Assess District Level Policy

Overview

Colorado's Tobacco-Free Schools (TFS) law prohibits the use of all tobacco and nicotine products, including vaping devices, on school property and at school-sponsored events. The law also requires districts to adopt and enforce policies that outline consequences for violations, ensure visible TFS signage, and include instruction on tobacco, nicotine, and other substances.

Key Colorado Statutes:

Statute C.R.S. 25-14-103.5: Prohibits tobacco, nicotine and retail marijuana product use on school property and requires local enforcement policies. Requires school boards to adopt and enforce policies that prohibit students, staff, and visitors from using these products anywhere on school grounds.

Statute C.R.S. 22-32-109.1: Eliminates zero-tolerance discipline for most offenses and encourages alternatives to suspension and expulsion.

Statute C.R.S. 22-32-144: Encourages school districts to provide training and education in restorative justice practices, ensuring that qualified personnel and resources are in place to effectively carry out each step of the restorative process.

Review for Compliance

Reviewing district policy ensures legal compliance and helps identify opportunities to strengthen prevention, intervention, and supportive discipline practices.

By law, all Colorado school districts must have a TFS policy that prohibits the use of all nicotine products on school grounds, ends exclusive zero tolerance discipline, and encourages non-punitive responses to infractions.

In addition to meeting legal requirements, a strong TFS policy should:

Explicitly include nicotine prevention education within student learning and health instruction.
Outline supportive, non-punitive alternatives to discipline that prioritize education, intervention, and student well-being.
Establish clear protocols for communicating the policy and its rationale to students, staff, families, and visitors.
Provide access to information about free and evidence-based quitting resources for youth and adults.
Include referral pathways to screening, early intervention, and support services, as appropriate.

While TFS policy should be adopted as a standalone district policy, effective implementation requires understanding how TFS policy intersects with other district policies that govern areas such as discipline, instruction, staff conduct, and school environments.

Common policy codes include:

ADC- Tobacco-Free Schools Policy

GBEC or GBED- Alcohol and Drug Free Workplace or Tobacco-Free Workplace

IHAM and IHAMA- Health Education Policy and Teaching about Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco

JDC- Student Conduct

JICG- Use of Tobacco by Students

JICH- Student Involvement Regarding Drugs and Alcohol

JK- Student Discipline

JKD/JKE-R- Suspension/Expulsion of Students (Hearing Procedures)

JLDAC- Screening and Testing of Students

IKF- Graduation Requirements (may include health education)

KHB- Advertising and Sponsorships

KFA- Public Conduct on School Property

Tools You Can Use

Tobacco-Free Schools Policy Checklists Overview: Introduces practical assessment tools designed to help LPHAs and partners evaluate Tobacco-Free Schools policy strength, implementation, and alignment with Colorado law.
The Tobacco-Free Schools Policy Language Checklist: Identify strengths and gaps in district TFS policy language and legal alignment.

Recommend Revisions

If you find that the district’s Tobacco-Free Schools policy needs to be adjusted to comply with basic law, you should engage with school and district staff as well as other stakeholders, such as student and parent advisory groups, to review the current policy and discuss potential revisions.

Any proposed policy revisions must be presented to the school board for review and adoption. Colorado is a local control state, so the process for adopting or amending policies varies by district. Formal policy change procedures are typically outlined on your district’s policy website under Section B: School Board Governance and Operations.

Policy revisions that go beyond legal requirements must be backed by:

Clear rationale and alignment with student health and goals.

Community and youth voices.

Evidence of implementation support and readiness.

Typically, proposed revisions are introduced in writing, reviewed by the school board, discussed over multiple meetings, and opened for public comment.

Policy change can take time, especially as districts balance staffing, budget, and academic priorities. If revising a tobacco-free policy is not immediately feasible, focus on building shared understanding of best practices and supporting schools with implementation strategies that align with existing policy.

Tools You Can Use

The sample model policy from the Colorado Association of School Boards (CASB) contains the content/language they believe best meets the intent of the law.

Tobacco-Free Schools (TFS) Policy Language Examples: offers real-world examples and adaptable sample language.

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