Colorado Middle School Students Compete in 2026 State-Level National Civics Bee® Competition

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 24, 2026

Colorado Middle School Students Compete in 2026 State-Level National Civics Bee® Competition
DENVER – The Colorado Chamber of Commerce Foundation today hosted the 2026 National Civics Bee Colorado State Finals presented by Kinder Morgan in partnership with the Daniels Fund, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and El Pomar Foundation. The competition aims to inspire middle schoolers to become better informed about American democracy, to engage respectfully and constructively in the community, and to build greater trust in others and institutions.

26 middle school students from across the state demonstrated their civics comprehension for a chance to win recognition, cash prizes and the opportunity to advance to the National Civics Bee competition in Washington, D.C. Students participated in a live quiz event and answered questions from judges to test their civic knowledge.

“The National Civics Bee is an inspiring reminder that civic leadership starts early,” said Colorado Chamber President and CEO Loren Furman. “These students have shown an impressive understanding of how our government works and how thoughtful participation can make a real difference in our communities. We are proud to recognize this year’s finalists and congratulate Peter Daniell on advancing to represent Colorado at the national competition.”

“The growth of the National Civics Bee in Colorado reflects the strong commitment of our regional partners and local communities to expanding civic education across the state,” said Colorado Chamber Foundation Executive Director Rachel Beck. “This year’s state finals brought together students from more regions than ever before as the program continues to expand its reach and create meaningful opportunities for civic learning. We’re grateful to the partners, sponsors, judges and educators who helped make this competition possible, and we wish Peter the best of luck representing our state on the national stage.”

“The National Civics Bee proves that when we give young people the opportunity to learn about our country and tackle real challenges in their own communities, they rise to the occasion,” said Hanna Skandera Grady, president and CEO of the Daniels Fund, founding partner of the National Civics Bee. “At a time when 80 percent of Americans say they want more civics education in our schools, these Colorado students remind us why. They aren’t just learning how our republic works. They’re preparing to strengthen it.”

Winners of the 2026 National Civics Bee Colorado State Finals include:

  • First place: Peter Daniell, Stargate Charter School, Broomfield
  • Second place: Alexandra Yao, Kent Denver
  • Third place: Archer Knickerbocker-Peyton, Kent Denver School
The judges for the event included Caroline Woodhouse with Kinder Morgan, Robert Kenney with Xcel Energy Colorado, Chad Calvert with Chevron Corporation, Carrie Tynan with the Adolph Coors Foundation and Beverly Razon with Copic. The event was emceed by Kyle Clark with 9News, and Congressman Joe Neguse delivered the keynote address.
All participants in the state competition received a tablet device as a prize from the Colorado Chamber Foundation and technology sponsor Chevron Corporation. The top three winners of the state competition received cash prizes of $1,000 for first place, $500 for second place and $250 for third place.
 The Colorado state champion will advance to the National Civics Bee Championship in Washington, D.C. held October 13-14, to compete for the national title. Prizes at the National Championship include $100,000 for the first place winner, $25,000 for second place and $15,000 for third place. This year’s program expanded to include nine regional partners across Colorado, marking the highest level of regional participation in the program’s history to date. The National Civics Bee program is the largest to date, including all 50 states, D.C. and American Samoa.
The competition will be broadcast Saturday, July 25, at 7 p.m. MDT on KTVD and available for streaming for free on the 9News app.
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TheColorado Chamber Foundation is a non-profit educational foundation whose purpose is to support programs, research, educational opportunities and other initiatives that encourage and enhance a healthy business climate. The organization works collaboratively in partnership with state business leaders to advance Colorado’s economy and local communities through forward-thinking solutions.

Visit DanielsFund.org to learn more.

 

Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day Expands to Utah

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (6/9/26)

Media Contacts:
Sean Duffy, 303.718.9049, [email protected]

Bruce Wilmsen, 720.941.4429, [email protected]

Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day Expands to Utah

Daniels Fund Initiative Has Raised $9 Million For Youth Sports in Two Years

Now entering its third year, Youth Sports Giving Day, a Colorado-born initiative founded by the Daniels Fund that has raised nearly $9 million for local youth sports organizations across the state, is expanding to Utah through a partnership with Utah-based Miller Sports + Entertainment, and the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation.

“We are thrilled to see Youth Sports Giving Day expand to Utah,” said Hanna Skandera, president and CEO of the Daniels Fund. “Every child deserves the chance to get in the game. When we remove barriers to participation, we unlock opportunities that can shape a young person’s future. We’re excited to partner with leaders across Utah to help more kids learn, grow and thrive through sports.”

The third annual Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day will launch on September 1 at Coors Field in Denver at a Colorado Rockies game. The two-week Utah campaign launches Sept. 12.

“Sports are one of the most powerful ways we can help young people build confidence, resilience, teamwork and a lifelong love of being active,” said Utah Governor Spencer Cox. “Utah Youth Sports Giving Day is an opportunity for all of us to come together and help ensure every child has the chance to play. When we invest in youth sports, we’re investing in Utah’s future.”

