named recipients, but gives no estimate for that task or any staffing costs.

What is unclear#

• Whether any state agency, school district, or educator will act on the encouragement to collaborate.
• Whether collaboration would involve funding, and, if so, who would pay.
• What standards, if any, would guide partnerships or access to programs.
• The resolution describes the organizations as “uniquely positioned” but does not set criteria for that description or for choosing partners.
• The supplied material does not show whether the House has concurred.

Case for#

• The resolution appears intended to connect classroom financial literacy with practical learning opportunities.
• Recognizing organizations that already provide financial education and entrepreneurship programming could help schools and educators identify possible partners.
• Encouraging collaboration leaves room for schools and communities to decide whether these programs fit their needs.

Case against#

• The resolution encourages collaboration but creates no funding, requirements, or process to make that collaboration happen.
• It recognizes two named organizations as uniquely positioned partners without explaining how other potential partners would be considered.
• The resolution does not specify how programs would reach students across communities or how access would be assessed.