Our Work at the Capitol in 2026

Dear Annabelle,

We hope you enjoyed the holiday season and are off to a strong start in the new year! Today is the start of the General Assembly’s 76th session, and to kick things off, we’re excited to share a few updates.

Legislative Agenda 2026

The League’s 2026 legislative agenda, developed with input from school leaders and stakeholders across the state, was approved by the Board last month. This agenda will guide our advocacy throughout the session and focuses on the following priorities:

• Equitable Bond Access
• Regulatory Relief
• Funding Equity
• Accountable Authorizing
• Defense

Advancing this agenda will require sustained engagement from all of you! As the legislative session unfolds, there are several opportunities to stay informed, contribute your perspective from the field, and engage in our advocacy efforts:

1. Legislative Lunches: Starting January 24th, join us every Friday for a members-only session to discuss education bills at the Capitol and the League’s advocacy efforts. You can RSVP here.
2. Legislative Updates: Look for regular email updates from us throughout the session until it ends in early May. 
3. Direct Contact: Have questions or ideas? Reach out to our advocacy team ([email protected]) or contact our VP of Policy, Prateek Dutta ([email protected]). 

Stand Up For All Students – Support Fairness for Charter Schools

Colorado’s public charter school students are dramatically underfunded. Over the past decade, for example, Colorado dedicated more than $15 billion in public funding to help schools cover facilities costs. But only 3 percent of that funding – around $500 million – went to public charter schools, even though they serve 15% of public school students.

In this legislative session, you have the opportunity to stand up for all students and support fairness for charter schools. Colorado has more than 260 charter schools that serve more than 136,000 students. When we speak with one voice, we’re a powerful political force. Tell us how you’ll use your voice to make a difference at https://action.organizer.com/2026LegislativeSession/.

The State Budget:

The biggest issue facing the legislative session this year is the state budget. Much like last year, Colorado lawmakers are once again confronting a significant budget shortfall. Updated projections from the state’s budget forecasters indicate a gap of approximately $850 million for the upcoming fiscal year. Unlike the federal government, Colorado is constitutionally required to balance its budget annually, forcing difficult tradeoffs across state priorities. The central question facing the General Assembly is how to close this gap while continuing to protect K-12 education, a shared commitment expressed by the Governor and legislative leaders in both parties.

In addition to advancing our legislative agenda, we will closely monitor this process to ensure our schools receive equitable funding, even in this challenging budget environment.

Conclusion

We will continue to bring you timely, accurate insights from inside the Capitol and to vigorously defend and advance charter school interests during a difficult political and legislative environment. 

The League Advocacy Team, 

Anne, Kyle, and Prateek