Youth Sports Giving Day rallies individuals, businesses and community groups across the state to support nonprofits working to expand access to youth sports.

The campaign was first launched in Colorado in 2024 by the Daniels Fund to help expand access to organized sports for young people statewide. To date, Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day has raised nearly $9 million and engaged over 240 nonprofit organizations across the state to help support youth sports. The campaign has helped purchase equipment and uniforms, grow programming and support new facilities in new communities.

Despite strong sports cultures in Colorado and Utah, too many kids are being left on the sidelines. Underserved youth face significant obstacles to participation, including:

  • Soaring costs that put league fees, equipment and travel out of reach for many families
  • Underfunded community and recreational leagues that struggle to maintain programs, attract and retain qualified coaches and secure field or facility time
  • Limited access and aging facilities that restrict opportunities to play, especially in rural communities and low-income neighborhoods

According to Project Play’s 2025 report, the average family spent $1,106 on their child’s primary sport in 2024, a 46% increase since 2019, making youth sports increasingly unaffordable for many households.

“As a foundation and as a family, we are always asking how we can help our communities thrive,” said Steve Miller, trustee of the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation. “We’re proud to support this campaign because we know that when young people have the opportunity to play sports, they build confidence, character and lasting connections, and that investment strengthens kids, families and communities across Utah.”

Research consistently shows that youth who participate in sports experience better academic and career outcomes, stronger mental and physical health and improved social-emotional skills such as teamwork, leadership and resilience. Youth Sports Giving Day is designed to close the gap between kids who have access to sports and those who do not.

To learn more, visit Youth Sports Giving Day | 9.1.2026 | ColoradoGives.org and Utah Youth Sports Giving Day | Utah Gives

About the Daniels Fund
The Daniels Fund, a private charitable foundation established by cable television pioneer Bill Daniels, provides grants to highly effective nonprofits and college scholarships to the next generation of America’s leaders. Through its Big Bets, it invests in solutions tackling some of the most complex challenges with innovations that have the power to scale. The Daniels Fund is making a Big Bet in youth sports, aiming to give one million youth the opportunity to compete in sports by 2030 and build the core life skills that increase achievement, leadership, teamwork, confidence and resilience. Visit DanielsFund.org to learn more.

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National Ethics Case Competition Awards $250,000 Prize Pool to 2026 Winners in Washington, D.C.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts: Sean Duffy, 303.718.9049, [email protected]

National Ethics Case Competition Awards $250,000 Prize Pool to 2026 Winners in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 20, 2026 — The National Ethics Case Competition (NECC) has announced the winners of its 2026 competition, awarding a total of $250,000 in prizes to top-performing teams, their advisors, and participating institutions.

Held this week in Washington, D.C., the competition brought together top student teams from universities across the country to navigate complex business and ethical dilemmas.

After advancing through multiple rounds of competition, five finalist teams competed in the championship round at The Mayflower Hotel, with solutions evaluated by a panel of leaders in business, ethics, and public policy.

  • First Place was awarded to Cornell University.
  • Second Place was awarded to New Mexico State University.
  • Third Place was awarded to the University of Denver.

The competition challenges students to analyze real-world scenarios at the intersection of the free market and ethical decision-making, applying the Bill Daniels Ethics Principles under time-constrained conditions.

“These students demonstrated exactly what Bill Daniels, one of America’s legendary entrepreneurs, believed – that the most successful leaders are those who understand that ethical conduct and business success go hand in hand,” said Hanna Skandera, President and CEO of the Daniels Fund. “Their commitment to ethical decision-making was impressive and proved that a deep understanding of business ethics is a winning free-market strategy.”

Hosted by Texas A&M University in founding partnership with the Daniels Fund, NECC continues to grow as a national platform for developing principled leaders.

“What makes NECC unique is the environment it creates,” said Kim Field, Associate Vice President for Citizenship and Service at Texas A&M University.  “Students are asked to think deeply, defend their decisions, and engage with competing perspectives in real time. That experience stays with them long after the competition ends.”

The 2026 competition brought together 18 semifinalist teams, culminating in a final round of five teams where students presented their recommendations and responded to judge questioning before a live audience.

Winners were announced during the awards ceremony, where top teams were recognized not only for their performance but for their ability to apply ethical reasoning in high-pressure, real-world scenarios.

As interest continues to grow nationwide, NECC is expanding its reach, with plans to increase participation and deepen its impact on students preparing to lead in business, government, and beyond.

About the National Ethics Case Competition (NECC)

The National Ethics Case Competition is a premier collegiate competition that challenges students to analyze complex business and ethical dilemmas and present solutions to experienced judges. Hosted by Texas A&M University in founding partnership with the Daniels Fund, NECC equips the next generation of leaders with the tools to navigate ethical challenges in a free-market economy.

ABOUT THE DANIELS FUND

The Daniels Fund was established in 2000 with a $1 billion bequest from cable television pioneer Bill Daniels. A private charitable foundation dedicated to positively impacting American life, the Fund has given $1.5 billion over its history to improve the lives of men, women and children in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.

Visit DanielsFund.org to learn more.