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ColoradoSB25-2142025 Regular SessionSenateWALLET

Healthy School Meals for All Program

Sponsored By: Emily Sirota (Democratic), Jeff Bridges (Democratic), Judy Amabile (Democratic), Rick Taggart (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Fiscal Policy & TaxesEducation & School Finance (Pre & K-12)

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.

School Meal Access Faces New Limits

Beginning January 1, 2026, state meal payments are limited to eligible school sites if voters reject the referred tax measure. The November 4, 2025 measure, combined with another tax provision, is tied to at least $150 million in 2026 income-tax collections. Eligible sites include schools qualifying under federal community meal eligibility rules as they exist on November 15, 2025. Colorado's education department can also select sites based on available funding and the share of students certified for free meals. These limits can reduce access to state-supported free meals at other schools.

Backup Education Funding for School Meals

For budget year 2025–26, lawmakers may use State Education Fund money when the school meal program's cash fund falls short. This authority can help cover program costs. The law does not require this backup funding or set an amount.

Fewer Required Changes for School Meals

Colorado's education department can no longer require participating school food authorities to change their programs during the year to maximize federal reimbursements. This removes that state-imposed requirement. The law does not specify a change in meal prices, family eligibility, or federal payments.

School Meal Funding and Backstops Shrink

For 2025–26, school meal funding from the General Fund falls by $42.240242 million. State Education Fund support rises by $8.119271 million, leaving these two appropriations $34.120971 million lower overall. The General Fund shortage backstop applies only to fiscal years starting on or before July 1, 2024. That backstop provision is repealed July 1, 2026. Beginning July 1, 2025, specified meal spending above approved budgets is no longer exempt from General Fund limits and reserve rules.

Schools Face Meal Payment Cuts

For reimbursements after January 1, 2026, Colorado's education department may reduce school meal payments if projected funding falls short. It must consult the state budget office and notify legislative committees. Cuts apply for the rest of that budget year. Each participating school food authority must receive timely written notice before lower payments begin.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

  • Emily Sirota

    Democratic • House

  • Jeff Bridges

    Democratic • Senate

  • Judy Amabile

    Democratic • Senate

  • Rick Taggart

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Andrew Boesenecker

    Democratic • House

  • Alex Valdez

    Democratic • House

  • Chad Clifford

    Democratic • House

  • Eliza Hamrick

    Democratic • House

  • Jennifer Bacon

    Democratic • House

  • Jamie Jackson

    Democratic • House

  • Junie Joseph

    Democratic • House

  • Julie McCluskie

    Democratic • House

  • Jacque Phillips

    Democratic • House

  • Karen McCormick

    Democratic • House

  • Lorena Garcia

    Democratic • House

  • Lindsay Gilchrist

    Democratic • House

  • Monica Duran

    Democratic • House

  • Mandy Lindsay

    Democratic • House

  • Manny Rutinel

    Democratic • House

  • Naquetta Ricks

    Democratic • House

  • Regina English

    Democratic • House

  • Rebekah Stewart

    Democratic • House

  • Sean Camacho

    Democratic • House

  • Sheila Lieder

    Democratic • House

  • Steven Woodrow

    Democratic • House

  • Tammy Story

    Democratic • House

  • William Lindstedt

    Democratic • Senate

  • Yara Zokaie

    Democratic • House

  • Dafna Michaelson Jenet

    Democratic • Senate

  • Janice Marchman

    Democratic • Senate

  • Kyle Mullica

    Democratic • Senate

  • Katie Wallace

    Democratic • Senate

  • Marc Snyder

    Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 348 • No: 81

House vote • 4/23/2025

Conference committee report: Adopt

Yes: 44 • No: 21

Senate vote • 4/23/2025

Conference committee report: Adopt ccr

Yes: 35 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/23/2025

Conference committee report: Repass

Yes: 35 • No: 0

House vote • 4/23/2025

Conference committee report: Repass

Yes: 44 • No: 21

Vote • 4/17/2025

Adopt the first draft conference committee report of the first conference committee on SB 25-214

Yes: 6 • No: 0

House vote • 4/15/2025

Conference committee report: Byd scp

Yes: 53 • No: 11

Senate vote • 4/11/2025

House amendments: Not concur appt cc

Yes: 33 • No: 0

House vote • 4/10/2025

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 42 • No: 21

House vote • 4/8/2025

Adopt amendment L.004

Yes: 8 • No: 3

House vote • 4/8/2025

Refer Senate Bill 25-214, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 9 • No: 2

Senate vote • 4/3/2025

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 34 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/1/2025

Refer Senate Bill 25-214 to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 5 • No: 2

Actions Timeline

  1. Governor Signed

    6/3/2025House

  2. Signed by the President of the Senate

    5/14/2025Senate

  3. Signed by the Speaker of the House

    5/14/2025House

  4. Sent to the Governor

    5/14/2025House

  5. House Consideration of First Conference Committee Report result was to Adopt Committee Report - Repass

    4/23/2025House

  6. Senate Consideration of First Conference Committee Report result was to Adopt Committee Report - Repass

    4/23/2025Senate

  7. Senate Considered House Amendments - Result was to Not Concur - Request Conference Committee

    4/11/2025Senate

  8. House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    4/10/2025House

  9. House Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee

    4/9/2025House

  10. House Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole

    4/8/2025House

  11. Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

    4/3/2025Senate

  12. Introduced In House - Assigned to Appropriations

    4/3/2025House

  13. Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Floor

    4/2/2025Senate

  14. Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to Senate Committee of the Whole

    4/1/2025Senate

  15. Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Appropriations

    3/31/2025Senate

Bill Text

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