In 2024, the Colorado State Legislature and Governor Polis made a critical commitment to our public school students. By passing the updated school funding formula, Colorado made a historic shift in its funding model—the first major update in more than thirty years. The previous formula was outdated, overly complex, and often favored wealthier districts over those serving students with greater instructional needs.

In the wake of a challenging budget forecast, it is critical that we uphold our commitment to Colorado students and school districts by ensuring a sustainable, predictable implementation of this formula. Speaker of the House Julie McCluskie has recently shared proposed legislation that strikes that critical balance, moving forward with increased funding for schools while recognizing the state’s fiscal constraints.

This proposal represents a significant investment in Colorado students—a $231 million increase in public education funding, or a 2.4% increase over last year. Under this updated implementation, all school districts in the state would receive the same or more funding in 2025 compared with 2024 – while continuing to make sure resources get to the schools and students who need it most. This means schools can move forward with planning and support, knowing the state is keeping its promise to invest in student success.

Colorado’s new school funding formula was a historic step forward—and now it’s time to follow through on the commitment made to all Colorado kids. Speaker McCluskie’s proposal provides resources to schools, ensures no district falls below its current funding levels, and eases changes to enrollment averaging in a way that smooths the transition for districts facing declining enrollment. These compromises are thoughtful and necessary steps to guarantee that school funding remains both sustainable and aligned with the needs of Colorado’s diverse student population.

Colorado Succeeds strongly supports the latest proposal to move forward with implementation of this student-focused formula in a way that balances fiscal realities with meaningful progress.

We urge lawmakers on both sides of the aisle to seize this moment of leadership and move forward with a plan that honors last year’s hard-fought progress while adapting to new fiscal realities. Delaying or derailing implementation now would undermine the very principles of fairness and adequacy that guided the funding formula’s creation.

Colorado’s students cannot afford to wait another 30 years for a better system. It is time to act decisively to ensure every child—regardless of zip code—has access to the resources they need to succeed.

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