George Washington and Thomas Jefferson said that the backbone of our democracy is an enlightened citizenry. For thousands of Colorado high school students that begins with knowing the U.S. Constitution inside and out.

"Surprising as it seems they can quote the Constitution by heart. They can quote all 85 of the federalist papers by heart. And if we can get 17-year-olds to do that our society is benefitted beyond description," said Les Volpe, a local attorney.

Could you have done that as a junior in high school? As exceptional as it sounds, it happens all the time thanks to a program called "We the People, the Citizen and the Constitution."

"We have found that some 27 million students have been a part of this program at the elementary, middle, and high school level," said Edna Sutton, a retired Denver Public School teacher.

It is a nationwide program that is offered to every student. It is funded by Congress, and coordinated in Colorado by The Center of Education in Law and Democracy. In short, it is a regular class about the constitution.

Natalie Ritter, a junior at Denver's East High School, puts it this way: "We have a very clear understanding of the Constitution and its purpose and what we can do as citizens."

"A lot of high schools go through the motions, but this class you take something away from it, and that is a good feeling to have," said Coulter Freyre, also a junior at East High.

Among the countless people who give their time to make the program a success is local lawyer Les Volpe, who has acted as a judge during competitions for 20 years.

"He does everything he can to support this program because he believes so much in it," said Sutton.

He has just brought our level of understanding overall up a notch and it is great to have him with us," said Freyre.

"When you compete it is like having a conversation with him. You feel formal but it is also very relaxed," said junior Maggie Bailey.

Volpe believes it is his duty as a lawyer to pass along his knowledge to make for a better society.

"They are not all going to agree with each other and that is the good news. They leave here free to think about the precedent and that's the way it should be in a democratic society," said Volpe.

Volpe's commitment seems to be paying off. Colorado students have won the national "We the People" competition three years in a row.