Advocacy
Influencing Public Policy & Building Community Strength
The Colorado League of Charter Schools actively works to promote high-quality public charter schools, fair funding, and better facilities access by influencing public policy and opinions on the local, state, and federal levels. We also know the strength of the collective charter school community across the state of Colorado and support our member schools in building strong local advocacy networks and community engagement strategies to show that we are stronger together.
State-Level Advocacy & Coalition Building
In addition to our Director of Governmental Affairs (our in-house lobbyist), we also partner with external lobbyists and actively engage with the Colorado General Assembly, the Governor’s Office, the State Board of Education
and state governmental agencies to implement the League's policy agenda. While our policy agenda evolves each legislative session, our core objectives remain consistent:
- Enhance funding equity for charter schools at the federal, state, and local levels
- Guarantee equal access to the same programs and educational opportunities as traditional public school students (i.e., special education services/resources)
- Improve charter school facilities' access and equity
- Strengthen and preserve charter school autonomy
- Uphold charter schools' accountability for student performance, financial responsibility, effective governance, and more
- Enhance charter school authorizing practices and accountability measures
- Ensure that Colorado's charter school law continues to evolve and maintain its strength.
Community & Local Advocacy
The League also recognizes the importance of having favorable charter environments at the local level that are built on strong, grassroots advocacy networks. We support local charter communities to build favorable public opinions of charters through education, meet with local elected officials, and engage in local policy advocacy to support their schools.
If you have a local issue that could benefit from League support, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Also be sure to join our Act for Charters Today (ACT) Advocacy Network, a group of charter school families, staff and community supporters who want to build their knowledge, skills, power and influence to strengthen and support their own charter schools as well as all other charters across Colorado.
Annual Policy Agenda
Each fall, we collaborate with our Governmental Affairs Committee and Board of Directors to unveil a set of legislative priorities for the upcoming year. Seeking input from our member schools, we carefully consider their feedback on these priorities. With this valuable input, we put our agenda into action during the subsequent legislative session. Read the 2023 policy agenda.
Legislative Update Newsletter
The League offers regular updates on Capitol developments that could have an impact on charter schools. Bi-monthly from January through May during the Colorado legislative session and at other times as developments warrant, our "Legislative Updates" e-newsletter keeps you informed with timely information on legislative developments and their implications for charters. Sign up here.
State and Federal Policy Updates (Members Only)
Exclusively for members, we offer weekly State and Federal Policy Updates calls every Friday from 12:00-12:30 PM during the legislative session. If you desire more frequent updates and in-depth discussions, these calls are an excellent opportunity to stay informed and engaged. Register now.
Bill Tracker (Members Only)
During the Colorado legislative session, we keep an updated summary of bills currently in the legislature that affect charter schools. In addition to a bill number, title and description, we include each bill’s last dated action and a link to its fiscal note. Color codes offer easy identification of those bills that have been sent to the governor, signed into law or postponed indefinitely. Log in to view the latest bill tracker.
Additional Advocacy Resources
From training opportunities and messaging guidelines to policy one-pagers and a voter toolkit, these resources will aid school and community members in creating and defending a successful charter ecosystem. Learn more.
