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DENVER – Middle school students across Colorado competed in the 2026 National Civics Bee® regional competitions throughout the state in recent weeks, with finalists advancing to the state-level competition hosted by the Colorado Chamber of Commerce Foundation in partnership with the Daniels Fund and U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
“We’re proud to continue working with our regional partners across Colorado, strengthening our shared commitment to fostering civic engagement for the next generation,” said Colorado Chamber Foundation Executive Director Rachel Beck. “Each regional civics bee showcases the growth of this program and the impressive level of knowledge demonstrated by students. By investing in civic education, we’re helping prepare young Coloradans to be informed, engaged participants in our democracy. Congratulations to this year’s regional finalists and we look forward to welcoming them to Denver to compete for the state title!”
This year’s program expanded to include nine regional partners across Colorado, marking the highest level of regional participation in the program’s history to date. Participating partners include the Alamosa Chamber Foundation, Greater Arvada Chamber of Commerce, League of Women Voters of Chaffee County and Buena Vista Chamber of Commerce, Youthentity and Carbondale Chamber of Commerce, Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, Eastern Plains Chamber of Commerce, Kids at Their Best, Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce and Lamar Community College.
The competitions across Colorado are meant to inspire middle schoolers to become better informed about American democracy, to engage respectfully and constructively in the community, and to build greater trust in others and institutions.
“Civic engagement starts at home. When students see leadership in action in their own communities, it changes how they see their role in the world,” said Hanna Skandera, president and CEO of the Daniels Fund, founding partner of the National Civics Bee. “We’re proud to stand with our regional partners to inspire the next generation of informed, engaged leaders.”
Over 570 students across the state submitted essays to enter the regional competitions, the second-highest number of essay submissions in the country. Students participated in live quiz events and were pressed on their civics knowledge by panels of judges. The top three students from each competition received cash prizes, recognition, and the opportunity to compete in the statewide championship hosted by the Colorado Chamber of Commerce Foundation in partnership with El Pomar Foundation and presented by Kinder Morgan in Denver on July 24, 2026.
Finalists invited to participate in the state-level National Civics Bee competition include:
- Alexandra Y., Kent Denver School (Denver Metro)
- Archer K., Kent Denver School (Denver Metro)
- Aryanna E., Fruita Middle School (Grand Junction)
- Ava S., Century Middle School (Arvada)
- Avery D., Sanford Junior/Senior High School (Alamosa)
- Cayson C., Campo Undivided High School (Lamar)
- Elsie R., Buena Vista Middle School (Buena Vista)
- Eva R., Brush Middle School (Fort Morgan)
- Ezekiel P., Sanford School District 6-J (Alamosa)
- Hannah D., Yuma Middle School (Fort Morgan)
- Hannah S., Merit Academy (Eastern Plains)
- Harrison N., Kent Denver School (Denver Metro)
- Hope B., Liberty Common Junior High School (Arvada)
- JoeyMae L., Caprock Academy (Grand Junction)
- Josephine C., The Classical Academy: College Pathways (Eastern Plains)
- Jude G., Glenwood Springs Middle School (Carbondale)
- Kaila D., Darren Patterson Christian Academy (Buena Vista)
- Liam P., Darren Patterson Christian Academy (Buena Vista)
- Makayla P., Caprock Academy (Grand Junction)
- Natalie S., Fort Morgan Middle School (Fort Morgan)
- Peter D., Stargate Charter School (Arvada)
- Paul Q., Sierra Grande School (Alamosa)
- Sylvie F., Steamboat Springs Middle School (Carbondale)
- Sydney Z., Lewis-Palmer Middle School (Eastern Plains)
- Townes R., Campo Undivided High School (Lamar)
- Violet B., Steamboat Springs Middle School (Carbondale)
- Waylon R., Campo Undivided High School (Lamar)
All participants in the state competition will receive a tablet device as a prize from the Colorado Chamber Foundation and sponsor Chevron Corporation. The top three winners of the state competition will receive cash prizes of $1,000 for first place, $500 for second place, and $250 for third place.
The Colorado state champion will advance to the National Civics Bee Championship in Washington, D.C. held this fall, 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.
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.