Parental Rights Before the Colorado Legislature

April 21, 2025 — Denver, Colorado — William Wagner presented testimony to the Colorado House of Representatives concerning a constitutional amendment recognizing the inalienable right of parents to direct the upbringing, education, and care of their children.

“The deeply rooted historical and legal traditions of this nation recognize what every parent knows the moment they hold their child for the first time …  It has been given to them the duty, responsibility, and right to control and direct the upbringing of their child.”

The non-partisan expert testimony offered constitutional grounding for the proposed amendment, citing long-standing U.S. Supreme Court precedent affirming that parental rights are fundamental and inalienable. This status requires the government to face strict scrutiny—the highest standard of judicial review—when interfering with a parent’s right to direct and control of the upbringing of their child. You can read the testimony here:

2025 CO Written Testimony of Prof Wm Wagner.pdf

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If adopted, Colorado would join 20 other states that have formally recognized parental rights in state law. The testimony highlighted the growing bipartisan consensus across the nation for codifying such protections, with recent actions in Indiana, Florida, and Georgia among others.