May 9, 2023 | Press
CONTACT
Lauren Stephenson
LStephenson@coloradoea.org
(303) 968-5571
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 9, 2023
Colorado Educators Celebrate Historic, Momentous Legislative Session
DENVER – This Monday evening, the Colorado legislature ended an historic legislative session for educators, students, and public schools. Thanks in no small part to the fierce advocacy of the Colorado Education Association’s 39,000 members, our state made incredible gains in educators’ priorities and core areas of concern including:
Investment
- Increased funding through the School Finance Act (SB 23-287)
- $180 million buydown of the Budget Stabilization Factor
- $30 million for rural schools
- $1,018 increase in per-pupil spending, a 10.6% increase
- $40 million additional funding for Special Education (SB 23-099)
- Reduction of property taxes (SB23-303)
- Increased the supply of affordable housing (HB 23-1304, HB 23-1255, SB 23-035)
- Additional investment in PERA (SB 23-056)
Respect
- The largest increase in educator and public workers rights in a decade (SB 23-111)
- Solutions to the teacher shortage (HB 23-1064, HB 23-1001, HB 23-1212, SB 23-087)
- Modernizing the Accountability System (HB 23-1241)
Safety
- Educator inclusion as reporters in the Extreme Risk Protection Order bill (SB 23-170)
- Passage of four additional common sense gun bills (SB 23-168, SB 23-169, SB 23-279, HB 23-1219)
- Establishment of the Office of School Safety, including grant funding for any school that wishes to establish a co-responder model (SB 23-241)
- School lunch programs (SB 23-221)
- Increased mental health supports (HB 23-1003, SB 23-004)
Amie Baca-Oehlert, high school counselor and president of the Colorado Education Association said: “We started this year on a high after electing three of our member educators to the Colorado state legislature and passing the Healthy School Meals for all in November. There were plenty of challenges, but our members kept showing up – calling, emailing, and driving across the state – to ensure our representatives knew exactly what our educators and students need. It’s no coincidence that in many areas, the legislation passed was even more in line with educators’ goals than was originally forecasted. It is clear we have many legislative champions who really listened to the needs of our students and public schools.”
“The session started off on a high with the passage of HB23-1064 Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact, which is an important win in the fight to combat statewide teacher shortages. It was a particularly momentous win as it was sponsored by three of our very own member educators, Representative Meghan Lukens, Representative Mary Young, and Senator Janice Marchman.”
““As our State of Education report outlined in January, the CEA has been focused on prioritizing our educator’s needs around the pillars of more investment, respect and safety for our educators, our students, and our schools. We’re thrilled to have accomplished so much that we set out to in our legislative agenda. Throughout the legislative session, every CEA member, as well as our students, parents, and community of supporters, played an important role in ensuring the success of this session’s consequential legislation. We look forward to seeing the measurable improvements this will bring in the lives of Colorado students and educators.”
“We are incredibly disappointed, however, that our legislators neglected to pass several bold fixes for Colorado’s affordable housing crisis – such as SB23-213 Land Use, HB23-1115 Repeal Prohibition Local Residential Rent Control, and HB23-1171 Just Cause Requirement Eviction of Residential Tenant. Housing accessibility is a top concern for Colorado residents, and a lack of affordable housing disproportionately affects educators. This is a crisis and it must be treated as such. The average teacher in Eagle County takes home less than $3,800 per month, while the average 2-bedroom apartment costs more than $2,030 – that’s 53 percent of their monthly income going to rent. When educators can’t live in the communities where they work teach, it is our students who lose out on dedicated teachers who will support their academic, personal, social and physical growth.”
“Following this legislative session’s close, our members’ attention will next turn to their local school board races. We are united in our view that all Colorado school boards should represent their communities, and should always work to center educators in all discussions and decisions regarding their schools. A successful school board works together with our educators to pursue solutions to the real, systemic challenges faced by our students, and we look forward to supporting candidates with those same values.”
“We will also be redoubling our efforts – in coalition with our labor and organizational partners at Together We Thrive – to push for the substantive systemic changes that are necessary for fully-funded schools. It is clear that Coloradans value our educators and want what’s best for our students. Enacting bold, systemic change is the only way to ensure that our public school system matches Coloradans’ ideals, and it is the only way to ensure that our students – no matter their color, background, or zip code – are able to enjoy the inclusive, safe, and honest education they deserve.”
