Welcome to Capitol Week In Review, our newsletter keeping you informed about policy concerning educational equity and criminal justice reform. You will also hear from us about opportunities to engage in advocacy on topics important to you.
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Legislation of Interest
We’re excited to share promising progress updates on a couple of our priority bills:
As we near the end of the legislative session, things are moving fast! Check out the latest progress updates on our priority bills:
HB25-1320, School Finance Act, extends the transition to Colorado’s new school funding formula by one year, now fully implementing it in 2031-32. This bill increases funding for education by nearly $256 million. This bill is scheduled to be heard in the Senate Education Committee on April 30th at 1:30pm.
HB 25-1026, Repeal Co-payment for Department of Corrections (DOC) Inmate Health Care, stops the Department of Corrections from charging medical fees to incarcerated individuals seeking healthcare, separate from what is billed to insurance and already provided by the state. This bill passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee and is awaiting to be scheduled in the Senate Appropriations Committee.
HB 25-1146, Juvenile Detention Bed Caps,was drastically amended with a “strike below” that changed this bill to overhaul juvenile detention funding in Colorado.
The bill increases the number of emergency detention beds in the Division of Youth Services from 22 to 39, allows more flexibility in when the beds can be used, and requires the development of a pilot program for body cameras to be worn in youth detention facilities. More importantly, the bill now creates a grant program for youth deflection and diversion services; it will provide competitive grants for three years to implement a mixed-delivery system of trauma-informed health and development deflection programs for youth. In total, this package for youth justice and diversion comes with an appropriation totaling $10.8 million to the Department of Human Services and the Department of Public Safety. This bill passed third reading in the House and is now scheduled to be heard in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on May 1st at 1:30pm.
HB25-1192, Financial Literacy Graduation Requirement, mandates that Colorado high school students successfully complete a financial literacy course before graduating. Additionally, the bill requires students to practice either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Colorado Application for State Financial Aid (CASFA). This bill passed second reading in the House and is scheduled to be heard in the House on April 28th for third reading.
SB25-315 Postsecondary & Workforce Readiness Programs, consolidates four existing postsecondary and workforce readiness (PWR) programs into a streamlined two-part structure to expand access and reduce administrative burdens. It creates a Start-Up Fund ($14M) to replace the ASCENT program and reward districts for postsecondary credits, credentials, and work-based learning outcomes. This bill was introduced in the Senate and awaiting a hearing in the Senate Appropriations Committee.
HB25-1274 Healthy School Meals for All Program, refers two ballot issues to the voters in November to allow the state retain a portion of TABOR refunds and to increase taxes by $95 million annually by increasing state taxable income to support the healthy school meals for all program. This bill passed the Senate Finance Committee with a vote of 6-3.
HB25-1153, Statewide Government Language Access Assessment, requires a statewide language access assessment across Colorado’s principal departments to evaluate and improve services for non-English speakers. The assessment will review language access needs, existing resources, and expenditures. A final report with recommendations is due by December 31, 2026. This bill is awaiting scheduling in the Senate State, Veterans, & Military Affairs Committee.
Our Take: Colorado’s new $43 billion budget
This week, Colorado lawmakers finalized the state’s $43 billion budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year. Despite facing tight financial constraints, the legislature prioritized education in historic ways — offering long-overdue wins for students, families, and educators across the state.
The biggest headline? For the first time in over a decade, schools will receive full funding under the new state’s formula, marking a turning point in how Colorado invests in its children.
Here’s what else this landmark budget delivers for education:
- Total program funding will increase by $256 million, which will mean more resources in classrooms, smaller class sizes, and critical staff like counselors and specialists.
- Higher per-pupil funding, especially important for schools in low-income communities and those serving students with the greatest needs.
- $3.4 million in one-time funds to support reading intervention training for K-3 teachers
While these investments are worth celebrating, they didn’t come easy. Lawmakers made tough decisions in a tight budget year — but they made it clear that education is a top priority.
Still, this is not the finish line. Equity, transparency, and sustained community involvement must guide how these dollars are spent. This budget is a critical step forward — and a reminder that Colorado’s students deserve nothing less than our full commitment.
Take Action: Urge the senate education committee to pass the school finance act
Bipartisan bill, HB25-1320, School Finance Act, is being heard in the Senate Education Committee on April 30th. It increases funding for education by $256 million and ensures support for students experiencing poverty, English language learners, students with special needs, and students in small and rural districts.
HB25-1320 addresses fiscal challenges faced by our state while also prioritizing funding for students by:
We need your help to make sure lawmakers vote YES on HB25-1320 and uphold Colorado’s commitment to fully and equitably funding public education. Please send your email today!
What We’re Reading
- The Colorado Sun, Colorado legislature passes $43.9 billion budget that cuts transportation, social programs to fund rising health care costs
- Chalkbeat, Colorado’s 2025-26 budget has more money for schools, but it’s less than was promised
