Why Facilities Funding Fairness Matters for Colorado Charter Schools
Every day, dedicated educators across Colorado's 260+ charter schools work hard to give their students the best possible learning experience. But too often, they're doing it in classrooms that need upgrades, without access to modern science labs, and in buildings that lack the space for a library.
That’s because the funding system that supports Colorado’s charter schools hasn't kept pace with the students it's meant to serve.
Over the past decade, Colorado school districts collected more than $15.5 billion in bond revenue to improve school facilities—funding for new classrooms, technology upgrades, athletic facilities, and more. But of that total, charter schools received just $500 million.
For example, in the most recent bond issue in our local district in Northern Colorado, 14% of the district’s public school students who attend charter schools were included at 3/10ths of 1% of the most recent bond! Charter school students account for 14% of the district's student population, and they received 1/3 of 1% ($300,000 total across both charters for a $99 million bond). This is not equitable; this is not appropriate.
Statewide, external analyses show that just 3% of the funding goes to public charter schools that serve more than 15% of Colorado's public school students.
The impact shows up in real ways for students and teachers. Schools are forced to make difficult trade-offs, choosing between updating aging classrooms or hiring additional support staff. Students go without modern science labs or libraries, limiting access to resources that support literacy and learning.
Facilities funding should not depend on whether a student attends a district-run school or a public charter school. This issue is about fairness, equity, and ensuring that the 260+ charter schools serving more than 136,000 students across Colorado are equipped to give their students the education they deserve.
But there is good news to this story. At the Colorado General Assembly, the League is fighting to change this dynamic on behalf of charter schools. We worked with legislators to introduce SB-145, a bill that would help level the playing field for charter schools. We have also helped organize charter school parents, educators, and students to meet with lawmakers to address how funding gaps affect their communities. The conversation around bond equity is growing, and for the first time, there’s real momentum for a solution.
This past Monday, the bill passed the Senate Education Committee with a unanimous vote.
This bill represents an important step forward in ensuring charter schools are considered more fairly in local capital funding decisions. It strengthens the process by requiring districts to meaningfully include charter schools when they go to the ballot, and gives voters clearer, more transparent insight into how those decisions are made.
Colorado’s charter schools are public schools. They’re tuition-free, open to all students, and held to high standards of accountability. The families who choose them deserve to know that their tax dollars are being invested equitably in their children’s education.
Awareness is the first step toward change. If this issue matters to you, we encourage you to share this newsletter with your networks—fellow parents, colleagues, neighbors, and community members. The more Coloradans understand the funding realities facing charter school students, the stronger the case for fairness becomes.
Our schools are filled with students who deserve every opportunity to succeed. Together, we can help ensure they have the facilities and resources to make that happen.
Dr. Ian Stout, Executive Director, Loveland Classical Schools
Board Treasurer, Colorado League of Charter Schools
