Lawmakers in Colorado have introduced Senate Bill 26-135, a proposal that would allow voters to decide on raising the state’s revenue cap to increase funding for K–12 public education without increasing taxes. The bill was presented at the Colorado State Capitol with support from educators, legislators, and organizations such as the Colorado Education Association (CEA), The Colorado Rural Schools Alliance, United for a New Economy, and the Colorado Association of School Boards.
Currently, Colorado’s public schools face significant funding challenges. Each student is underfunded by about $4,000 annually, leading to an estimated $3.5–$4 billion shortfall every year. This gap has persisted even as the state’s population and economy have grown because of a revenue cap established in 1992 that limits how much money the state can retain and spend.
“Colorado is trying to run a 21st-century education system under a fiscal cap written in 1992,” said Senator Jeff Bridges. “And every year on the Joint Budget Committee, we feel the consequences. We make choices no one should have to make between classrooms and health care, between mental health services and transportation, between investing in our future and keeping the lights on. Not because Colorado is failing, but because the rules we operate under haven’t kept up with reality. Do we want schools funded near the bottom of the country, or do we want schools that lead the nation?”
If approved by voters in November 2026, this measure would let Colorado keep revenue above its current limit and invest it into education. It also includes provisions for stable annual increases in K–12 funding of up to 2% and requires yearly independent audits for transparency.
“In Colorado, we care about our kids. The doctor who might save my life might be in one of those classrooms,” said Representative Jennifer Bacon. “They might be in second grade right now. Which means they need science, technology, and equipment that maybe didn’t exist in 1992.”
The proposed changes aim to help schools attract qualified teachers, reduce class sizes, and provide students with necessary resources while also easing pressure on other parts of the state budget like health care or transportation.
Kevin Vick, president of CEA and an educator for over two decades said: “Colorado’s public schools are chronically underfunded because of an outdated revenue cap enacted in 1992 that limits how much revenue the state can retain and invest… As our population, economy, and student needs have grown, that cap has remained tied to an outdated formula that doesn’t reflect the needs of our schools today. This bill gives voters the opportunity to modernize that system and finally allow our state to make meaningful investments in public education.”
Wendy Bergman—a high school social studies teacher—said: “Talented, dedicated educators are leaving the profession because salaries and working conditions are simply not sufficient to support our families to thrive… Rent groceries and health care are not luxuries but on an educator worker’s salary they are increasingly out of reach. We need predictable sustainable investment in our public schools so districts can hire and retain workers students rely on.”
Genesis Lee from United for a New Economy stated: “For too long Colorado’s school funding system has failed students… especially low-income communities communities of color immigrant families… Our students deserve fully resourced schools educators deserve living wage… Modernizing Colorado’s outdated funding cap is about building an economy that works for everyone not just wealthy few.”
Denille LePlatte from The Colorado Rural Schools Alliance commented: “Students in rural mountain communities deserve same opportunities as anywhere else… But when schools are underfunded rural districts feel impact first hardest especially attracting retaining teachers… This measure important step toward giving rural schools stability resources they need serve their students.”
Nancy Hopper Vice President at The Colorado Association of School Boards added: “Colorado’s children deserve public education system fully funded supported capable meeting their needs… For more than thirty years outdated revenue cap prevented happening… This measure gives voters chance modernize cap allow state keep more dollars already collects support own children.”
Organizations supporting this effort include AFT Colorado; Stand for Children; The Colorado Children’s Campaign; along with those present at Tuesday’s announcement.
