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DENVER – The Colorado Chamber of Commerce Foundation today announced the opening of essay submissions for the fourth annual 2026 National Civics Bee. The initiative encourages young Americans to engage in civics and contribute to their communities. The state chamber has partnered with eight regional partners across Colorado to facilitate the program.
“With the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding coming up in 2026, there’s no better time to encourage the next generation to engage with civics and the democratic process,” said Colorado Chamber Foundation Executive Director Rachel Beck. “The National Civics Bee is a powerful way to inspire young Coloradans to be active participants in government and help shape the future of our communities. We’re excited to bring this program back again this year to empower the next generation of leaders and ensure that our democracy continues to thrive for the next 250 years and beyond.”
Middle school students are invited to compete with their peers at the regional and state level. Students will participate in a live quiz event and answer questions from judges to test their civic knowledge. Participating students will flex their civics comprehension for a chance to win recognition, cash prizes and the opportunity to advance to the National Civics Bee competition in Washington, D.C.
Regional competitions will occur in early 2026. Finalists from regional competitions will be invited to take part in the state-level competition hosted by the Colorado Chamber Foundation in Denver. The finalists and top winners will receive various prizes, including $1,000 cash for the first place student. The Colorado state champion will advance to the National Civics Bee competition in Washington, D.C., in the fall of 2026 to compete for the national title. Prizes at the National Championship include $100,000 for the first place winner, $25,000 for second place, and $15,000 for third place.
Regional partners for the 2026 National Civics Bee are as follows:
- Alamosa County Chamber of Commerce Foundation
- Arvada Chamber of Commerce
- Brush Area Chamber of Commerce
- Buena Vista Chamber of Commerce
- Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
- Eastern Plains Chamber of Commerce
- Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce
- Lamar Community College
Additional regional partners may be included at a later date.
Organized in partnership with the Daniels Fund and the Civic Trust of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the competitions across Colorado inspire middle schoolers to become better informed about American democracy, engage respectfully and constructively in the community, and build greater trust in others and institutions. Last year, over 300 students across the state submitted essays to enter the regional competitions.
Students can enter and submit an essay to any location that is near them between now and February 3, 2026. More information on the regional and statewide civics bee competitions can be found here: https://cochamber.com/foundation/civicsbee/.
For more information on the 2026 National Civics Bee, please visit https://civics.uschamberfoundation.org/national-civics-bee.
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The Colorado Chamber Foundation is a non-profit educational foundation whose purpose is to support programs, research, educational opportunities and other initiatives that encourage and enhance a healthy business climate. The organization works collaboratively in partnership with state business leaders to advance Colorado’s economy and local communities through forward-thinking solutions.