For decades, the Colorado Children’s Campaign has worked toward a simple but powerful goal: ensuring every child in Colorado has the opportunity to thrive, regardless of their ZIP code, family income, race, or learning needs. Time and again, our research, advocacy, and legislative work have pointed to the same conclusion: Colorado cannot deliver on that promise without adequately funding its public schools.
That is why Proposition NN represents one of the most important opportunities for Colorado’s children in a generation.
Colorado’s students deserve the best public schools in the nation. Yet for years, our state has chronically underfunded education. By some estimates, Colorado underfunds public schools by roughly $4,600 per student annually and ranks near the bottom of states in school funding. As a result, schools face persistent challenges including educator shortages, low teacher pay, overcrowded classrooms, and limited opportunities for students.
Proposition NN offers a solution that matches the scale of the challenge. By modernizing Colorado’s outdated TABOR revenue cap, the measure would allow the state to invest revenue it has already collected into public education without raising taxes. Proponents estimate the measure could boost annual K-12 funding by more than 50 percent over the next decade while requiring independent annual audits and transparency measures to ensure accountability.
Proposition NN invests the new funding where it matters most – higher teacher pay, stronger teacher retention, smaller class sizes, and career and technical education opportunities. These are not abstract policy goals. They are the building blocks of strong schools and strong communities. When schools can recruit and retain passionate, qualified educators, students receive better instruction and greater support. When class sizes are smaller, children receive more individual attention. When students have access to meaningful career pathways, they graduate better prepared for success in college, careers, and life.
The stakes could not be higher. Colorado has made significant progress in recent years, including adopting a new school finance formula designed to direct more funding toward students living in poverty, multilingual learners, students with disabilities, and rural communities. But without additional revenue, that progress could stall before the work is finished. Proposition NN provides a path forward.
At the Colorado Children’s Campaign, we believe every child is capable of success when given the right opportunities and support. Proposition NN is an investment in that belief. It is an investment in teachers, students, families, and communities. Most of all, it is an investment in Colorado’s future.
This November, Colorado voters have a chance to make a historic commitment to children. We enthusiastically support Proposition NN and encourage voters to join us in saying Yes for Colorado Kids.