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For more information on the Colorado Education Association’s Legislative Agenda:
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About the Colorado Education Association
The Colorado Education Association is the voice of 39,000 educators, working together in a strong union to ensure all students get the exceptional public schools they deserve, in every neighborhood across the state. As Colorado’s largest labor union, CEA works collectively with all education stakeholders to ensure Colorado’s standing as an excellent state in which to learn, live, work, and raise a family.
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May 3, 2023 | Press, Uncategorized
CONTACT
Lauren Stephenson
Director of Communications
Colorado Education Association
LStephenson@coloradoea.org
(303) 968-5573
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 3, 2023
Historic Bill Grants Educators and All Public Employees Workplace Protections
Safeguards Will Boost Teacher Retention, Workplace Safety
DENVER, CO – Today, Colorado’s public workers were finally granted the same workplace protections that private sector workers have enjoyed for over 90 years. With the passage of SB23-111, the Public Employees’ Workplace Protection bill, all public employees are legally safe from retaliation, harassment, and other workplace threats.
Amie Baca-Oehlert, high school counselor and president of the Colorado Education Association, testified in support of this historic legislation. On its final passage today, she said, “On behalf of CEA’s 39,000 public school educators, I am thrilled to see that our legislative leadership listened to the hundreds of Colorado teachers who lobbied, emailed, texted, and called them this session. Finally, we will be able to advocate for ourselves, for our colleagues, and for our students without fear.”
During legislative hearings for SB23-111, educators from JeffCo to Woodland Park to Saguache shared their stories of unsafe workplaces and retaliatory actions. Just this year, Colorado educators (like David Graf of Woodland Park and Kevin Walek of Mountain Valley) have been retaliated against for “offenses” such as speaking at a school board meeting, advocating for innovative curriculum, or asking for safe staffing levels in their classrooms.
The Public Employees’ Workplace Protection bill aims to shield public workers from these harms by granting all public employees rights similar to those of Colorado’s private sector employees. SB23-111 gives public workers the right to do the following without employment repercussion:
- Discuss or express their opinions about workplace issues, and discuss their rights as workers, when discussing and addressing their concerns
- Organize, form, join, or assist an employee organization*, or refrain from organizing, forming, joining, or assisting an employee organization
- Engage in protected, concerted activity for the purpose of mutual aid or protection
- Fully participate in the political process while off-duty and not in uniform, including speaking with members of the public employer’s governing body on any matter of public concern, or on the terms and conditions of employment
Said Baca-Oehlert: “Without the protected right to advocate for ourselves and our students, our educators have often felt demoralized and disrespected, and increasingly, they are dropping out of the profession. The passage of SB23-111 shows our educators and all of our public workers that our legislators hear their concerns and understand their integral role in Colorado’s success. We’re grateful for the leadership of bill sponsors Senator Robert Rodriguez, and Representatives Brianna Titone and Steven Woodrow, as well as the entire Democratic Caucus. Colorado educators and all public workers who provide such critical sertices to our communities, eagerly await being granted the respect and legal protection they deserve when Governor Polis signs this bill into law.”
*As defined by this bill, “employee organization” means an organization independent of the employer in which public employees may participate and that exists for the purpose, in whole or in part, of acting on behalf of and for the benefit of the public employees concerning public employee grievances, labor disputes, wages, hours, and other terms and conditions of employment. “Employee organization” includes any agents or representatives of the employee organization designated by the employee organization.
About the Colorado Education Association
The Colorado Education Association is the voice of 39,000 educators, working together in a strong union to ensure all students get the exceptional public schools they deserve, in every neighborhood across the state. As Colorado’s largest labor union, CEA works collectively with all education stakeholders to ensure Colorado’s standing as an excellent state in which to learn, live, work, and raise a family.
Follow CEA on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
May 2, 2023 | Press
CONTACT
Lauren Stephenson
Director of Communications
Colorado Education Association
LStephenson@coloradoea.org
(303) 968-5573
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2023
Educators, Students, and Public Schools Win Crucial Investment
School Finance Act Passes with $180 Million Towards B.S. Factor Buydown
DENVER, CO – Thousands of Colorado educators and their supporters have signed petitions, called and emailed their elected officials, talked to legislators at the Capitol, and shared with Colorado leadership what an underfunded education system has meant for them and their students.
