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The Colorado Seal of Biliteracy, officially the Seal of Biliteracy for High School Diplomas, is a diploma endorsement Colorado school districts may grant to graduates who show proficiency in English and in another language. It was created by Senate Bill 17-123 in 2017, and the Colorado Department of Education reviews and lists the districts that offer it, about 90 today. Colorado is one of the few states with a coursework route: four years of one language with a 3.0 GPA. This guide covers the English and world language requirements, the approved tests and scores, and how districts take part.
Table of contents
What the Colorado Seal of Biliteracy Is
Quick answer: the Colorado Seal of Biliteracy is an optional district endorsement on the high school diploma, under C.R.S. 22-7-1009.5. A district “MAY GRANT” it to students who complete the required English courses with at least a 3.0 GPA and a qualifying English score, and who show proficiency in another language by AP, IB, a four-year course sequence or an approved test.
Key Facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Administered by | Districts; CDE’s Office of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education reviews and lists them |
| Law | SB 17-123, C.R.S. 22-7-1009.5, in effect August 9, 2017 |
| English | Required ELA courses with a 3.0 GPA, plus SAT, ACT, AP or IB English |
| World language | AP 3, IB 4, four years with a 3.0 GPA, or an approved test (mostly Intermediate Mid) |
| Participation | Optional; about 90 districts and schools listed |
| Languages | Includes American Sign Language |
Colorado Seal of Biliteracy Requirements
English: all required English language arts courses with a GPA of “at least 3.0,” plus one of: SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 470 or higher; ACT English and Reading both 25 or higher; AP English Language or Literature 3 or higher; IB English A 4 or higher.
World language: one of AP 3 or higher, IB 4 or higher, “Successfully completing a 4-year high school course of study of a single World Language with an overall grade-point average of at least 3.0,” or a passing score on a nationally recognized test.
A district may also use its own assessment or a body of evidence such as a portfolio. CDE’s criteria require that it cover all four domains, with “50% must assess literacy… 50% must assess oral language.”
Approved Tests and Scores (2026 List)
| Assessment | Minimum |
|---|---|
| AAPPL Form B | “I-4 in all domains” |
| STAMP 4S, Avant SuperLanguage | 5 |
| ACTFL OPI plus reading, listening and writing tests | Intermediate Mid |
| ALIRA (Latin) | I-4, with writing, listening and speaking also assessed |
| AP | 3 |
| IB Standard or Higher Level | 4 (not ab initio) |
| NEWL | 3 |
| DELE, DELF | B1 |
| ASLPI; SLPI | 2; Intermediate Mid |
| ALTA | ILR 1+ / ALTA 6 |
Neither the statute nor CDE’s minimum requirements set an ACTFL level; the approved list mostly uses Intermediate Mid, while accepting AP 3. How these tests compare with other states is in Seal of Biliteracy test.
How Colorado Districts Take Part
A district submits its criteria to CDE for review and is added to the list of participating districts and schools. Students earn the seal through their district, so the first question for a family is whether their district participates. CDE has not published a statewide count of seals awarded.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Colorado Seal of Biliteracy requirements?
Required English courses with a 3.0 GPA and a qualifying SAT, ACT, AP or IB English score, plus AP 3, IB 4, four years of one language with a 3.0 GPA, or an approved test in another language.
Can you earn the Colorado seal with coursework?
Yes. Four years of a single world language with an overall GPA of at least 3.0 qualifies.
What AAPPL or STAMP score does Colorado accept?
AAPPL Form B I-4 in all domains, or STAMP 4S 5.
Does every Colorado district offer the seal?
No. It is optional; about 90 districts and schools are listed by CDE.
Does ASL count?
Yes. The statute includes American Sign Language, assessed with the ASLPI or SLPI.
Related Resources
- Seal of Biliteracy Test
- Utah Seal of Biliteracy
- What Is the Seal of Biliteracy?
- How to Get the Seal of Biliteracy
- Seal of Biliteracy by State
Conclusion
Colorado’s seal is flexible on the language side, with a coursework route most states do not offer, and demanding on the English side, with a 3.0 GPA and a college-entrance score. Because it is optional, the seal a student can earn depends on the district, which is the first thing to check.
Sources: CDE, High School Diploma Endorsement for Biliteracy; CDE, approved assessments (2026); SB 17-123. Verified September 28, 2026.
Four Years of Class Is Not Four Years of Talking
A four-year sequence with a 3.0 GPA earns the Colorado seal, but it does not guarantee the language. Students who learn a language in class usually reach reading before speaking, because a class of twenty-five leaves each student a few minutes of conversation a day. That is the Speaking Time Gap.
Some schools add speaking practice that does not depend on class time. Telo AI is one example: short conversation sessions in English, Spanish or French that adapt to each student’s level and ask follow-up questions instead of accepting one-word answers. See how that works across a school year.
The seal certifies the courses. Conversation is what makes the language usable after graduation.
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