Denver Broncos Foundation, CDE and Attendance Works Launch Colorado Attendance Network
The Denver Broncos Foundation, the Colorado Department of Education and Attendance Works are jointly launching the Denver Broncos Attendance Network, a new Colorado-based initiative focused on improving student attendance and addressing chronic absenteeism.
Announced from Englewood, Colorado, the partnership links a professional sports foundation with a state education agency and a national nonprofit. The model highlights how the charitable arm of an NFL franchise can work alongside education leaders to support students long before they step onto a field.
What the network is designed to do
The Denver Broncos Attendance Network is an attendance initiative at its core. The partners say it is intended to support Colorado schools, districts and students by focusing on chronic absenteeism and the ways missed school days affect student engagement and learning.
Attendance Works, the national nonprofit partner, brings expertise in attendance improvement and advocacy to the collaboration. The Colorado Department of Education provides a direct connection to public school systems across the state, while the Denver Broncos Foundation contributes community reach and visibility.
A public-private partnership focused on attendance
The announcement pulls together three distinct organizations: the Denver Broncos Foundation, the Colorado Department of Education and Attendance Works. Each partner has a different role, but the shared goal is clearer school attendance support for Colorado students.
Rather than centering on a one-time event or giveaway, the network is described as a coordinated effort. That suggests schools and districts may receive ongoing resources, outreach or programming designed to help educators understand why students are absent and how to reconnect them with learning.
The role of each partner
The Denver Broncos Foundation, the charitable arm of the Denver Broncos, has supported community programs around Colorado. Through the new network, it is expanding its education-related footprint in a way that goes beyond football-themed activities and equipment donations.
The Colorado Department of Education’s involvement helps ensure the attendance work aligns with the state’s education priorities and can reach the school systems that need support most. Attendance Works contributes a national perspective on what works to reduce chronic absence.
What the network will focus on
Based on the partners’ announcement, the Denver Broncos Attendance Network is expected to emphasize several connected priorities:
- Reducing chronic absenteeism in Colorado schools
- Providing resources and outreach to students and families
- Supporting school and district attendance teams
- Raising public awareness about the connection between attendance and learning
Why chronic absenteeism matters
Chronic absenteeism refers to missing a significant share of the school year for any reason, including excused and unexcused absences. When students miss school consistently, they can fall behind in core subjects and lose important connections to teachers, peers and school routines.
Attendance Works has long emphasized that chronic absence is often a signal that a student or family needs additional support rather than a simple attendance rule violation. The new network is expected to reflect that approach by promoting early identification and supportive intervention in Colorado schools.
How schools and districts may participate
The initial launch did not outline specific participation criteria or a district-by-district timeline, but the network is built as a Colorado-based initiative. That means eligible schools and districts may be able to access attendance improvement resources, training or programming through the partnership.
By tying the work to the Denver Broncos brand, organizers hope to create a visible, positive message around showing up to school. The network may also help schools and families see attendance not as a punishment issue, but as a shared responsibility that affects student success.
What comes next
The partners have described the Denver Broncos Attendance Network as a new launch, indicating that implementation details, participating school lists and program materials are likely to follow. For now, the announcement establishes the foundation for a multi-year, cross-sector attendance effort in Colorado.
More information is available from the Colorado Department of Education, Attendance Works and the Denver Broncos Foundation.
