The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) has announced the opening of the 2026 Colorado and National Radon Video and Poster contest for students. The contest aims to increase awareness about the dangers of indoor radon exposure. Students can win cash prizes, and their work may be shared nationwide.
“Radon is invisible, but the risk isn’t — and that’s where Colorado students come in,” said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director of the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. “Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among people who don’t smoke, and this contest lets students use their creativity to help families understand their risk, test their homes, and take simple steps to stay safe.”
Participants in Colorado can enter either a poster or video contest. Winners from the state will have their entries submitted to a national competition. State-level winners receive $300 for first place, $200 for second place, and $100 for third place. Teachers whose students win also receive $100 each. Winning entries will be displayed on CDPHE’s website and social media platforms.
Eligibility for the poster contest is limited to students ages 9-14. The video contest is open to those aged 14-18. Eligible participants must be enrolled in a public, private, territorial, Tribal, Department of Defense or home school program or belong to a sponsoring club such as scouting or 4-H clubs. Each student may submit only one entry. More information about how to enter is available on CDPHE’s website.
The annual contest is coordinated by CDPHE in partnership with the Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Submissions are due by April 30, 2026.
Radon is an odorless radioactive gas that can accumulate indoors over time and poses significant health risks; it is responsible for around 500 lung cancer deaths each year in Colorado alone. Families are encouraged to test their homes for radon using kits that are currently available free of charge from CDPHE while supplies last at www.coloradoradon.info.
Further details about radon safety measures, discounted testing kits, certified contractors, or contest specifics can be found on CDPHE’s website or by calling Colorado’s Radon Hotline at 1-800-846-3986.
For questions regarding the contest itself, contact Margaret Horton at margaret.horton@state.co.us.
