The Issue: Education Funding
Public schools in Colorado are funded through a mix of local property taxes, state revenues, and federal funding. While federal funds support specific programs such as special education, school nutrition, and Title I services, nearly 90% of school funding comes from state and local sources, meaning state-level restrictions like TABOR have an outsized impact on classrooms, educators, and communities. But decades of restrictive laws and corporate influence have left Colorado’s public schools among the most underfunded in the nation. Our students and educators deserve better.
Colorado’s unique tax code, combined with the state’s Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR), limits how much our state can invest in essential public services, even in good years. That means even when Colorado runs a budget surplus, those dollars can’t be used to fund education.
Since 2009, TABOR has drained nearly $10 billion from public schools, forcing educators to do more with less—larger class sizes, outdated materials, and growing shortages of teachers and support staff.
Despite a booming economy, Colorado still ranks near the bottom nationally in starting teacher pay, comes in last for wage competitiveness, and is over $4,000 short in per-pupil funding.
Educator Pay
Educator pay in Colorado remains among the lowest in the country.
- The starting teacher salary in Colorado is just $39,044, ranking 46th nationally (NEA, 2024)
- In FY 2022-23, the average teacher salary was $63,224, placing Colorado 24th nationally for average pay (NEA, 2024)
- The average K-12 ESP salary in Colorado is $35,249, ranking #21 in the nation (NEA, 2024)
Many educators and education support professionals work multiple jobs just to make ends meet. This ongoing pay crisis drives dedicated staff out of schools and discourages new educators from entering the profession.
Wage Competitiveness
Colorado educators make 38.5% less than similarly educated professionals in other industries—a record-high teacher pay penalty (Economic Policy Institute, 2024). This means Colorado ranks last in the nation for its teacher pay gap, with teachers earning only about 62¢ for every dollar earned by their peers with similar education and experience.
This widening gap makes it harder to recruit and retain qualified educators, especially in rural and high-cost-of-living areas. Teachers shouldn’t have to choose between serving their communities and supporting their families.
Per Pupil Funding
The NEA reports a per-student expenditure of $16,889 for, ranking Colorado 21st in the nation (NEA, 2024).
Despite these increases, Colorado still underfunds students by roughly $4,000–$4,500 per child each year, amounting to a $4 billion statewide shortfall (CDE, 2024). This lack of investment directly affects the people at the heart of public education, our students and educators.
Underfunded schools mean larger class sizes, fewer counselors and nurses, outdated learning materials, and limited opportunities for enrichment programs. Educators are forced to stretch already thin resources, often paying out of pocket to meet their students’ needs, while students lose access to the individualized attention and supports that help them thrive.
How TABOR Hurts Public Education
Colorado’s Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR) limits how much the state can spend, even in strong economic years—and requires voter approval for any tax changes. This has locked away billions that could have supported schools, educators, and students. Since 2009, TABOR has drained nearly $10 billion from public education, forcing constant funding fights just to maintain basic services.
Meanwhile, wealthy donors and corporate-backed groups like Democrats for Education Reform, Stand for Children, and Ready Colorado profit from privatization and “school choice” policies that divert public funds to private hands. These schemes deepen inequality and leave classrooms under-resourced while investors benefit.
It’s time to fix what’s broken. Colorado must reform outdated tax limits, ensure the wealthiest pay their fair share, and reinvest in educators and students—not hedge funds.