Last week, at a gathering of private and religious school choice supporters, Governor Polis reconfirmed his decision to opt in to the federal voucher scheme created in the H.R. 1, the federal reconciliation bill, last year. (Under that plan, taxpayers can receive a 100% federal tax credit, up to $1,700, for donations made to “Scholarship Granting Organizations” in the state.)
As reported by Colorado Public Radio, the governor has decided to opt in, despite his own concerns about the potential for “fraud, waste, and abuse.” He raised those concerns in comments to the U.S. Department of Treasury, which is drafting the rules for state participation in the program.
Great Education Colorado recently participated in a conversation with the Treasury staff who are drafting the rules, and we can report that it is highly unlikely that these rules will address Governor Polis’ concerns. In fact, from what we can tell, states will have virtually no control over this program, which is designed to allow private organizations to spend millions of dollars in federal funding in states. States will have no power to select the organizations, or to regulate them, and potentially not even any authority to require transparency, accountability, or data reports from them. We also heard that the Treasury is viewing this program as tax policy, not education policy.
Governor Polis also opted into this harmful federal tax credit voucher program despite the fact that Colorado voters have rejected vouchers over and over, as recently as 2021 and 2024.
In December, Great Education Colorado led seventeen other organizations in writing an open letter and petition directed to Governor Polis to opt out of the federal voucher scam.
At that time, we also asked all those who are currently running for governor whether they will opt Colorado in or out of the federal voucher plan, if they are elected.
(Based on what we know now, it seems that governors will annually opt in by providing an updated list of eligible scholarship granting organizations located in their state.)
On the Democratic side we heard from both of the top contenders, Senator Michael Bennet and Attorney General Phil Weiser. Here’s how they answered:
Bennet:
Michael does not support private school vouchers or public funds going to private or religious schools. He will not support the program unless Colorado is able to establish guidelines that guarantee that the funds are not used for private or religious programs. However, Michael believes flatly rejecting these funds before final guidance is issued from the Treasury could be short sighted and put millions of dollars that could help kids in Colorado at risk.
Weiser:
I would opt out of the program. While I welcome any support for education and investing in our kids’ future, I will never support vouchers. That includes any measures that siphon off scarce public K-12 school dollars to benefit private and parochial schools. That’s why I am a “no” here.
In addition, David Hughes (D) indicated he would opt out of the program and Shawn Bennett (R) indicated he would opt in. Many candidates expressed interest in learning more about the program and several met with us in early January to hear our position.
Importantly, this fight is not over. The Department of the Treasury is still drafting rules for this program, and we need to hold Governor Polis accountable to his own comments about it. We’ll be watching closely to see how the proposed regulations stack up against the Governor’s priorities and suggestions. We also have an opportunity to influence our next Governor’s plan before they take office.
Sign here to add your name to our petition to keep Colorado out of the federal voucher scam!
So, if folks who can afford a $1700 donation get a tax credit for that amount, then that is essentially another tax cut for folks who already have a lot of ways to avoid taxes. And, that means less revenue. Am I correct?
Opt out of this harmful federal tax credit voucher program. We need meaningful investment in education and in the future of our children. Do not support vouchers in any form. That includes policies that divert scarce public K–12 resources away from our neighborhood public schools and redirect them to private or parochial institutions. Our public dollars belong in our public schools, serving all students. For that reason, the vote should be no.
Do not support this harmful federal tax credit voucher program. We need meaningful investment in education and in the future of our children. Do not support vouchers in any form. That includes policies that divert scarce public K–12 resources away from our neighborhood public schools and redirect them to private or parochial institutions. Our public dollars belong in our public schools, serving all students.