When we launched the Get It Done! campaign, we outlined a five-step plan to move Colorado from chronically underfunded schools to a system that fully meets the needs of all students.
With the historic final passage of House Joint Resolution 26-1028, we’ve completed the first three stages, and we are closer than ever before to accomplishing the remaining two!
- Define “Full Funding” through Adequacy Studies
In 2023, after years of advocacy, Colorado funded its first-ever Adequacy Studies through the School Finance Act, thanks to the efforts of then-Representative Cathy Kipp.
These studies were designed to identify the staffing, programs, and resources schools need to ensure every student can meet standards and succeed. While many states have used adequacy studies for decades to guide school investment, Colorado had never done so before.
- Share and Inform the Public About the Study Results and Recommendations
Well before the studies were released in January 2025, Great Ed and Get It Done! partners launched a public education campaign with a website, videos, presentations, and outreach to legislators, educators, advocates, and community members.
The studies confirmed and the press reported what the education community already knew: Colorado underfunds public education by an estimated $3.5–$4.1 billion annually.
The campaign reached thousands of Coloradans and sparked statewide conversations about creating a long-term “Blueprint for Student Success.”
- Get the Legislators to Pledge and Commit to Implementing the Study Recommendations
Knowing that it would be too easy to just put the Studies on a shelf, the next task was to get the General Assembly to make a formal commitment to creating the “Blueprint for Student Success.”
Done.
On May 8 and 11, 2026 the House and Senate, respectively, passed HJR26-1028 with overwhelming bipartisan support. The Senate also passed SJR25-021 last year, meaning that they doubled down on their commitment to fully fund schools with the passage of HJR26-1028.
With the historic and unprecedented passage of this resolution, 87 out of 100 members of the General Assembly officially recognized and acknowledged public education as the bedrock of our democracy.
And they made the following commitment:
In short, a bipartisan majority of the legislature has now formally acknowledged:
- the validity and importance of the adequacy study;
- the connection between school funding and education outcomes;
- that funding schools at 1989 levels does not constitute “full funding”; and
- that, even during a budget crisis, Colorado can and must aspire to do right by its students.
- Secure Funding to Implement the Study Recommendations (Voter Approval Required)
With unprecedented formal bipartisan recognition of the problem, the next step is securing sustainable funding for schools in a way that is fair and responsive to Colorado families. Fortunately, the 2026 election provides the best opportunity – possibly ever – to put an end to Colorado’s chronic underfunding of public schools.
That’s why Great Ed fully supports the passage of two ballot measures this year:
Initiative 195 – Protect Colorado’s Future will raise at least $700 million for public schools annually, while giving 97% of voters a tax cut. Higher graduated tax rates start on income above $500,000. Polling shows a durable 55% of the electorate supporting the measure as it appears on the ballot.
- Find out what Initiative 195 would mean to your district here.
- Find out how you can help us put it on the ballot here.
SB26-135 – Cut the Ropes will raise the current state spending limit, allowing our state to use the money it already collects for K-12 schools without raising taxes for anyone. The legislature is expected to place this measure on the ballot this session.
If both measures succeed at the ballot this year, today’s elementary students could graduate from fully funded high schools.
- Create and Implement the “Blueprint for Student Success”
The final step is developing and implementing a multi-year roadmap to reach full and fair school funding. That work has already begun. With the leadership of the Colorado School Finance Project and Representative Jennifer Bacon, there have been multiple conversations among school leaders, legislators, and advocates about how new investments can be distributed fairly and effectively to meet student needs statewide. (Spoiler alert: so far, the emerging consensus is that new revenues should be distributed by increasing base and special education funding.)
We’ve come a long way. Colorado students are depending on us to finish the job.
Let’s keep Getting It Done!