A bill that would allow Colorado voters to decide on raising the state’s revenue cap for K–12 public education advanced out of the Senate Finance Committee on March 12. The committee approved Senate Bill 26-135, sponsored by Senators Jeff Bridges and Cathy Kipp and Representatives Jennifer Bacon and Meghan Lukens, with a 6-3 vote.
The proposed measure aims to address longstanding underfunding in Colorado’s public schools by permitting the state to invest revenue it already collects, without increasing taxes. Supporters say this change is necessary because the current revenue cap, established more than three decades ago, has not kept pace with population and economic growth.
“Colorado’s public schools have been underfunded for decades because we are operating under an outdated revenue cap written more than 30 years ago,” said Kevin Vick, president of the Colorado Education Association (CEA). “Today’s vote is an important step toward finally addressing that structural problem and allowing Colorado to invest in the public schools our students deserve. This measure does not raise taxes or ask Coloradans to pay a dollar more. It simply allows the state to use the revenue it already collects to support students, educators, and communities across Colorado.”
If approved by voters in November 2026, the measure would let the state retain revenue above its current cap and direct those funds into education. The proposal includes annual increases in K–12 funding of up to 2% and requires yearly independent audits for transparency.
“For decades, Colorado has been asking our schools to do more with less, and our students and educators are paying the price,” said Senator Bridges. “This measure would allow Colorado to invest the revenue it already collects to support smaller class sizes, better teacher pay, and the programs and services students need to succeed. It’s about making sure our schools have the resources to recruit and retain great educators and give every student the opportunity to thrive.”
Senator Kipp added: “Colorado’s students deserve strong public schools no matter where they live, and our educators deserve the resources and support they need to help every child succeed. For too long, outdated fiscal constraints have prevented our state from fully investing in public education, even when the revenue is already there. This measure gives voters the opportunity to modernize that system, strengthen our schools, and build a more stable future for Colorado, all without raising taxes.”
Supporters argue that stabilizing education funding will help attract high-quality teachers, reduce class sizes, provide needed resources for students, and relieve pressure on other parts of Colorado’s budget such as health care or transportation. The CEA joined other organizations including AFT Colorado, Stand for Children, United for a New Economy, as well as school boards associations at a recent Capitol hearing in support of this legislation.
