As of September 2024, all women’s bathrooms at Fossil Ridge High School offer free pads and tampons for menstruating students.

The new supplies are thanks to the latest state law that requires school districts to provide free menstrual supplies to all menstruating students by the summer of 2028. The dispensers are being provided in all Poudre School District middle and high schools. According to the PSD district, one in four people miss school due to the lack of access to supplies during their periods.

“It’s a human need for half of the population,” said junior Alaina Dietrich.

In an email PSD will soon send out, they believe the provision of menstrual products will promote health, dignity, and education equality for all menstruating students.

“It’s a really good resource for people who do need them,” said senior Ruby Allen.

Accessing these products is often challenging for families with limited incomes, as products can be expensive.

“I’m glad we actually have actual systems,” said junior Lily Jones.

The new law gives $100,000 to the Colorado Department of Education for the grant program for rural school districts that struggle. This expands eligibility for the Menstrual Hygiene Products Accessibility grant program.

“[The grant is] people trying to make an effort to these things to be more accessible,” said Dietrich.