Spelling Bee

The Denver Post Community Foundation, sponsor of the Colorado State Spelling Bee, has released dates for the 2027 Spelling Bee. On this page you will find calendar of deadlines and events, as well as restrictions regarding student eligibility and State Spelling Bee rules.

The State Spelling Bee is primarily for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students; however, younger age groups may also participate. Additional requirements:

The speller MUST attend a school that is officially enrolled with Scripps National Spelling Bee.
The speller MUST NOT have passed beyond the 8th grade or reached their 15th birthday on or before August 31, 2026.
The speller, their parents, educators, relatives, or acquaintances MUST NOT have obtained a copy of the 2027 School or District Pronouncer Guide for use in studying.
Each DISTRICT may enter one student for each 2,500 or fraction thereof. PSD can enter 11 students based on district enrollment.

Please be aware that the pronouncer and judges will not entertain root word questions, and that the judges are in complete control of the competition. Their decision will be final on ALL questions.

Important Note:

Students do not need to register for the State Spelling Bee at this time. After the District Spelling Bee, the 11 best performing students will be sent to the State Spelling Bee and the District will cover their registration costs.

For any issues with the SpellingBee.com website (enrollment, access to documents, etc.), please review FAQs or contact support.

If you have any questions specifically for the PSD District Spelling Bee team, please contact Amber Linnenburger at amberl@psdschools.org.

Deadlines & Events

December 11, 2026 - Registration Deadline

Register for the Scripps National Spelling Bee in advance of this date in order to gain access to SpellingBee.com resources.

For more information on holding your school spelling bee, the SpellingBee.com website has excellent resources including the School Spelling Bee Checklist and Suggested Rules. For any issues with the SpellingBee.com website (enrollment, access to documents, etc.), please review FAQs or contact support.

One winner from each school spelling bee may advance to the District Written Spelling Bee Test. Send winning student name and grade to Curriculum & Instruction Office Manager, Amber Linnenburger: amberl@psdschools.org.

School bee champions should study the 4,000-word Words of the Champions guide for the district written and oral bee. This guide is accessible when logged into SpellingBee.com. It is highly encouraged that you share the additional SpellingBee.com study tips with your school’s champion as well.

January 11, 2027 (week of) - General District Written Instructions Provided

January 15, 2027 - District Written Spelling Bee Test

Please note that there is no alternative date for this.

School Coordinators will receive a video link, answer sheet template, and answer key on the morning of Friday, January 15th for the written test to be taken at their school on that date.

Scan and email the completed answer sheet to the Curriculum & Instruction Office Manager at amberl@psdschools.org

Curriculum staff will review District Written Spelling Bee Test scans from schools and determine the top performing students.

January 19, 2027 - Winners of Written Spelling Bee Test announced via email

January 29, 2027 @ 12pm - District Oral Spelling Bee

The in-person spelling bee held at the JSSC Boardroom, televised on PSD TV.

Arrive beginning at 12pm, the Bee will officially start at 1pm. Back-up date: 2/5/2027. All students advancing to the State Bee will receive District certificates. The winner of the District Bee will also receive an engraved trophy, presented to them at a Board of Education meeting in spring 2027.

February 12, 2027 - State Bee Entry Form Submission Deadline

February 17, 2027 - State Spelling Bee

February 19, 2027 - The State’s top spellers announced

March 6, 2027 - State Spelling Bee at Sturm Hall on University of Denver Campus

April 13 or 27, 2027 (TBD) - Board of Education Meeting Trophy Presentation

May 31-June 4, 2027 - Scripps National Spelling Bee

Spelling Bee Support

SpellingBee.com FAQs & Support

For any issues with the SpellingBee.com website (enrollment, access to documents, etc.), please review their FAQs or contact SpellingBee.com support directly:

PSD Support

If you have any questions specifically for the PSD District Spelling Bee team, please contact Curriculum & Instruction Office Manager, Amber Linnenburger at amberl@psdschools.org.

SpellingBee.com Key Resources

PSD FAQs

Where can I find spelling bee dates and deadlines?

Who can participate in the spelling bee?

The State Spelling Bee is primarily for 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students; however, younger age groups may also participate. Additional requirements:

The speller MUST attend a school that is officially enrolled with Scripps National Spelling Bee.
The speller MUST NOT have passed beyond the 8th grade or reached their 15th birthday on or before August 31, 2026.
The speller, their parents, educators, relatives, or acquaintances MUST NOT have obtained a copy of the 202 School or District Pronouncer Guide for use in studying.
Each DISTRICT may enter one student for each 2,500 or fraction thereof. PSD can enter 11 students based on district enrollment.

My school wants to participate in the spelling bee, but we do not have a pronouncer. What are our options?

Our school's winner is out sick or unavailable for the district written bee date. Is there an alternate date?

Unfortunately, no. Offering the test on any other date could compromise the integrity of the process. Similar to State Bee protocols, the Written Bee test must be taken on the date specified, barring school closure. If the school champion is unavailable to participate on that date, you may designate an alternate (e.g. a second-place finisher) to take the Written Bee test on the district written bee date. That alternate would then be invited to the District Oral Bee if they qualify.