January Safe2Tell data reflects emerging student safety challenges, including AI misuse

Feb. 10, 2026 (DENVER) – The Colorado Attorney General’s Office today released the January 2026 Safe2Tell monthly report (PDF), showing continued use of the program to report concerns related to student safety, mental health, and emerging issues such as the misuse of artificial intelligence in school communities across Colorado.

In January 2026, Safe2Tell received 2,555 reports statewide. That brings the total number of reports for the 2025–26 school year to 16,784. Report volume was very similar to January 2025, reflecting consistent awareness of and trust in the Safe2Tell reporting system.

Key facts from the January 2026 Safe2Tell report:

  • The most frequently reported concerns were school safety (16.3%), mental health (15.5%), bullying and harassment (14.9%), and substance use (10.9%).
  • Duplicate reports accounted for 14.3% of submissions, reflecting a healthy reporting culture in which multiple individuals raise the same concern.
  • False reports remained low at 1.5%.

One example from January reports illustrates how emerging technologies are creating new safety challenges for students. In one report, a student was found to have posted AI-generated, inappropriate images of peers online. School officials investigated the report, instructed the student to remove the images, notified parents, and issued disciplinary action.

“Safe2Tell not only allows students and community members to report concerns, it also helps us monitor trends and identify emerging issues in schools across Colorado,” said Attorney General Phil Weiser. “As technology evolves, including the increasing misuse of tools like artificial intelligence, Safe2Tell provides critical insight so schools and local partners can respond quickly and appropriately.”

The January data shows that while many reports reflect ongoing concerns such as school safety and mental health, Safe2Tell also provides visibility into how student behavior and risks are changing as technology becomes a larger part of students’ daily lives.

“Every report gives Safe2Tell a clearer picture of what students are facing in real time,” said Stacey Scardino, Safe2Tell Director. “By using those reports to spot patterns early, Safe2Tell helps schools take proactive steps to protect students and connect them with support before problems escalate.”

Additional examples from January 2026 Safe2Tell reports reflect both ongoing and evolving issues affecting students. In another report, a student was believed to be experiencing abuse at home, arriving at school with visible bruises and expressing thoughts of self-harm. School administrators contacted the student’s parents and the Department of Human Services, and the student is now receiving counseling services.

A full breakdown of this month’s data is available in the Safe2Tell January 2026 Monthly Report (PDF). Definitions for each reporting category can be found in the Safe2Tell Report Categorization Guide (PDF).

About Safe2Tell

Safe2Tell is Colorado’s anonymous reporting system for concerns about the safety and well-being of students. Safe2Tell is not an emergency response unit or a mental health counseling provider. Instead, it serves as an information pathway for distributing anonymous reports to local law enforcement and school officials, as required by state law.

How to submit a report

Reports can be submitted 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 1-877-542-SAFE (7233), visiting Safe2Tell.org (opens new tab), texting S2TCO to 738477, or using the Safe2Tell mobile app available in the Apple App Store and Google Play.

###

Media Contact:
Mallory Boyce
Communications Specialist
720-508-6787 (office)
Mallory.Boyce@coag.gov