Colorado school authorities back off survey changes

Colorado school officials have decided to leave in place a youth risk survey – for now – despite complaints from some parents that the survey is too explicit.

The state Board of Education voted Wednesday to delay indefinitely any change to the Healthy Kids Colorado Survey. The Board was considering changing the survey to require parents to give permission before kids complete the anonymous survey.

But the Board halted the change without debate Wednesday. A panel of health officials asked for the survey collection to remain unchanged, with parents allowed to opt their children out but not required to give permission.

The debate pitted privacy advocates against health authorities who said the state needs more data on how many kids use pot now that it’s legal for adults over 21.