The School Finance Act that passed today shows that our legislators listened.
The 2023-2024 School Finance Act buys down the B.S. Factor by $180 million – a figure that is more than five times the original estimate outlined in Governor Jared Polis’ initial budget proposal late last year. This is a monumental victory for Colorado educators, students, and communities, and a critical infusion of funding for our public schools.
Some highlights of the School Finance Act include:
- $180 million dedicated to buying down the Budget Stabilization Factor; and a public commitment to fully buy down the Budget Stabilization Factor in 2024
- $30 million of additional funding for rural schools
- A new task force to study the modernization of the School Finance Act
- An adequacy study tasked with determining how much funding is needed to provide all Colorado students with an exemplar education
Said Baca-Oehlert: “To each one of the hundreds of educators who took hours and days out of their crowded schedule to text, email, call, or travel across our state to share their story: Know that you have made a huge difference. This School Finance Act is a critical first step to creating a sustainable, fully-funded public education system.“
“We are also encouraged by legislative leadership’s announcement today of a property tax relief package. Affordable housing is a critical component of our educators’ success, and the success of all of our communities. Where affordable housing is hard to find, so are educators. This property tax relief legislation will protect the funding of valuable entities in our state, like our schools, while giving Coloradans some much-needed tax relief in these financially uncertain times.”
“While the property tax relief legislative package, in conjunction with the School Finance Act, is a great step in the right direction, it’s important to note that even with these investments Colorado’s school funding will still be far below the national average.”
“Colorado’s future depends on enacting a long-term, systemic fix which will provide additional revenue sources for our public school system. Until such change is enacted, our schools, our educators, our students, and all Coloradans will continue to be short-changed. The only way to ensure that we have the education system worthy of our students and educators is to dedicate ourselves to a sustainable long-term investment.”
About the Colorado Education Association
The Colorado Education Association is the voice of 39,000 educators, working together in a strong union to ensure all students get the exceptional public schools they deserve, in every neighborhood across the state. As Colorado’s largest labor union, CEA works collectively with all education stakeholders to ensure Colorado’s standing as an excellent state in which to learn, live, work, and raise a family.
Follow CEA on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
Apr 18, 2023 | Press
CONTACT
Lauren Stephenson
Director of Communications
LStephenson@coloradoea.org
303-968-5573
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 18, 2023
Colorado Students, Educators, and Schools Win Critical Statewide Investment
School Finance Act Earmarks $150 Million in B.S. Factor Buydown
DENVER, CO – Over the past few months, thousands of Colorado educators have signed petitions, called and emailed their elected officials, talked to legislators at the Capitol, and shared what an underfunded education system has meant for them and their students. The School Finance Act released today shows that our legislators listened.
The 2023-2024 School Finance Act buys down the B.S. Factor by $150 million – a figure that is more than four times the estimate outlined in Governor Jared Polis’ initial budget proposal. This is a monumental victory for Colorado educators, students, and communities and a critical infusion of funding for our public schools.
Amie Baca-Oehlert, high school counselor and president of the Colorado Education Association, said, “I’m incredibly proud of our members and leaders, who sacrifice so much every day, and who speak up for our students and the funding they deserve.”
Some highlights of the School Finance Act include:
- $150 million dedicated to buying down the Budget Stabilization Factor; and a public commitment to fully buy down the Budget Stabilization Factor in 2024
- $30 million of additional funding for rural schools
A new task force to study the modernization of the School Finance Act
- An adequacy study, tasked with determining how much funding is needed to provide all Colorado students with an exemplar education
This School Finance Act is just the latest in a legislative session that has been replete with wins for educators and their supporters. On Monday, the CEA celebrated the passage of SB23-111, the Public Employees’ Workplace Protections Bill, in the Senate. This bill will ensure educators and public workers are afforded the same critical workplace protections that the private sector has had access to for decades. Additionally, last month, Governor Polis signed the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact bill, a bill led by CEA members in the legislature that will add more qualified educators to our schools by removing bureaucratic hurdles.
