Gov. Jared Polis this week signed a bill into law that allows students to wear objects of cultural or religious significance during graduation ceremonies.
HB24-1323 prohibits preschools, public K-12 schools and higher education institutions from restricting what students may wear under their graduation attire. However, schools are still allowed to prevent students from wearing an adornment that is likely to disrupt or interfere with a graduation ceremony, according to the bill.
Last year, a Mexican-American student at Grand Valley High School in Parachute was told by officials from the school and Garfield County School District 16 that she couldn’t wear a stole decorated with both the American flag and Mexican flag during her graduation ceremony.