DENVER – Despite a more-than-$1 billion budget shortfall, legislators developed and approved plans to support K-12 education, universal preschool, improvements to assistance for children living in deep poverty, health coverage for children and pregnant women, and other efforts to help Colorado children thrive during the 2025 legislative session.
Read the Colorado Children’s Campaign’s legislative impacts report.
“Colorado’s lawmakers on both sides of the aisle demonstrated their commitment to children this year,” said Heather Tritten, President and CEO of the Colorado Children’s Campaign. “Even with significant budget challenges, this year’s legislative session resulted in significant changes that will help children access health care, quality education and preschool, and resources to support their basic needs.”
“When we work together, we can make sure children can go to the doctor, attend safe and excellent schools, and have what they need to learn, grow, and thrive,” Tritten said. “Supporting our children now is an investment in our state’s future.”
The state will begin implementing a new K-12 school funding formula (HB25-1320) and will channel an additional $256mto Colorado’s school districts, taking steps to make sure resources for education are reaching children who need them most.
Other legislative and budget successes for kids this year include:
- Sustaining Healthy School Meals for All (HB25-1274)
- Supporting Students & School Climate (HB25-1248)
- Modernizing the Tony Grampsas Youth Services (TGYS) Program (SB25-197)
- Strengthening the TANF program (HB25-1279)
- Implementing the Family Affordability Tax Credit (HB25-1335)
- Budget Wins:
-
- Implementing the new K-12 funding formula
-
- Funding Equity for Public Charter Students
-
- Sustaining and Expanding Universal Preschool
-
- Protecting Child Care Assistance
-
- Implementing Cover All Coloradans
-
- Protecting the Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+)
-
- Beginning Continuous Coverage for Young Children
-
- Increasing cash assistance for kids in deep poverty
Learn more about these efforts in our legislative impacts report.
###