ColoradoSB26-1702026 Regular SessionSenate

Task Force to Expand Effective Public Schools

Sponsored By: James Coleman (Democratic), Jennifer Bacon (Democratic), Matthew Martinez (Democratic), Scott Bright (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Education & School Finance (Pre & K-12)

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Study focus and final report deadline

The study maps where opportunity gaps occur and which student groups are most affected. It identifies Colorado schools and districts that close gaps and the practices, policies, and conditions that help. It reviews nonfinancial barriers, needed policy changes within existing resources, and promising approaches in other states. It also suggests how to support innovation while keeping academic accountability. A written report with findings and recommendations is due by January 1, 2027, and must include a minority report if requested. If the first meeting is after July 31, 2026, the report is due five months after that meeting.

New task force to close school gaps

The law creates the Access to Opportunity Task Force in the Colorado Department of Education. It has 19 appointed members plus the Commissioner’s designee, chosen by the Governor and legislative leaders. Seats include school leaders from metro Denver, Northern and Southern Colorado, a rural leader from a district with 6,500 or fewer students, educators, parents, charter groups, community groups, and a recent graduate. Initial appointments are due by July 1, 2026. Members serve at the pleasure of the appointing official; vacancies must be filled within 14 days. Members are not paid and do not get expense reimbursement. Remote participation is allowed at every meeting. The first meeting happens within one month after enough donations are received or by July 31, 2026, whichever is later. The Senate President names the chair and the House Speaker names the vice-chair at or before the first meeting. The task force meets at least four times.

Study runs on donations and outside contractor

The Department cannot use the state General Fund for this work. It may accept gifts, grants, and donations and must post each donor and amount within 30 days. The task force starts only after the Commissioner decides donations are sufficient. The Department must hire an independent, preapproved contractor to run meetings, conduct the study, and write the report, paid with donations. The Department must provide staff support and secure access to existing department data to the contractor when the chair requests it.

Task force ends July 1, 2027

The law ends the task force’s authority on July 1, 2027. After that date, the section is repealed and the task force cannot operate. This sunset keeps the effort time-limited.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Jacque Phillips
Democratic • House
Monica Duran
Democratic • House
Naquetta Ricks
Democratic • House
Sen. A. Benavidez
Affiliation unavailable
Barbara Kirkmeyer
Republican • Senate
Cathy Kipp
Democratic • Senate
Iman Jodeh
Democratic • Senate
Judy Amabile
Democratic • Senate
Jeff Bridges
Democratic • Senate
John Carson
Republican • Senate
Julie Gonzales
Democratic • Senate
Kyle Mullica
Democratic • Senate
Lisa Cutter
Democratic • Senate
Lisa Frizell
Republican • Senate
Robert Rodriguez
Democratic • Senate
Tony Exum
Democratic • Senate
Tom Sullivan
Democratic • Senate
William Lindstedt
Democratic • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 110 • No: 37

House vote • 5/13/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 38 • No: 27

House vote • 5/12/2026

Refer Senate Bill 26-170 to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 8 • No: 2

House vote • 5/9/2026

Refer Senate Bill 26-170 to the Committee on Appropriations.

Yes: 9 • No: 1

House vote • 5/6/2026

Refer Senate Bill 26-170 to the Committee on Finance.

Yes: 8 • No: 5

Senate vote • 4/30/2026

Third reading: Bill

Yes: 33 • No: 2

Senate vote • 4/28/2026

Refer Senate Bill 26-170 to the Committee of the Whole.

Yes: 7 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/22/2026

Refer Senate Bill 26-170, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.