All Roll Calls
Yes: 323 • No: 13
ColoradoSB26-0232026 Regular SessionSenateWALLET
School Finance Act
Sponsored By: Barbara Kirkmeyer (Republican), Chris Kolker (Democratic), Emily Sirota (Democratic), Meghan Lukens (Democratic)
Signed by Governor
Education & School Finance (Pre & K-12)
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
12 provisions identified: 9 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Colorado sets school funding baselines
For 2026–27, Colorado sets base school funding at $8,900.40 per student: $8,691.80 plus $208.60 for inflation. This is a base rate, not each school's final funding or a payment to families. Total district funding, including institute charter schools, must reach at least $10.189918642 billion. State officials update estimates using actual enrollment, property values, and prior-year specific ownership tax revenue. Both statutory rules repeal on July 1, 2032.
More school retirees can preserve pensions
The law adds assistant superintendents, vice principals, and assistant principals to covered jobs for qualifying Colorado PERA retirees. They can earn salary without pension cuts for any length of employment in a calendar year. The hiring district, cooperative services board, or charter school must find a critical shortage and that the retiree's qualifications help. Working for an employer during the month retirement takes effect triggers existing benefit reductions. Retirees who left before meeting full age and service requirements still must wait two years to rejoin their last school-division employer.
Broader funding for student career pathways
Education providers can receive multiple sustain-funding payments for one student, including students in P-TECH schools or TREP programs. Students also qualify through prior-year college credit, industry credentials, or completed work-based learning requirements. In 2026–27, funding shares are 20% for college credit, 40% for credentials, 37% for work-based learning, and 3% for administration. Starting in 2027–28, the State Board sets the student-outcome shares; administration stays at 3%. Board rules set eligibility, payment rates, provider and category caps, and distributions based on opportunities, participation, and results.
Districts get funding floors and aid
For 2026–27, each district's total program funding is no lower than its 2024–25 amount. The state compares that floor with the older formula amount plus 30% of any increase under the newer formula. If the newer formula gives less, the state compares only the older formula amount with the 2024–25 floor. The law also provides $3.755558 million for 2025–26 and $5.375404 million for 2026–27 from the State Education Fund. The education department may use these funds for the state's share of district funding, not direct household payments.
Inflation-linked funding for special education students
For budget years beginning in 2022–23, the stated special education funding amount is $1,750 per child receiving services. The stated amount for earlier years is $1,250. The amount adjusts annually using the Denver–Aurora–Lakewood consumer price index, or its successor, rounded to the nearest dollar. Funding goes to the school units providing services, not directly to families.
Dedicated pay funding for meal workers
Participating school food authorities and charter schools under participating charter school food authorities qualify for dedicated meal-worker pay funding. Recipients must use 100% of that dedicated amount for wage increases or stipends for employees who directly prepare and serve meals. They must apply the increases or stipends in the budget year they receive the money. Recipients must submit documentation required by State Board rules. The law does not set an amount for each worker.
Clearer district rules for disabled children
The State Board must make rules for deciding a child's district of residence when existing law does not cover the situation. These rules address children with disabilities. They help identify the district responsible for the child but do not create a direct household payment.
Grants support struggling schools' redesign plans
The law creates school transformation grants for districts, the Charter School Institute, and charter schools. For awards issued on or after July 1, 2026, recipients must be carrying out a priority improvement or turnaround plan. Grants support planning and carrying out rigorous school redesign strategies. They can fund public or private providers with research-based methods and demonstrated success. Awards depend on available appropriations; earlier grants follow a separate statutory framework.
Schools get help with placement costs
Beginning in 2026–27, Colorado provides $1 million each year to reimburse school units for qualifying special education placement costs. Students must have an individualized education program and lack a parent or guardian available or authorized to make education decisions. A public agency must place them in an approved facility school or an out-of-state residential child care or treatment facility. Units apply under State Board rules; funds are divided by their shares of qualifying children counted the previous December. No unit can receive more than its prior-year tuition payments for those students.
Past rural school aid rule ends
On July 1, 2026, the law repeals a contingency-reserve aid rule for rural and small rural districts. It covered financial burdens from withheld property taxes following audit delays caused by extraordinary, unforeseeable problems districts could not prevent. The aid rule covered only the 2021–22, 2022–23, and 2023–24 budget years. The law also repeals specified school-budget subsections on July 1, 2026.
School food grants expand with limits
Local food grants include eligible charter schools operating under participating charter school food authorities. Grantees must purchase Colorado-grown, raised, or processed products and run advisory committees with students and parents reflecting student demographics. Spending limits are 25% for value-added processed products, 12% for advisory committees, and 10% for allowed compliance costs. The department must reduce grants unlikely to be fully spent and redirect money to eligible grantees with calculated awards under $25,000. Redistribution prioritizes the highest identified student percentages and greatest financial need; annual reports and invoice reviews enforce compliance.
