Yes, the Colorado Education Association (CEA)—the state’s largest teachers union, often referred to in context as the Colorado Teachers Union—has been directly tied to several instances of teacher-led walkouts, protests, and strikes that resulted in school closures or disruptions. The CEA is the primary statewide union representing nearly 40,000 educators in Colorado public schools. Local affiliates, such as the Colorado Springs Education Association (CSEA), operate under its umbrella. Key examples include:

• In October 2025, hundreds of teachers in Colorado Springs School District 11 (D11) participated in a one-day strike organized by the CSEA. This was in protest of the district’s decision to end a long-standing collective bargaining agreement (master agreement) with the union, which expired earlier that year. The action involved picketing at schools like Palmer High School, drew support from educators statewide (including CEA calls for participation), and led to significant demonstrations with over 1,000 people involved. It marked the first teacher strike in El Paso County in about 50 years. The CEA supported and highlighted this action as a defense of educators’ voices and public education.
• In March 2025, the CEA organized a “No More Cuts: Statewide Day of Action” rally at the Colorado State Capitol to protest potential education funding cuts. An estimated 2,000 teachers participated, leading multiple districts (including Denver Public Schools, Boulder Valley, and Adams 12) to cancel classes or close schools due to teacher absences. This caused widespread disruptions as educators attended the protest.
• Historically, the CEA has been involved in earlier actions, such as the 2018 statewide teacher walkouts (sometimes called a “strike” in coverage), where teachers protested underfunding, low pay, and pension issues. Teachers walked out of classrooms, rallied at the Capitol, and caused school closures in various districts, with CEA leadership (e.g., then-president Kerrie Dallman) publicly advocating for these efforts.

These events typically focus on issues like funding, bargaining rights, pay, and working conditions rather than unrelated political causes. The CEA often frames them as advocacy for students and public education, though critics (including some op-eds and posts) describe them as politically motivated or disruptive to students.No evidence points to CEA involvement in non-education-related walkouts (e.g., immigration or other national protests) in Colorado schools based on available reports. Recent national or local events (like 2026 immigration-related protests) appear separate from teacher union actions.

Yes, there have been multiple student-led school walkouts in Colorado to protest ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and related immigration enforcement actions, particularly in early 2026 amid nationwide demonstrations.These appear to stem from a “National Shutdown” or “ICE OUT” movement, often in response to specific incidents like federal agent actions (e.g., deaths in Minneapolis sparking broader outrage), aggressive ICE operations under the Trump administration, and calls for “no school, no work, no shopping” on certain days.Key examples from recent reports (primarily January-February 2026):

• Denver area (e.g., January 30, 2026): Hundreds to thousands of students walked out, marched to the Colorado State Capitol, and joined protests. Over 1,000 Denver Public Schools teachers called out (some participating), leading to disruptions or partial closures in districts like Denver, Aurora, Cherry Creek, and others. Students chanted anti-ICE slogans and carried signs.
• Aurora: Student walkouts occurred, with some turning disruptive (e.g., reports of violence, traffic blocking, and fights in one instance).
• Pueblo (February 12, 2026): Hundreds of high school students from multiple schools (Districts 60 and 70) walked out to protest ICE actions nationwide and locally.
• Fort Collins (early February 2026): Hundreds of students from middle and high schools (e.g., Rocky Mountain High School) participated in walkouts and marches, including to Colorado State University.
• Other locations: Walkouts reported in Greeley (Early College Academy), Colorado Springs (Liberty High School), Thornton (Skyview Campus), and Grand Junction area (District 51, where some student-athletes faced ineligibility for participating).

These were largely student-organized, with marches, chants, and gatherings at capitols or public spaces. Some districts closed schools or adjusted operations due to teacher absences (call-outs) and student participation.Regarding the Colorado Education Association (CEA) (the main teachers union):

• The CEA and local affiliates (e.g., Boulder Valley Education Association, Jefferson County Education Association) communicated to members that certain protest days (like January 30) were not authorized days of action for official union involvement or excused leave.
• Despite this, significant numbers of teachers called out sick or absent, contributing to staffing shortages and school disruptions/closures in places like Denver, Boulder Valley, Aurora, and others.
• Reports and social media (e.g., from critics) suggest some union locals or members encouraged or coordinated participation, with teachers attending protests or supporting student actions, though not as official CEA-endorsed strikes.
• No direct evidence shows the CEA formally organized or called for these specific ICE-related walkouts (unlike their role in past education-funding protests). The actions seem more grassroots/national, with teachers joining individually or via informal networks.

Overall, these walkouts disrupted classes in various districts but were framed by participants as solidarity against perceived harmful immigration policies, while critics (including some parents and conservative outlets) described them as politicization of schools or indoctrination. No statewide teacher-led strike tied directly to the CEA appears to have occurred specifically for ICE protests.