Lawmakers in Colorado have introduced a bill that would refer a measure to voters in November 2026, aiming to raise the state’s revenue cap and allow increased investment in K–12 public education without increasing taxes. Senate Bill 26-135 is sponsored by Senator Jeff Bridges and Representative Jennifer Bacon.
The legislation responds to longstanding concerns about underfunding in Colorado’s public schools. Currently, each student receives approximately $4,000 less per year than needed, resulting in an annual shortfall estimated between $3.5 billion and $4 billion. The current revenue cap was set in 1992 and has not kept pace with population or economic growth, creating financial challenges for education and other essential services.
“Colorado is trying to run a 21st-century education system under a fiscal cap written in 1992,” said Sen. 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, the measure would permit the state to retain revenue above its current cap for use in education funding already collected from taxpayers. It includes provisions for stable increases of up to 2% annually for K–12 funding as well as annual independent audits designed to ensure transparency.
“In Colorado, we care about our kids. The doctor who might save my life might be in one of those classrooms,” said Rep. Bacon. “They might be in second grade right now. Which means they need science, technology, and equipment that maybe didn’t exist in 1992.”
Supporters argue that stabilizing school funding will help attract qualified educators, reduce class sizes, provide necessary resources for students’ success, and relieve pressure on other parts of the state budget such as health care or public safety.
The bill has support from groups including educators statewide; legislative sponsors; and organizations like AFT Colorado; Stand for Children; United for a New Economy; The Colorado Rural Schools Alliance; The Colorado Association of School Boards; and The Colorado Children’s Campaign.
“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,” said Kevin Vick, president of CEA. “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.”
“Talented, dedicated educators are leaving the profession because salaries and working conditions are simply not sufficient to support our families to thrive,” said Wendy Bergman, a high school social studies teacher. “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.”
“For too long Colorado’s school funding system has failed students and families who need strong public schools most—especially low-income communities communities of color—and immigrant families,” said Genesis Lee with United for a New Economy.“Our students deserve fully resourced schools—and our educators deserve a living wage—for critical work they do.Modernizing Colorado’s outdated funding cap is about building an economy that works for everyone—not just wealthy few.”
“Students in rural mountain communities deserve same opportunities as students anywhere else,” said Denille LePlatte with The Colorado Rural Schools Alliance.”But when schools are underfunded,rural districts feel impact first hardest especially when it comes attracting retaining teachers.This measure important step toward giving rural schools stability resources they need serve their students.”
“Colorado’s children deserve a public education system fully funded fully supported fully capable meeting their needs,”said Nancy Hopper Vice President The Colorado Association School Boards.“For more than thirty years Colorados outdated revenue cap prevented happening.This measure gives Coloradans chance modernize cap allow state keep more dollars it already collects support own children.”
