Colorado’s approach to facial recognition technology in schools is set to shift significantly as Senate Bill 25-143 heads to Governor Jared Polis’s desk after passing the state’s General Assembly on April 4, 2025. The legislation creates a framework for limited use of the technology while maintaining certain restrictions.
The bill conditionally lifts a moratorium that has been in place since 2022 on new facial recognition technology contracts in Colorado public schools. Under the new legislation, school districts would be permitted to implement facial recognition systems specifically for security purposes, including identifying individuals who have made threats, locating missing children on school grounds, and detecting unauthorized persons banned by court orders.
Educational applications of the technology would also be allowed, provided they receive approval from local school boards. To address privacy concerns, the bill mandates that biometric data collected through these systems must be deleted within 18 months.
The legislation emerged from extensive debate and revision. Initially proposing a complete ban on facial recognition technology in K-12 schools, the bill faced significant pushback from education stakeholders. The Colorado Association of Superintendents and School Administrators, along with other education groups, advocated for allowing limited applications to enhance student safety.
Proponents of the technology cited specific scenarios where facial recognition systems proved valuable, such as preventing special needs students from entering dangerous areas and identifying potential security threats. These real-world examples helped shape the final version of the bill, which strikes a balance between security needs and privacy protections.
If signed into law, Colorado would become the first U.S. state to establish specific statutory restrictions on facial recognition technology in educational settings. The Security Industry Association (SIA), which participated in Colorado’s Facial Recognition Task Force, has expressed support for the legislation’s balanced approach.
“It is essential that we ensure our school security professionals can responsibly leverage such technologies to best protect students, teachers and staff using proven best practices,” said Jake Parker, SIA’s senior director of government relations.
The bill’s passage comes amid broader discussions about biometric privacy in Colorado, following recent amendments to the state’s Privacy Act strengthening biometric data protections. Governor Polis’s decision on SB25-143 could influence how other states approach the regulation of facial recognition technology in educational settings.
Sources: Security Industry Association Report, SIA Legislative Update
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April 10, 2025 – by Cass Kennedy
