Garfield Re-2 named Colorado Attendance Challenge Champion

District cut chronic absenteeism by more than half in four years

RIFLE, Colo. - Garfield Re-2 School District has been named one of Colorado's 18 Attendance Challenge Champions after reducing chronic absenteeism by 55.6% over four years.

The district's chronic absenteeism rate fell from 40.1% in the 2021-22 school year to 17.8% in 2025-26. That 22.3 percentage-point decline puts Garfield Re-2 well ahead of the Colorado Department of Education's goal to reduce chronic absenteeism by more than 50% by 2028.

Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing at least 10% of the school year. In 2025-26, Garfield Re-2's chronic absenteeism rate was nearly 10 percentage points below Colorado's statewide rate of 27.5%.

“This recognition belongs to our students, families and staff,” Superintendent Kirk Banghart said. “Showing up every day sounds simple, and we know there can be real barriers. Our schools have worked hard to build relationships, reach out early and help students stay connected to learning. Cutting chronic absenteeism by more than half is something our entire community can be proud of, and we also know the work continues. Every student, every day matters.”

“Garfield Re-2’s progress shows what can happen when an entire community makes attendance a priority,” said Colorado Education Commissioner Dr. Susana Córdova. “Cutting chronic absenteeism by more than half in four years is a remarkable accomplishment. It reflects the sustained commitment of educators, students and families to making sure students are in school, connected to their communities and engaged in learning. We’re proud to recognize Garfield Re-2 as an Attendance Challenge Champion and hope other communities across Colorado can learn from and build on their success.”

The recognition comes as Colorado reports broader improvement in student attendance. Chronic absenteeism declined at every grade level and across nearly every student group in 2025-26. Statewide, the chronic absenteeism rate fell from 28.4% to 27.5%, the lowest rate in four years.

Garfield Re-2's approach balances accountability with support throughout a student's PreK-12 journey. Schools set high expectations for attendance while working with families to overcome barriers that keep students from school. Family liaisons and support teams, including staff who speak families' first languages, connect families with resources and solutions.

The district also added an online learning pathway in 2025-26 to help students remain engaged in their education when a traditional school setting may not meet their needs. 

Superintendent Banghart emphasized that the award recognizes sustained progress while reinforcing the importance of continuing the work.

“Our staff members, whether they are secretaries, teachers, bus drivers or principals, take pride in building strong relationships with our students and families,” Banghart said. “Those relationships have helped us make tremendous progress, and we know there is still room to improve. When students miss school, they miss valuable instruction, important connections and opportunities to grow.”

The Colorado Department of Education will feature Garfield Re-2 and the other Attendance Challenge Champions through its website and social media channels. The district will also receive a recognition banner marking the achievement.