Student pathways funding shifts from administration
The law provides $267,424 for 2026–27 Student Pathways workforce-readiness sustain support for students with limited English proficiency. It also reduces the State Education Fund appropriation for Student Pathways administration by $267,424. These adjustments take effect only if the 2026–27 general appropriation act becomes law. The administration cut is not required if that act provides less than $267,424 for that use, or nothing. The funding supports programs, not direct payments to students or families.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Barbara Kirkmeyer
Republican • Senate
Chris Kolker
Democratic • Senate
Emily Sirota
Democratic • House
Meghan Lukens
Democratic • House
Cosponsors
Andrew Boesenecker
Democratic • House
Amy Paschal
Democratic • House
Bob Marshall
Democratic • House
Chad Clifford
Democratic • House
Eliza Hamrick
Democratic • House
Gretchen Rydin
Democratic • House
Jennifer Bacon
Democratic • House
Jamie Jackson
Democratic • House
Julie McCluskie
Democratic • House
Jacque Phillips
Democratic • House
Kyle Brown
Democratic • House
Karen McCormick
Democratic • House
Kenny Nguyen
Democratic • House
Katie Stewart
Democratic • House
Lorena Garcia
Democratic • House
Lindsay Gilchrist
Democratic • House
Lori Goldstein
Democratic • House
Lesley Smith
Democratic • House
Monica Duran
Democratic • House
Meg Froelich
Democratic • House
Mandy Lindsay
Democratic • House
Manny Rutinel
Democratic • House
Naquetta Ricks
Democratic • House
Regina English
Democratic • House
Ryan Gonzalez
Republican • House
Rebekah Stewart
Democratic • House
Rick Taggart
Republican • House
Sean Camacho
Democratic • House
Tisha Mauro
Democratic • House
Tammy Story
Democratic • House
Yara Zokaie
Democratic • House
Cathy Kipp
Democratic • Senate
Cleave Simpson
Republican • Senate
Dylan Roberts
Democratic • Senate
Iman Jodeh
Democratic • Senate
Judy Amabile
Democratic • Senate
Jeff Bridges
Democratic • Senate
John Carson
Republican • Senate
James Coleman
Democratic • Senate
Julie Gonzales
Democratic • Senate
Janice Marchman
Democratic • Senate
Kyle Mullica
Democratic • Senate
Katie Wallace
Democratic • Senate
Lisa Cutter
Democratic • Senate
Lindsey Daugherty
Democratic • Senate
Lisa Frizell
Republican • Senate
Larry Liston
Republican • Senate
Matt Ball
Democratic • Senate
Marc Catlin
Republican • Senate
Marc Snyder
Democratic • Senate
Mike Weissman
Democratic • Senate
Rod Pelton
Republican • Senate
Scott Bright
Republican • Senate
Tony Exum
Democratic • Senate
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 5/13/2026
House amendments: Concur
Yes: 34 • No: 1
Senate vote • 5/13/2026
House amendments: Repass
Yes: 32 • No: 3
House vote • 5/12/2026
Third reading: Perm
Yes: 65 • No: 0
House vote • 5/12/2026
Third reading: Amd (l.044)
Yes: 65 • No: 0
House vote • 5/12/2026
Third reading: Bill
Yes: 57 • No: 8
House vote • 5/11/2026
Refer Senate Bill 26-023, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.
Yes: 9 • No: 1
House vote • 4/30/2026
Refer Senate Bill 26-023 to the Committee on Appropriations.
Yes: 13 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/29/2026
Third reading: Bill
Yes: 34 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/24/2026
Refer Senate Bill 26-023, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.
Yes: 7 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/20/2026
Refer Senate Bill 26-023, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.
Yes: 7 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Governor Signed
5/28/2026HouseSigned by the President of the Senate
5/19/2026SenateSigned by the Speaker of the House
5/19/2026HouseSent to the Governor
5/19/2026HouseSenate Considered House Amendments - Result was to Concur - Repass
5/13/2026SenateHouse Third Reading Passed with Amendments - Floor
5/12/2026HouseHouse Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
5/12/2026HouseHouse Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to House Committee of the Whole
5/11/2026HouseHouse Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor
5/11/2026HouseHouse Committee on Education Refer Unamended to Appropriations
4/30/2026HouseSenate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments
4/29/2026SenateIntroduced In House - Assigned to Education
4/29/2026HouseSenate Second Reading Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor
4/28/2026SenateSenate Committee on Appropriations Refer Amended to Senate Committee of the Whole
4/24/2026SenateSenate Committee on Education Refer Amended to Appropriations
4/20/2026SenateIntroduced In Senate - Assigned to Education
1/14/2026Senate
Bill Text
Engrossed
Final Act
Introduced
Reengrossed
Rerevised
Revised
Senate Appropriations Preamend
Senate Education Preamend
Signed Act
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