ADL was one of only two independent organizations invited to participate in Colorado’s Bullying Prevention Institutes, hosted by the Colorado Department of Education, the Colorado Safe Schools Resource Center, and the Colorado Legacy Foundation.   The first three Institutes were held in Montrose, Pueblo and Aurora, attracting hundreds of educators.

Each Institute included a video featuring ADL Mountain States Regional Director Scott L. Levin discussing the importance of strong school responses to bullying and the link between bullying and discrimination.

The most recent Institute took place on January 25th at Aurora Public Schools and attracted 90 different school districts and organizations representing 21 Colorado counties and 45 different Colorado cities. The Institute focuses on Colorado’s new bullying prevention legislation, best practices regarding bullying prevention, building blocks for creating a positive school climate, how to measure school climate, cyberbullying. ADL shared its expertise concerning bullying and hate crimes that target victims because of their race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation and/or disability.

The next Bullying Prevention Institute is planned for March 1st and will be held at the Adams 12 School District. ADL will be present working together with the other presenters and hosts to ensure that schools in Colorado are equipped to serve all their students, staff and families, creating school environments that are inclusive and safe.