Overview

• State data show 28.4% of students were chronically absent in 2024-25, totaling more than 244,620 children and roughly 3,500 more than the prior year, while average daily attendance edged down to 91.4%.
• Denver Public Schools rose to 38.1% chronically absent from 37.1%, and Jeffco Public Schools increased to 26.6% from 25.3%.
• Despite the statewide uptick, 105 of 178 districts reduced chronic absenteeism, and state officials reported declines among kindergarten through second grade.
• Leaders cited varied, not fully understood factors such as post-pandemic norms around sick and mental-health days, school-year vacations, students working, and fears linked to immigration enforcement activity.
• Colorado’s Every School Day Matters campaign continues with training and toolkits for districts, and schools like York International and Lincoln Elementary report notable gains using targeted strategies such as attendance refocus and family engagement.