More than 359,000 children were reported missing in 2022, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Crime Information Center. It often takes the help of multiple organizations and citizens to bring those missing home safely. 

In celebration of those who work to find missing children, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation is holding its annual poster contest for all fifth-grade students in Colorado. All contestants are asked to draw a poster for the theme “Bringing Our Missing Children Home.”

The poster coincides with National Missing Children’s Day — an annual event since 1983 that “takes time to commemorate the valiant and unselfish acts of the many organizations and individuals who bring our missing children home,” according to a press release from CBI.

Three local winners will be chosen and honored at a CBI event next spring. The top Colorado contestant will then be entered into the U.S. Department of Justice’s national contest, with one winner being selected and flown out to the annual National Missing Children’s Day Ceremony in Washington, DC on May 22.

All Colorado posters must be submitted to the CBI by Feb. 9. The national office will not accept any entries. CBI will send the winner’s entry to the national office.

Posters should be mailed to: CBI Attn: Poster Contest, 690 Kipling St. Ste. 4000, Denver, CO 80215.