The Colorado Department of the Treasury has announced the issuance of nearly $123 million in financing through the Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) program. The funding will support four school districts as they begin new construction and renovation projects aimed at improving educational facilities across the state.
According to Colorado State Treasurer Dave Young, “This year’s BEST financing positions Colorado to make meaningful, long-term investments in diverse communities across the state. BEST continues to deliver on the school improvements our students deserve. These investments will support generations of Colorado students and their families.”
The BEST program provides financial support for K-12 infrastructure projects, including building new schools, major renovations, and upgrades focused on health and safety. Three out of the four districts receiving funds had local voters approve ballot measures to help pay for these improvements.
The recipients of this year’s financing are:
– Aguilar Reorganized School District No. 6: $16.05 million
– Haxtun RE-2J School District: $30 million
– Norwood School District No. R-2J: $60.3 million
– Widefield School District No. 3: $16.32 million
The state secured an interest rate just below four percent for this bond issuance, a result attributed to cooperation between the Treasury, Attorney General’s Office, and financial advisors at Piper Sandler. With funding now available, districts are set to work with architects and contractors on project planning and construction.
Haxtun Superintendent Aron Jones commented on the impact for his district: “In a small town like Haxtun, the school and community are deeply interconnected. The planned additions and renovations will meaningfully improve our campus for decades to come,” he said. “Without BEST funding, our district would not have the means to make these critical improvements in safety, accessibility, and educational quality.”
The Treasury indicated it will continue collaborating with local communities to ensure that students have access to safe and modern educational facilities.
Further details about the BEST program can be found at treasury.colorado.gov/programs/best-program.
For more information about the Colorado Department of the Treasury’s role in managing public funds responsibly from receipt through disbursement, visit colorado.gov/treasury.
