A Bill for an Act
Page 1, Line 101Concerning the financing of public schools.
Bill Summary
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at http://leg.colorado.gov.)
The bill:
- Increases the statewide base per pupil funding for the 2026-27 budget year by $217.30 to account for inflation;
- Sets a new statewide base per pupil funding amount for the 2026-27 budget year at $8,909.10; and
- Sets the total program funding for the 2026-27 budget year at $10,209,589,888.
Page 2, Line 1Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:
Page 2, Line 2SECTION 1. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-54-103.5, add
Page 2, Line 3(3)(b) and (14)(b) as follows:
Page 2, Line 422-54-103.5. District total program - rules - legislative
Page 2, Line 5declaration - repeal.
Page 2, Line 6(3) Statewide base per pupil funding.
Page 2, Line 7(b) (I) For the 2026-27 budget year, the statewide base per
Page 2, Line 8pupil funding is eight thousand nine hundred nine dollars and
Page 2, Line 9ten cents ($8,909.10), which is an amount equal to eight thousand
Page 2, Line 10six hundred ninety-one dollars and eighty cents ($8,691.80),
Page 2, Line 11supplemented by two hundred seventeen dollars and thirty
Page 2, Line 12cents ($217.30) to account for inflation.
Page 2, Line 13(II) This subsection (3)(b) is repealed, effective July 1, 2032.
Page 2, Line 14(14) Total program funding.
Page 2, Line 15(b) (I) For the 2026-27 budget year, the department of
Page 2, Line 16education and the staff of the legislative council shall
Page 2, Line 17determine, based on budget projections, the amount to ensure
Page 2, Line 18that for the 2026-27 budget year, the sum of total program
Page 2, Line 19funding for all districts, including funding for institute
Page 2, Line 20charter schools, is at least ten billion two hundred nine million
Page 2, Line 21five hundred eighty-nine thousand eight hundred eighty-eight
Page 2, Line 22dollars ($10,209,589,888); except that the department of
Page 2, Line 23education and the staff of the legislative council shall make
Page 2, Line 24mid-year revisions to replace projections with actual figures,
Page 2, Line 25including actual pupil enrollment, assessed valuations, and
Page 2, Line 26specific ownership tax revenue from the prior year to determine
Page 3, Line 1any necessary changes in the amount to maintain total program
Page 3, Line 2funding for the applicable budget year.
Page 3, Line 3(II) This subsection (14)(b) is repealed, effective July 1,
Page 3, Line 42032.
Page 3, Line 5SECTION 2. Safety clause. The general assembly finds,
Page 3, Line 6determines, and declares that this act is necessary for the immediate
Page 3, Line 7preservation of the public peace, health, or safety or for appropriations for
Page 3, Line 8the support and maintenance of the departments of the state and state
Page 3, Line 9institutions.