Colorado teacher of year nominations are open through the Colorado Department of Education.

The state agency provided this nomination form to submit nominations that recognize exceptional teachers for the state’s 2027 Teacher of the Year.

“The Teacher of the Year program recognizes educators who demonstrate excellence in teaching and positively impact their students, communities and schools,” the Colorado Department of Education noted in its call for nominations.

The nomination process is open to anyone in Colorado and nominators can submit more than one teacher for this award. Once the nomination window closes on March 20, nominees will be invited to begin the 2027 Teacher of the Year application process. The application will be open on March 2 and close on April 13, and the department will again host virtual office hours to support applicants.

The department will announce its 2027 Teacher of the Year semi-finalists on May 22, finalists in early September, and the winner will be announced in the fall.

Eligible nominees must be public school teachers working in state-accredited K-12 schools and plan to continue teaching throughout the 2027-28 school year.

“Colorado’s teachers make an extraordinary difference in classrooms and communities every day,” said Education Commissioner Dr. Susana Córdova. “Building on last year’s strong engagement, we are excited to open nominations and invite Coloradans to recognize the educators making a difference across our state.”

“Being selected as Colorado’s Teacher of the Year has been a tremendous honor,” said 2026 Teacher of the Year Stephen Paulson. “The experience has challenged and uplifted me in meaningful ways, and I encourage educators to take part in the process and celebrate the difference they make in their students’ lives and in their communities.”

“We are proud to partner in the Colorado Teacher of the Year program and lift up the extraordinary commitment of educators across our state,” said Boettcher Foundation Vice President of Grants & Programs Tiffany Anderson. “Teachers have a profound impact on students and communities, and this program is an important way to honor that work. We encourage Coloradans to nominate a teacher who has made a meaningful difference.”

The Colorado Teacher of the Year program is sponsored by theBoettcher Foundation and supported by the Colorado Education Association, Adams State University, Blue Bell Ice Cream, and Colorado PTA.