Said Baca-Oehlert, “It’s clear our 39,000 educator members made an indelible impact this session. Hundreds of educators took hours and days out of their crowded schedules to text, email, call, and travel across our state to share their stories with our legislative leaders. We are grateful to the legislators who introduced a School Finance Act that shows they listened to the pleas of our dedicated educators.”
Baca-Oehlert continued, “These legislative wins are encouraging, and CEA members should be so proud of our united efforts. These investments will go a long way to providing needed funding for our education system. But our schools have been underfunded since the Great Recession to the tune of $10 billion. In order to create the public education system that our students need and deserve, we need a far larger, more far-reaching fix.”
“Colorado’s future depends on enacting a long-term, systemic change to provide additional revenue sources for our public school system. Until such change is enacted, our schools, our educators, our students, and all Coloradans will continue to be short-changed. The only way to ensure we have the education system worthy of our students and educators is to dedicate ourselves to a sustainable long-term investment.”
About the Colorado Education Association
The Colorado Education Association is the voice of 39,000 educators, working together in a strong union to ensure all students get the exceptional public schools they deserve, in every neighborhood across the state. As Colorado’s largest labor union, CEA works collectively with all education stakeholders to ensure Colorado’s standing as an excellent state in which to learn, live, work, and raise a family.
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Mar 15, 2023 | Press
CONTACT
Lauren Stephenson
Director of Communications
Colorado Education Association
LStephenson@coloradoea.org
(303) 968-5573
FOR PRESS: PHOTOS OF BILL SIGNING
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2023
Colorado Education Association Celebrates Passage of
Educator-Sponsored Bill to Combat Teacher Shortage
DENVER — The Colorado Education Association is excited to announce the passage of an important piece of legislation that will benefit Colorado public school students and educators. Signed into law by Governor Jared Polis, HB23-1064, or the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact, will add more qualified educators to our schools by removing bureaucratic hurdles.
This bill is particularly significant for the CEA, which represents 39,000 public educators statewide. Said president Amie Baca-Oehlert: “We’re thrilled to see the Interstate Teacher Mobility Compact be signed into law – this is an important win in the fight to combat statewide teacher shortages. And we’re particularly excited to see the passage of a bill sponsored by three of our very own member educators, Representative Meghan Lukens, Representative Mary Young, and Senator Janice Marchman.”
Rep. Lukens left her position teaching Social Studies just three months ago, after being elected to office. Sen. Marchman is a Math teacher and former Thompson School Board vice president. Rep. Mary Young is a former special education teacher and current school psychologist. Lukens, Marchman, and Young are prime examples as to the importance of having educator leadership wherever education decisions are made.
Said Baca-Oehlert, “The CEA proudly champions any initiative that gets more qualified, licensed educators teaching in our classrooms and becoming a part of our community. We’re so proud to see important legislation like this led by our own members, and signed into law. With educators like Sen. Marchman, Rep. Lukens and Rep. Young in leadership, we’ve no doubt that this bill is just the beginning of educator-driven solutions for our public schools.” said Baca-Oehlert.
The CEA would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you and congratulations to HB23-1064 co-sponsor Sen. Chris Kolker, who has been a staunch ally in the battle to create public schools that fulfill all of our students’ and educators’ needs.
Why HB23-1064 is Needed
Currently, educators who would like to teach in Colorado often have to wait several months, and take several additional tests, in order to legally teach the same subjects that they are licensed and qualified to teach in another state.
These inefficiencies are particularly galling given the nationwide and statewide educator shortage. CEA’s annual State of Education report found that 85% of our educators felt as though the educator shortage was worse than it had ever been.
This bill will eliminate many of these barriers for prospective Colorado educators, thereby increasing the efficiency with which qualified educators can be employed at our public schools.
“Many of our educators already come from out of state, and it’s a priority to do what we can to make that pathway as smooth as possible. This school year began with a significant number of unfilled positions statewide – there was not one district that was completely staffed. Our hope is that this bill will allow us to start the next school year, and the years that follow, in a better position,” said Baca-Oehlert.
About the Colorado Education Association
The Colorado Education Association is the voice of 39,000 educators, working together in a strong union to ensure all students get the exceptional public schools they deserve, in every neighborhood across the state. As Colorado’s largest labor union, CEA works collectively with all education stakeholders to ensure Colorado’s standing as an excellent state in which to learn, live, work, and raise a family.
Follow CEA on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram
