CEA Media Release: Colorado Voters Elect Majority Pro-Public Education Candidates in Historic Mid-Term Election

Nov 9, 2022 | Press

CONTACT
Lauren Stephenson
Director of Communications
Colorado Education Association
LStephenson@coloradoea.org
(303) 968-5573

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 9, 2022

Colorado Voters Elect Majority Pro-Public Education Candidates in Historic Mid-Term Election

DENVER, CO – The Colorado Education Association is thrilled to announce historic wins for pro-public school candidates and initiatives up and down the Colorado ballot.

In addition to an incredibly strong showing by pro-public school education candidates on the federal and state level, we are equally excited by the array of wins at virtually every level of Colorado’s local government. Pending the results of outstanding races, Colorado voters may have elected the most public school educators to ever be seated in our state’s government.

Victories by CEA member candidates like Megan Lukens, Barbara McLachlan, and Dave Young; as well as public education champions like Kathy Plomer and Rebecca McClellan for Colorado’s Board of Education, show that Coloradans want more education experts in leadership. In fact, Colorado’s House and Senate, as well as Colorado’s State Board of Education, now all have pro-public school candidate majorities, and the overwhelming majority of CEA’s recommended candidates were voted into office.

We’re also hopeful about the few outstanding races of CEA members and pro-public education candidates such as Janice Marchman, Eliza Hamrick, Mary Young, and Rhonda Solis, who are currently ahead and have had a strong showing thus far.

The CEA is equally encouraged by the successes of ballot measures GG and FF, which will have measurable long-term benefits for our schools, students, educators, and communities. Prop GG will provide much needed transparency to Colorado’s voters when considering tax ballot measures, to ensure that they can confidently vote their values. CEA’s members are also looking forward to the many benefits of Prop FF, which will provide nourishing meals for all of our students, no matter what.

Likewise, we’re excited by the bond and mill levy wins in communities across the state, such as Greeley-Evans, Windsor, Brighton 27A, Mapleton, and Boulder Valley, which will infuse those school districts with sorely needed funding.

It is abundantly clear that Coloradans understand that our public schools need and deserve funding, and when given the chance, voters are excited to invest in their neighborhood schools.

“Colorado voters have spoken: Public education is a central priority for our state,” said Amie Baca-Oehlert, high school counselor and president of the CEA. “It’s clear that the vast majority of Coloradans not only support public schools, but understand that one of the best ways to show that support is by voting their pro-public school values in every election.”

“We’d like to especially thank our 39,000 members who have done so much to get pro-public school candidates elected – and for the critical work that they do every single day,” said Baca-Oehlert.

This pro-public school majority arrives at a critical time for Colorado, when our public schools, our education professionals, and our students are in desperate need of investment. We look forward to working with this new and ambitious slate of leaders to ensure that investing in our students, our education professionals, and our public schools becomes a reality.

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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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CEA Media Release: Colorado’s Education Professionals Are Encouraged by Governor Polis’ Proposed State Budget

Nov 1, 2022 | Press

CONTACT
Lauren Stephenson
Director of Communications
Colorado Education Association
LStephenson@coloradoea.org
303-968-5573

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 1, 2022

Colorado’s Education Professionals Are Encouraged by Governor Polis’ Proposed State Budget
Turns Attention to Legislature to Secure Necessary Investment

DENVER, CO – As the representative of Colorado’s 39,000 education professionals, the Colorado Education Association is encouraged by the level of education funding put forth in Governor Jared Polis’ FY2022-23 state budget announced today.

In particular we commend his dedication to increased investment in per-pupil funding and special education support. In conjunction with the 2021-2022 budget, it’s clear that the Governor understands that there are few priorities that are as critical and consistently underfunded as Colorado’s education system.

We look forward to working with the many public education champions in the legislature to build upon this funding to secure the largest possible investment in our education system.

The CEA and its members are fighting for nothing less than a fully-funded education system. Our state’s robust economy ranks 6th in the nation, but ranks 49th in salaries for education professionals, and 40th in per-pupil spending. By the most generous measure, Colorado’s students have been robbed of at least $10 billion since the implementation of the Budget Stabilization factor in 2010.

To right decades of chronic disinvestment will require not just the elimination of the Budget Stabilization factor, but a reimagining of the restrictive tax code that has led to this financial depletion. Our public schools face many overlapping, complex challenges, all of which would be remedied by an influx of sustained, substantial investment.

Everyday Coloradans understand this and respect our education professionals. 74% of parents approve of their children’s teachers and said they would support a pay increase.

“A fully-funded education system would mean attracting and retaining more educators, smaller class sizes, safer schools equipped with ample mental health professionals – all of which lead to better student outcomes for all students. This is the Colorado that our students deserve, that our education professionals deserve, and the future we all must demand, ” said Amie Baca-Oehlert, high school counselor and president of the Colorado Education Association.

“When we talk about Colorado’s education system, we’re not just talking about our children’s physical schools and facilities. It’s time our legislators realize that without an adequate public education system, Colorado cannot reasonably hope to maintain its status as a magnet for innovation, progress, and democracy. We know that this will be a long fight, and there are many significant battles along the way. But as Colorado’s largest labor union, we will continue to show up and to support pro-public school education leaders and legislation in every facet of our government. Our teachers and students deserve nothing less.”

About the Colorado Education Association
The Colorado Education Association is a membership-based organization that represents 39,000 Colorado education professionals. The CEA promise to our students and communities is that the members of the Association will lead the way in guaranteeing every student access to the best public education. By working collectively with all education stakeholders, we will provide the best public education for every student and assure Colorado’s standing as an excellent state in which to learn, live, work, and raise a family.

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