In a landmark ruling that provides legal recourse to children in severely underfunded schools, the Colorado Supreme Court today reinstated a lawsuit alleging that Colorado’s school funding system does not meet constitutional standards.

From the Denver Post:

In an opinion that could have profound implications for the state budget, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled today that a group of plaintiffs has the right to challenge whether the state provides an adequate level of funding for schools.In a 4-3 decision, the state’s high court overturned the ruling of two lower courts that said the question of how much funding for schools is one for lawmakers, not the courts.

In short, the ruling reopens the courthouse doors to children, parents and districts who believe that Colorado’s current system of school funding does not meet the requirements of the Education Clause of the Colorado Constitution, which requires the legislature to maintain a “thorough and uniform system of free public schools throughout the state.”

Joint Budget Committee member Jack Pommer summarized it this way in the Post:

“In terms of education, this might ultimately force the state to provide a thorough education to every student. Of course, we can’t afford that.”

Can we afford not to?