Colorado Student Wins National Civics Bee Championship, Takes Home $100,000 Bill Daniels National Civics Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:

Sean Duffy, 303.718.9049, [email protected]

Bruce Wilmsen, 720.941.4429, [email protected]

Colorado Student Wins National Civics Bee Championship, Takes Home $100,000 Bill Daniels National Civics Award

Peter Daniell of Stargate Charter School tops 52 finalists from across America in nationally televised competition

DENVER, October 15, 2026– Peter Daniell, a middle school student at Stargate Charter School and Broomfield resident who won Colorado’s 2026 National Civics Bee State Finals, captured the national championship Wednesday evening in Washington, D.C., earning the $100,000 Bill Daniels National Civics Award.

The Daniels Fund is the Founding Partner of the National Civics Bee.

Daniell emerged victorious from a field of 52 state and jurisdictional champions representing all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and American Samoa. The nationally televised competition, hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, tested students’ knowledge of American government, the Constitution and their ability to address real-world challenges facing their communities.

“Peter has made our entire state proud, and what a thrilling victory for a remarkable young American,” said Hanna Skandera Grady, CEO and President of the Daniels Fund. “He represents everything we love about the National Civics Bee: curiosity, hard work, a passion for our country and the courage to step up and lead. Bill Daniels believed deeply in the promise of young people, and Peter is living proof that America’s future is in great hands.”

Daniell earned his place at the national championship after winning the Colorado State Finals in July, hosted by the Colorado Chamber of Commerce Foundation in partnership with the Daniels Fund, U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and El Pomar Foundation. The state competition featured 26 middle school students from across Colorado.

The 2026 National Civics Bee was the largest in the program’s history, drawing approximately 20,000 student participants from 240 communities nationwide. The championship, broadcast live on C-SPAN, marked the culmination of local, regional and state competitions designed to inspire a new generation of informed and engaged Americans.

The competition is central to the Daniels Fund’s “Big Bet” of helping one million young Americans develop a deeper understanding of their rights, responsibilities and the principles on which the United States was founded.

Daniell’s national victory comes during a particularly meaningful year as the country celebrates America’s 250th anniversary and Colorado marks 150 years of statehood.

“There’s something especially fitting about a Colorado student winning the national championship as we celebrate these historic milestones,” Skandera Grady added. “The best way to honor America’s founding is to prepare the next generation to carry its promise forward. That’s exactly what Peter and thousands of students across the country are doing.”

 

ABOUT THE DANIELS FUND

Established in 2000 by cable television pioneer Bill Daniels, the Daniels Fund supports nonprofit organizations and provides scholarships in Colorado, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. Visit DanielsFund.org to learn more.

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Daniels Scholarship applications open: Who qualifies and why local students say to apply

Before you talk yourself out of applying for a college scholarship, Aliya and Sawyer Newell have a message: “give yourself a chance.”

Both students received the Daniels Scholarship, a four-year program that can help cover college expenses and provides support beyond paying the bills. Neither expected to be selected.

With applications open through Oct. 15 at 4 p.m. Mountain Time, here is what students and families need to know.

Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day Sets New Record, Raises $7.2 Million to Expand Access to Youth Sports

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day Sets New Record,

Raises $7.2 Million to Expand Access to Youth Sports

Third annual statewide campaign supports 349 nonprofits and more than 500,000 young athletes

DENVER (Sept. 16, 2026) — The third annual Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day campaign raised $7.2 million – surpassing last year’s record by 38 percent – to expand access to sports for kids across Colorado.

The campaign, led by the Daniels Fund and Project Play Colorado, drew 4,400 donations and engaged 349 nonprofit organizations working to expand youth sports opportunities. Running Sept. 1–15, the campaign brought together donors, sponsors and community partners to help ensure more young people can experience the joy, health and lifelong benefits of playing sports.

“For the third year, Coloradans showed up in a big way to get more kids off the sidelines and into the game,” said Hanna Skandera Grady, CEO and President of the Daniels Fund. “We’re incredibly grateful to the thousands of donors who are helping open doors for young people to  build the grit, resilience and confidence that stay with them for life.”

Community donations were boosted by more than $2 million in matching and incentive funds, including a dollar-for-dollar match for the first $1 million raised online on Sept. 1. New this year, the campaign also featured the America250 Fund, a dedicated $250,000 dollar-for-dollar match for gifts made through donor-advised funds, IRA rollovers and wire transfers.

Matching and incentive support was provided by the Daniels Fund, Alpine Bank, The Anschutz Foundation, Bank of Colorado, Boettcher Foundation, Colorado Health Foundation, Colorado Rockies, El Pomar Foundation, Gary Community Ventures, Liberty Gives, Rose Community Foundation, Suncor, UCHealth, The Weld Trust and others. The online giving platform was hosted and supported by ColoradoGives.org.

