Governor Jared Polis’ final budget submission is a reminder of the progress Colorado has made for children and the hard choices ahead. Over the past eight years, Governor Polis and the General Assembly have made major progress for children, including eliminating the K-12 budget stabilization factor, strengthening school funding, expanding access to preschool, and this year, following through on his commitment to fund special education services through SB26-125.
As Colorado prepares to welcome a new governor, we should build on that progress, not back away from it.
“Governor Polis and lawmakers have shown what’s possible when Colorado puts kids first,” said Heather Tritten, President and CEO of the Colorado Children’s Campaign. “Now we need to protect that progress and keep moving forward. Kids only get one childhood, and our budget should give them the chance to learn, grow, thrive and just be kids.”
That will not be easy. Colorado is facing a budget shortfall of more than $1.5 billion, while H.R. 1 will put even more pressure on state resources and the programs families rely on. Kids can’t learn and grow without the care they need, and we urge lawmakers to protect children’s coverage and care as they shape this budget. Kids’ health care and education are not trade-offs, and Colorado should not balance its budget by pitting one against the other. Our state needs new solutions that protect both, along with child care and other investments in kids.
Colorado voters have an opportunity this November to change that trajectory. Proposition NN and Amendment 87 would bring significant new resources to K-12 education, early childhood, health care, and other programs children and families rely on.
“Colorado can’t cut its way to a budget that works for kids,” said Tritten. “NN and 87 give us a chance to protect what we’ve built and give kids what they need to just be kids.”
The Campaign thanks Governor Polis and the General Assembly for their commitment to Colorado kids. As lawmakers take up this budget and a new governor prepares to lead our state, we have a simple goal: protect the progress we’ve made and make Colorado the best place to be a kid and raise a kid.
###
About the Colorado Children’s Campaign: At the Colorado Children’s Campaign, we use data and research to identify what kids across our state need most, then advocate for policies that strengthen their well‑being and help them thrive. Our focus is the whole child, working across Early Childhood, K‑12 Education, Health, and Economic Security for the greatest long‑term impact. For more information, please visit ColoradoKids.org.