8legs: Colorado department of education

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Colorado School Finance Act signed into law, with some adjustments to funding for Western Slope districts

The 2026 School Finance Act allocates $10.2 billion to Colorado K-12 public schools for 2026-27 and raises per-pupil funding to $12,325.
Polis signed the act into law on May 28, preserving funding for public schools amid a nearly $1.5 billion budget shortfall.
The cost-of-living factor is frozen for one year to avoid last-minute funding reductions for districts.
The act shifts to a three-year averaging model for student counts starting 2026-27, affecting district funding as enrollment changes.
Smoothing factor amendments plan for a phased in funding approach toward 2030-31 with 16,000 fewer students expected in 2026-27.
The act includes a smoothing factor amendment to replace current student averaging beginning in 2027-28.
The act directs the Colorado Department of Education to send updated factors to districts within 14 days of receiving certified factors.
Some Western Slope districts, like Garfield Re-2 and Aspen, will see smaller funding increases than expected due to the freeze.
Lawmakers maintained funding stability by avoiding cuts to K-12 programs while addressing the budget shortfall.
The law sets a framework for phased implementation of the new funding formula by 2030-31.

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