Colorado’s public education system is facing a funding shortfall of $3.5–$4 billion annually, according to the Colorado Education Association’s (CEA) 2025–2026 State of Education Report released this week. The report ranks Colorado 40th in the nation for education investment and points to decades of budget restrictions as key factors behind the state’s ongoing challenges.
“Colorado’s public schools are standing at a crossroads. This report makes clear that chronic underfunding is at the root of nearly every challenge facing Colorado’s public schools, from educator shortages and overcrowded classrooms to safety concerns and rising costs that educators are being asked to absorb themselves,” said Kevin Vick, president of CEA. “Year after year, our students and educators are paying the price for a system that refuses to fully invest in public education. Lawmakers now have a clear choice about whether to continue down this path or finally make the investment our schools need.”
The CEA report finds that persistent underinvestment has contributed to an exodus of educators across Colorado. In 2024, more than four out of five educators reported knowing someone who left the profession within the past year. Teacher pay remains low compared to similarly educated professionals—averaging just 62 cents on the dollar—and starting salaries fall well below what is considered a minimum living wage in the state. Rising costs for housing, healthcare, and basic needs have led many teachers to seek additional employment.
Educators also face increasing pressure in their work environments due to politicized classrooms and extensive state mandates that limit professional autonomy. Many report self-censoring or avoiding complex discussions out of concern for potential backlash.
School safety is another area affected by funding issues, with half of surveyed educators reporting physical injury by students and nearly three-quarters witnessing or experiencing attempts at physical harm toward adults in school settings. The report links improved staffing ratios and positive school culture—both dependent on adequate funding—to better safety outcomes.
Collective bargaining agreements have played a role in securing cost-of-living adjustments and improvements in working conditions for some districts. Recent negotiations resulted in higher wages, protections for support staff, and enhancements in special education services.
For its 2026 legislative agenda, CEA calls on lawmakers to refer a measure to voters that would establish stable K-12 funding without raising taxes. The association urges resistance against unfunded mandates and policies that could worsen workload pressures on teachers.
CEA also advocates exploring statewide health insurance options for school employees and supporting policies focused on affordable benefits, competitive pay, manageable class sizes, adequate staffing levels, strengthened workers’ rights through collective bargaining, professional autonomy, fair compensation, safe learning environments free from political interference, and protection against diversion of public funds to private interests.
The full 2025–2026 State of Education Report is available online.
