Recognize Caregiving Youth Day

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION 26-1019

BY REPRESENTA TIVE(S) Ricks, Bacon, Boesenecker, Bradfield, Brown, Caldwell, Camacho, Clifford, Duran, English, Espenoza, Froelich, Garcia, Garcia Sander, Gilchrist, Hamrick, Jackson, Joseph, Lieder, Lindsay, Lukens, Mabrey, Martinez, Mauro, McCormick, Nguyen, Paschal, Phillips, Rutinel, Sirota, Slaugh, Smith, Stewart K., Stewart R., Story, Taggart, Titone, Velasco, Weinberg, Willford, Woodrow, Zokaie, McCluskie; also SENATOR(S) Jodeh, Amabile, Baisley, Ball, Benavidez, Bridges, Bright, Carson, Catlin, Cutter, Danielson, Daugherty, Exum, Frizell, Gonzales J., Hinrichsen, Kipp, Kirkmeyer, Kolker, Lindstedt, Liston, Marchman, Mullica, Pelton B., Pelton R., Rich, Roberts, Rodriguez, Simpson, Snyder, Sullivan, Wallace, Weissman, Zamora Wilson, Coleman.

CONCERNING THE RECOGNITION OF CAREGIVING YOUTH DAY.

WHEREAS, Caregiving youth are children and adolescents under eighteen years old who provide primary or secondary care to a family member or loved one of any age who has a chronic illness, frailty of aging, disability, mental health condition, or other health-related need requiring regular assistance; and WHEREAS, It is estimated that more than six million caregiving youth nationwide provide essential care while also balancing school, extracurricular activities, employment, sibling care, and their own physical, emotional, and social development; and WHEREAS, The most recent data from the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey shows that 12.3% of high schoolers and 20.4% of middle schoolers identify as caregivers, with as many as 31.03 % of children shouldering caregiving responsibilities in some districts; and

WHEREAS, Caregiving youth often perform adult-level responsibilities, including personal care, medication management, household tasks, emotional support, and care coordination, frequently without formal recognition or support; and WHEREAS, Caregiving youth are at increased risk of academic challenges, absenteeism, stress, anxiety, substance misuse, and social isolation, yet remain largely underidentified and underserved within education, health care, and social service systems; and WHEREAS, Care giving youth contribute significantly to the stability and well-being of their families and communities, often at great personal sacrifice and must navigate difficult. situations that are no fault of their own; and WHEREAS, Increasing awareness of caregiving youth is essential to promoting early identification, appropriate accommodations, trauma-informed supports, and improved outcomes for these young people; and WHEREAS, February 20, 2026, is designated as Caregiving Youth Day, and Colorado will formally observe Caregiving Youth Day on February 27, 2026, at the Colorado state capitol; now, therefore, Be It Resolved by the House of Representatives of the Seventy-fifth Genera/Assembly ofthe State ofColorado, the Senate concurring herein:

( 1) That February 20, 2026, is hereby recognized as Care giving Youth Day in Colorado, with official observance taking place on February 27, 2026; (2) That the General Assembly honors and recognizes caregiving youth across Colorado for their compassion, resilience, and contributions to their families and communities; (3) That the General Assembly honors and recognizes caregiving youth as an underserved and underrecognized population deserving of increased awareness, understanding, and support;

(4) That educators, school districts, health-care providers, policymakers, and community organizations are encouraged to identify caregiving youth and consider appropriate accomodations, resources, and trauma-informed supports; and (5) Colorado supports continued research, data collection, and collaborative initiatives to better understand and respond to the needs of caregiving youth. Be It Further Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to State Representative Naquetta Ricks, Former. State Senator Dafna Michaelson Jenet, Governor of Colorado, the honorable Jared Polis, the Colorado Alliance for Caregiving Youth, the Colorado chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, the Denver Foundation, the American Association of Caregiving Youth, the JEKL Institute, the Colorado Respite Coalition, the Ktone Cares Foundation, YouthRoots, Black Resilience in Colorado, the Next50 Foundation, Aging While Black, the Colorado Trust, the Denver Black Reparations Council, the Colorado Black Health Collaborative, the Center for African American Health, Mahogany Mothers Circle, the Therapist of Color Collaborative, the Colorado Department of Education, the Colorado Office of School

Safety, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.

Julie McCluskie SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

James Rashad Coleman Sr. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE

Vanessa Reilly CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Esther van Mourik SECRETARY OF THE SENATE