• Twenty-nine percent of young people face an increased risk of chronic disease due to obesity. Source
• More than 1,600 students in Colorado have been diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Source
  According to the National Diabetes Education Program, kids with diabetes are often overweight; are typically not physically active enough; and have a mom, dad or other close relative who has diabetes.
• Colorado is one of only two states that do not require schools to teach physical education. Source
• Of Colorado’s 23 large school districts surveyed by the Colorado Children’s Campaign, only one requires — and four encourage — a specific number of minutes of physical activity per week. Source
  • Twenty-two require at least one semester of physical education for high school graduation.
  • Six require at least two semesters of physical education for high school graduation.
  • Four require physical education courses for elementary and middle school students.
• Approximately 1.5 out of 10 Colorado high school students had not participated in any vigorous or moderate physical activity during the past seven days. Source
• Approximately two out of 10 Colorado high school students attended physical education classes daily in an average week when they were in school. Source
• Colorado, like a majority of states, requires districts or schools to follow national or state physical education standards or guidelines. Source
• Colorado is one of only six states that do not require newly hired physical education teachers to have undergraduate or graduate training in physical education or a related field at the elementary, middle and high school levels. Source

The Colorado Legacy Foundation believes that increased student achievement for all Colorado students requires effective leaders in every school, effective educators in every classroom, and healthy and engaged students who come to school ready to learn.