Student and Youth Rights

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Constitutional protections are not reserved solely for those over 18. Students and youth have civil liberties that must be respected.

The ACLU of Colorado has defended the rights of students across the state. Our cases and advocacy efforts have covered a range of issues, including the confiscation and search of students’ cell phones by school administrators, students’ political speech both on- and off-campus, and the recognition of a Gay/Straight Alliance club. We’ve also defended student journalists threatened by school administrators, a student who wished to wear a “NObama” shirt at a political rally, and fought against censorship of a controversial college course at CU Boulder.

The Latest

News & Commentary
A US flag hangs from the wall in a classroom.

ACLU Colorado urges Littleton Public Schools: Protect Students’ First Amendment Rights

The letter comes in response to reports of school staff coercing an elementary school student to stand during the Pledge of Allegiance
News & Commentary
Photo of a roll of i voted stickers

School Board Elections Shape the Future of Our Democracy

School board elections matter because grassroots democracy at the local level matters.
News & Commentary
Photo of a law enforcement officer with the words police ice written on the back of a vest

ACLU of Colorado Demands Independent Investigation into Family Separation of Children Detained by ICE

"Once again, ICE has chosen to abuse its power to inflict terror on our communities. The arrest of a family on their way to a middle school is appalling."
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Home

Court Case
Dec 04, 2025

Pledge of Allegiance Protest

The ACLU of Colorado sent a letter to the Superintendent of Littleton Public Schools after being notified that a student was discouraged from sitting in protest during the Pledge of Allegiance.
Court Case
Jun 13, 2025

Crookshanks, et al. v. Elizabeth School District

The ACLU of Colorado sued the Elizabeth School District because it banned and removed at least 19 books from school libraries based on the school board’s disagreement with the ideas they contain. The plaintiffs include students who have a right to access those books...
Court Case
Feb 14, 2024

Caden Kent v. Children's Hospital Colorado

We are suing the Children's Hospital of Colorado for a policy that discontinues medically necessary, gender-affirming care to patients over 18 while continuing to provide the same care to cisgender patients.
Court Case
Nov 22, 2023

A.V. v. Douglas County School District RE-1, et al.