Colorado Students Earned Climate Literacy Seals
More than 1,200 students in 26 districts gained new credentials for climate studies and community work.
Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Secondary Education
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In 2024, Colorado lawmakers approved a climate literacy seal for high school students, leading to over 1,200 graduates receiving the distinction. The program requires two advanced climate-focused courses and the completion of a community-based project.
Why it matters
Proponents designed the seal to help students prepare for green workforce opportunities and better understand climate systems. By providing this recognition, the state aims to better equip young residents for future academic and career paths related to climate science.
The program rollout was supported by less than $20,000 in state funding. Currently, 26 of Colorado's 179 school districts have adopted the seal initiative.
The players
Lyra Colorado
An organization providing grants to help schools manage the resources and time needed for student climate projects.
The details
To earn the seal, students must complete two advanced courses covering Earth's climate systems and carry out an approved community project. Lyra Colorado offers a grant program to assist schools in covering costs associated with teacher time and student project resources. This model has since expanded beyond state lines to influence similar climate seal initiatives in Maine and California.
Timeline
Colorado lawmakers approved the climate literacy seal in 2024.
Maine and California adopted similar climate seal initiatives by 2026.
The Home Front
This state-level initiative follows a broader trend of introducing specialized endorsements to high school diplomas, similar to existing seals of biliteracy. It reflects a growing effort to link secondary school curriculum directly to future workforce development and collegiate credit standards.
Parents of high school students should check with their local school district office to see if their specific school has adopted the climate literacy seal program. If your student is interested, look into the specific course requirements and current community project opportunities available.
The takeaway
The climate literacy seal provides a way for students to gain recognition for specialized environmental studies and community engagement. Students should track their progress on course prerequisites and consult with their academic counselors regarding future university credit potential.
Further reading
For more information on state academic initiatives, visit the Secondary Education section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Guardian.
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Should your local schools offer specialized climate literacy credentials for high school students?