Since launching in 2024, Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day has raised $16.1 million and engaged 349 nonprofit organizations serving young people across Colorado. Funds raised through the campaign help nonprofits purchase equipment and uniforms, expand programming, provide financial assistance and create new opportunities and facilities for children and families.

Expanding Opportunities for Every Child

Colorado’s youth sports participation rate has reached 64.5%, exceeding the national Healthy People 2030 goal of 63% by the end of the decade. However, significant disparities remain.

According to the 2023–24 National Survey of Children’s Health:

  • Girls participate in sports at a rate of 61.2%, compared with 67.5% for boys.
  • Youth of color participate at a rate of 55%, compared with 72% for white youth.
  • Young people from the lowest-income households participate at a rate of 46.5%, compared with 76.8% for those in the highest-income households.
  • Youth with disabilities participate at rates approximately 10 percentage points lower than youth without disabilities.

“Colorado has made important gains in youth sports participation, but the biggest challenge is making sure those opportunities reach every child,” said Tom Farrey, executive director of Aspen Institute’s Project Play. “The gaps for lower-income families and youth, girls and kids with disabilities make clear that there is still work to do. We need to keep building a state of play where every young person feels included, supported and able to participate. The success of this campaign certainly helps fuel that goal.”

Positive sports experiences can help young people build confidence, resilience, social connection and skills that support success in school and beyond. Expanding access to sports is also an important part of addressing concerns about youth mental health, physical inactivity and childhood obesity.

The 2026 campaign launched with a Sept. 1 Colorado Rockies game at Coors Field. The campaign also helped inspire similar efforts elsewhere, including Utah’s inaugural Youth Sports Giving Day campaign, which runs Sept. 12–26.

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About Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day

Colorado Youth Sports Giving Day is an annual statewide online fundraising campaign led by the Daniels Fund and Aspen Institute’s Project Play Colorado. Launched in 2024, the campaign unites youth sports nonprofits across Colorado around a singular mission: ensuring every child has the opportunity to experience the joy, health and lifelong benefits of playing sports. To learn more visit YouthSportsGivingDay.org.

 

Media Contact:

Caitlin Jenney

GroundFloor Media

[email protected]

YouthSportsGivingDay.org

Daniels Fund to Host Free College & Financial Aid Showcase in Denver

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Sean Duffy, 303.718.9049, [email protected] 
Bruce Wilmsen, 720.941.4429, [email protected]

Daniels Fund to Host Free College & Financial Aid Showcase in Denver

Featuring Scholarship Providers and Financial Aid Experts

A Critical Opportunity During Scholarship Season

DENVER — [August 18, 2026] — As scholarship deadlines approach, the Daniels Fund will host a free, half-day event to help high school students and families navigate the path to college and financial aid.

The College & Financial Aid Showcase will take place Saturday, August 29, from 8:00–11:00 a.m. at the CSU Spur Campus (Hydro Building), 4777 National Western Drive, Denver.

The Showcase offers high school juniors, seniors, and their parents a hands-on opportunity to get clear, reliable information, ask questions, and connect directly with scholarship providers, college admissions representatives and financial aid professionals.

“Scholarship season is here, and the College & Financial Aid Showcase is the perfect chance for students and families to connect directly with scholarship providers and universities, and get real answers to their questions,” said Hanna Skandera Grady, President and CEO of the Daniels Fund. “We want this event to inspire students to take that all-important next step, because every application is a door that can open to college and a bright future.”

Dozens of scholarship organizations and universities will be on hand, including the Boettcher Foundation, Daniels Fund, Denver Scholarship Foundation, Latin American Education Foundation, Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation, Positive Athlete, and many more.

Eighteen universities from Colorado and beyond will also participate.

In addition, five attending high school students will be randomly selected to receive a free Apple MacBook Neocourtesy of Alpine Bank.

Attendance is free. Students may register in advance at www.danielsfund.org/2026-showcase or on-site the day of the event.

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About the Daniels Scholarship Program

The Daniels Scholarship Program, one of the most comprehensive and generous in the country, provides the opportunity for motivated students to receive up to the full cost of attendance at any accredited nonprofit college or university in the United States. Selection criteria for the Daniels Scholarship include strength of character, leadership potential, commitment to serving their community, academic performance or promise, well-rounded personality and emotional maturity and stability. Applications for the Scholarship are open until October 15, 2026, at 4 p.m. MDT.   More information is available at www.danielsfund.org/scholarships.

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. Visit DanielsFund.org to learn more.

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.