Colorado Office of School Safety: March 2026 Updates
The Colorado Office of School Safety (OSS) is dedicated to providing the resources, training, and support necessary to foster secure and positive learning environments across the state. This month, we are highlighting critical leadership transitions, upcoming educational summits, and new safety resources available to Colorado educators and administrators.
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Leadership Transition and Recruitment
Director Christine Harms has announced her retirement, effective June 30, 2026. Under her leadership, the OSS has expanded its reach and impact significantly.
OSS Director Position: The Colorado Department of Public Safety is currently seeking a new Director to provide strategic oversight and expert guidance on state-wide school safety efforts.
Location: Hybrid (Lakewood, CO).
Focus: Managing state units, fostering stakeholder partnerships, and advising on emergency prevention and response.
Key Training and Educational Events
The OSS continues to offer specialized training sessions designed for students, staff, and safety specialists.
Virtual Student-Staff Summit (8th - 12th Grades): Scheduled for March 10, 2026. This summit features keynote speaker Lynn Riemer from ACT on Drugs and focuses on the impact of drugs on the teen brain and future.
General Quarterly Grant Reporting Webinar: March 25, 2026. This session covers mandatory reporting requirements for grant recipients to ensure continued eligibility for funding.
Institutions of Higher Education Summer Safety Symposium: May 28, 2026. Hosted in Glenwood Springs, this event addresses radical ideologies, legal impacts, and reporting behaviors in higher education settings.
School Safety Specialist Academy: June 2026. An intensive 20-hour foundational training for school and district safety leads.
New Safety Resources and Funding
New guides and funding opportunities are now available to assist schools in maintaining compliance and enhancing student well-being.
Child Sexual Abuse and Assault Prevention Resource Guide: A comprehensive tool for 2026 containing updated laws, definitions, and guidance for building school-based programs.
Hazardous Chemical Waste Removal Funding: Financial assistance is available through the CDPHE for schools needing to remove hazardous chemical wastes.
Student Voice Data: The OSS has released compiled student responses from recent safety summits, providing insight into the direct concerns of Colorado youth.
Looking Ahead: Colorado School Safety Showcase
While the Annual School Safety Summit will return in 2027, the OSS will host a virtual Colorado School Safety Showcase on October 15, 2026.
Call for Presenters: The OSS is seeking 60-minute virtual presentations highlighting successful safety projects, mental health initiatives, and collaborative partnerships.
Format: 100% Virtual.
Goal: To celebrate and share groundbreaking programs being implemented in districts across the state.