This week, the Colorado Department of Education (CDE), the Denver Broncos Foundation and the national nonprofit initiative, Attendance Works, launched the Denver Broncos Attendance Network; a learning cohort for school leaders focused on improving student attendance.
The Denver Broncos Attendance Network includes 53 schools from 13 school districts and two BOCES. Representatives from these schools participate in ongoing professional learning, resources, and tool kits to support local efforts to improve attendance and decrease chronic absenteeism.
In Colorado, about one in four students have been chronically absent since 2023, and CDE has set a goal to decrease chronic absenteeism by half over the next five years through its Every School Day Matters! Attendance Campaign.
“We’re proud to partner with the Denver Broncos Foundation and Attendance Works to help more students show up, stay engaged, and thrive,” said Dr. Susana Córdova, Colorado’s education commissioner. “The Denver Broncos football team knows that commitment and engagement are essential to be champions, and we are thankful for their foundation’s support. Every day in school is an opportunity for students to learn, build relationships and feel connected to their school community.”
The Denver Broncos Attendance Network participants are:
- Aurora Public Schools
- Denver Public Schools
- East Otero R-1School District
- Harrison School District 2
- Julesburg School District
- Las Animas RE-1 School District
- Mapleton School District
- Moffat School District 2
- Montezuma-Cortez School District
- Northeast BOCES
- Pueblo School District 60
- Rocky Ford R-2 School District
- Santa Fe Trail BOCES
- Swink 33 School District
- Yuma School District
Vice President of Community Impact and Executive Director of the Denver Broncos Foundation Allie Engelken said: “With this partnership, we are investing in strategies that strengthen student belonging, reduce barriers to attendance, and advance CDE’s Every School Day Matters! campaign. We know that when young people feel connected to school, they are more likely to attend consistently, develop strong social and emotional skills, and achieve positive outcomes that prepare them for their futures. We look forward to partnering with participating schools and districts to help more students thrive, both in and out of the classroom.
“Strong leadership is essential to reducing chronic absences so students can learn and thrive,” said Attendance Works President and CEO Hedy Chang. “We’re delighted to partner with the Colorado Department of Education and the Denver Broncos Foundation to support the Denver Broncos Attendance Network. We applaud their commitment to advancing a state-wide approach that builds the capacity of districts to adopt effective strategies for improving student attendance and engagement.”
Learn more about the Denver Broncos Attendance Network.