The Election is Over. Our Work is Just Beginning

Our schools now face one of the most consequential policy environments in years, with real risks and new opportunities. What happens next depends largely on us. Last month in MOVE, Dan challenged our community to turn momentum into action. This election has given that call new urgency. 

Here’s what’s ahead for our schools, and where we need your help.

What the Election Means for our Schools

The biggest takeaway after the recent election is that we cannot take support for charter schools at the Capitol for granted. Every legislator needs to understand that charter schools are public schools, who our students are, and why families choose our schools. Making that case will take sustained advocacy from the League and from charter school communities across Colorado.

We know legislation is coming that would make it harder for charter schools to open, expand, or renew. Changes such as this could limit families’ access to public school options that meet their children’s needs, and dampen the charter sector across the state. 

This is just one proposal we are aware of. There may be others. We will need this community to rally in the coming weeks and months. In the meantime, please sign up for our policy and advocacy newsletter here to stay informed and ready to act.

Even with these challenges, our community has meaningful victories to build on.

Wins to Build On

Even in this changing environment, the election delivered important results for charter students.

State Board member Sherri Wright’s apparent reelection preserves a supportive majority on the State Board of Education. CLCS Action provided targeted support in that race, recognizing how consequential the Board’s decisions are for charter schools across Colorado.

In Colorado Springs, voters approved a District 11 bond that includes $64 million in charter school projects. CLCS Action supported that effort as well. This is the kind of inclusion we have worked towards: Charter students recognized as part of their district’s public school community when facilities investments are made.

Voters also approved Proposition NN, which the League supported, to bring additional resources into public education. Schools have consistently told us that funding is a top priority, and this is an important step toward addressing that need.

The Next Chapter Starts with Relationships

Our work with incoming leaders is already underway. This fall, Governor-elect Phil Weiser visited 5280 Recovery High School in Denver and heard directly from students about their progress in recovery. He is one of 25 policymakers participating in charter school visits this fall.

These visits help elected leaders understand what our schools make possible, and why families depend on them. Our task now is to build on those relationships and connect what policymakers have seen and heard to the decisions they will make in office.

Specifically, we’ll follow these visits with one-on-one meetings with legislators, backed by district- specific “Briefing Books” that show the impact charter schools are having in their communities. Schools in our CIVIC pilot will stay engaged with their legislators throughout the session. And we’re going to show up at the Capitol a lot more than our annual Advocacy Day. 

Together, it’s a surround-sound approach. Legislators will hear about our schools from every direction: from the League, from school leaders, and most importantly from students and families.

Every School has a Role

We will lead our advocacy at the Capitol, analyze bills, and help schools understand when and how to engage. But our effectiveness depends on policymakers hearing from the communities their decisions will affect. On that note, there are two things schools can do now: 

• Invite an elected official into your school. Reach out to your new or returning legislators before the session begins. Give them time with students, parents, and educators, and help them understand why families chose your school and what they want to protect. Our advocacy team can help you plan a visit.

• Make it easy for families to participate. Share League updates and action alerts through the channels families already use, and identify parents willing to tell their stories. Assist us with gathering parent contact information for League advocacy purposes. Our CIVIC pilot (thank you to the 10 schools who have joined!) will help participating schools strengthen this work, but every school can begin building those connections now.

Every family in our schools made a choice. In the months ahead, new leaders will decide whether that choice remains available to all. They should hear from the students and parents behind it before they decide, not after.

To schedule a legislator visit or get your families involved, contact [email protected].

The work of preparing for a pivotal 2027 legislative session starts now.