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DENVER – With two weeks remaining before the essay submission deadline, the Colorado Chamber of Commerce Foundation is calling all middle schoolers to participate in the fourth annual 2026 National Civics Bee. This year’s program has expanded to include ten regional partners across Colorado, marking the highest level of regional participation in the program’s history to date. New participating organizations include partners in Durango, Carbondale, Fort Morgan and Grand Junction.
“With ten regional partners participating statewide, we are proud to have the most regions represented in the program’s history, making this year’s program our largest and most geographically diverse to date,” said Rachel Beck, executive director of the Colorado Chamber of Commerce Foundation. “We are excited to bring this important program to more areas across Colorado, expanding opportunities for students to engage in civics and contribute to their communities through the National Civics Bee.”
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. The deadline for submission is February 3, 2026.
Regional competitions are set to begin in March 2026. Finalists from regional competitions will be invited to take part in the state-level competition hosted by the Colorado Chamber Foundation in Denver on July 24, 2026. 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
- NEW: Boys & Girls Club of La Plata County (Durango)
- Buena Vista Chamber of Commerce
- NEW: Carbondale Chamber of Commerce and Youthentity
- Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
- Eastern Plains Chamber of Commerce
- NEW: Fort Morgan Kids at Their Best
- NEW: Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce
- Lamar Community College
Organized in partnership with the Daniels Fund, iCivics, 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. The Adolph Coors Foundation is a new partner in the program this year, with its support aiding the programs expansion. 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.