PUEBLO, CO – Today educators, parents, students and advocates officially launched the Yes for Colorado Kids statewide campaign in support of Proposition NN at Pueblo County High School.
“I am so proud to stand with educators, school board members, education support professionals and other school staff, parents, students, and advocacy groups in support of Proposition NN,” said Kevin Vick, President of the Colorado Education Association and an educator of more than 20 years. “This measure is about fostering a public education system that works for all Coloradans – a system that prepares our children for success, strengthens our workforce, and builds healthier, more prosperous communities across Colorado. We believe voters will choose to invest in our kids, our families, and our future by voting Yes on Proposition NN.”
“Public schools are the backbone of our communities,” said Kate Pacheck, President of the Pueblo County Education Association. “They’re where neighbors gather and where traditions are built. Our public schools are where the next generation of nurses, farmers, mechanics, engineers, teachers, entrepreneurs, and community leaders begin their journey. This is our chance to invest in our students and the people who make public education possible, and build stronger communities for years to come. On behalf of every educator already putting in long hours at school, prepping for kids they haven’t met yet, I hope you’ll join me in voting yes on Proposition NN.”
“Every day, Colorado educators show up for our students in understaffed classrooms. We see the immediate impact when a student who desperately needs a paraprofessional, a counselor, or specialized academic support goes without it because the resources simply aren’t there,” said Anna Valencia, early childhood educator. “Instead of worrying about whether our next paycheck will make it through the month, we should be able to focus on what matters most: helping students learn, grow, and succeed.”
“Every community is unique, but one challenge connects us all: our schools have been asked to do more with less for far too long,” said Edie Flanagin, President of the Huerfano RE-1 School Board. “In Huerfano County, we experience these pressures every day.
We are a small district with outstanding students, committed educators, and strong community support. But as inflation and operating costs continue to climb, competing for qualified teachers and retaining the talented staff we already have has become increasingly challenging. Our students deserve better, and we have the opportunity to do something about it. That’s why I am proud to support Proposition NN.”
“Like so many, teaching isn’t just a job, it’s my passion. Every day, I have the privilege of helping young students build skills, gain confidence, and prepare for their futures,” said Camillia Romero, special education teacher. “High housing costs and overall costs of living are making it more difficult for teachers to afford to live in the communities where we teach, and where we want to call home. We can, and must, do better for our teachers, our students, and our communities. A yes vote on Proposition NN will make meaningful, long-term investments in our teachers, classrooms, and students. It will provide schools with the resources they need to reduce class sizes, improve teacher recruitment and retention, and give every student the support they deserve.”
“Teachers are stretched thin from low pay and lack of resources, and we want teachers that can afford a living without relying on any outside sources, teachers who can commit to the classroom and students, who aren’t distracted by low pay, who can not only survive but thrive in the position they are in,” said Jim Pacheck, student at Pueblo West High School. “This isn’t just about helping today, it’s about building up a better Colorado for tomorrow. The people sitting in classes today will become builders of tomorrow. As students we dream big and want to go places, we want to make an impact, Prop NN will help us do exactly that. As students we work hard, show up, and prepare for what’s next, but we need our state to invest in us as well.”
“As a counselor, as a parent, and as a member of this community, I want to see our schools and our students succeed,” said Katie Brown, school counselor. “Supporting our schools is an investment in our children, our workforce, and Colorado’s future. That’s why I support Proposition NN. Proposition NN gives Colorado the opportunity to fix that — without raising a single cent in taxes. It is a long-overdue commitment to public education. This is our opportunity to invest in our students, strengthen our schools, and help ensure every child has the support they need to learn, grow, and thrive.”
Proposition NN will allow Colorado to provide more critical funding for the state’s severely underresourced public education system. The revenue must be used to increase teacher salaries and retention rates, reduce class sizes, and invest in career and technical education to support our future workforce and ensure students learn real-world skillsets–without raising taxes. To accomplish this, Proposition NN raises Colorado’s 30-year-old, outdated revenue cap, allowing the state to keep revenue it already collects. The measure also includes an annual independent audit so that Coloradans know how every dollar is spent and that funding is going directly to students and schools.
Colorado currently underfunds every student by about $4,600 a year. While one of the biggest determinants of a student’s success is passionate, talented teachers, Colorado ranks 50th in teacher wage competitiveness, but has the third highest housing costs in the country and the fourth highest cost of living overall. Proposition NN will allow the state to shore up these funding gaps without increasing taxes.