Colorado’s Schools Need More Money – Here’s How It Could Happen

Every summer in Colorado, schools face the same problem: classrooms get too hot to teach in. Fans and open windows can’t fix it when there’s no air conditioning. This isn’t just about comfort—it’s a sign of a bigger issue. For over 30 years, Colorado has kept schools underfunded by limiting how much money the state can spend, even as the population grows and costs rise. Teachers often spend their own paychecks on supplies. Schools shorten the week to four days. Students struggle without counselors or mental health support. Parents work overtime just to fill the gaps. Many people don’t realize that Colorado collects enough tax money every year to fix these problems—but outdated rules force much of it back to taxpayers as refunds instead of helping schools.Senate Bill 135 wants to change that. It doesn’t raise taxes. It doesn’t take refunds away forever. It simply lets the state keep money it already collects and spend it on K-12 education first. If voters say yes in 2026, the state could invest up to 2% more each year for a decade, with clear reports showing where every dollar goes. That could mean cooler classrooms, better-paid teachers, and more counselors for students. Critics argue this is a sneaky tax increase or a way to eliminate refunds for good. But those claims don’t hold up. The bill only adjusts an old cap set in 1992, when Colorado was a different place. Back then, the internet was new, and the state had far fewer people. Today, the same rule blocks millions from reaching schools that desperately need it. The real question isn’t about politics—it’s about fairness. Should a child in a hot classroom, a school struggling to hire staff, or a teacher quitting because she can’t afford rent keep waiting for change? This bill gives voters the power to say no more delays.