Sunita Somvanshi
Colorado’s school attendance improved again this year, a positive sign that the state is moving in the right direction after the pandemic disrupted education nationwide. But the numbers also show a stubborn problem: more than one in four Colorado students remain chronically absent, and certain groups bear the burden far more heavily than others.
The Colorado Department of Education reported on August 27 that chronic absenteeism—defined as missing at least 10 percent of school days—fell to 27.5 percent. That’s down from 28.4 percent the year before. The decline marks the lowest rate in four years.
Put that in real numbers: 233,281 students were classified as chronically absent. That’s 11,341 fewer students than the previous year. The statewide attendance rate climbed from 91.4 percent to 91.5 percent. Small improvements, but improvements nonetheless.
However, the broader picture reveals disparities that don’t fit into headline statistics. Chronic absenteeism among unhoused students reached 57.5 percent. Among Indigenous students, the rate was 42.2 percent. For Latino students, it was 37.2 percent. White students showed 20.4 percent. The gaps are stark, and they compound disadvantages these students already face.
High school seniors represented the highest chronic absenteeism rate among grade levels at 41 percent. That’s concerning because seniors are in their final year of education. Missing that much school affects college readiness, job training prospects, and future earning potential.
The state established baseline understanding before the pandemic. In 2018–19, chronic absenteeism stood at 22.5 percent. The pandemic drove it to 35.5 percent in 2021–22. Now, after three years of recovery efforts, Colorado reached 27.5 percent. That’s still above pre-pandemic levels by five full percentage points.
Why students stay home varies. Transportation barriers affect rural students. Housing instability keeps some from attending consistently. Mental health challenges, bullying, and family circumstances all play roles.
The improvement is real. The distance still to travel is also real. Colorado has brought the rate down, but 27.5 percent remains above the pre-pandemic baseline. Getting back to 22.5 percent would require sustained effort targeting the students most affected.
