Colorado Education Association Congratulates Early Victors

Nov 4, 2020 | Press

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 3, 2020

Colorado Education Association Congratulates Early Victors
Many races still to be called

DENVER – After a long campaign hampered by the effects of a global pandemic, the 39,000 members of the Colorado Education Association (CEA), along with the rest of the nation, await to learn the results of the presidential election. Over the coming days, and possibly weeks, the CEA pledges to assist in any way we can to ensure that every vote is counted and that the United States swears in an administration elected by and for the people.

“Tonight and over the coming days, our democracy will be tested,” said Amie Baca-Oehlert, high school counselor and president of the Colorado Education Association.“Now is the time for our country to come together to ensure that all votes are counted.”

CEA members congratulate former Gov. John Hickenlooper for his election to the United States Senate. Senator-elect Hickenlooper will bring leadership to the Senate by bringing Coloradans together and putting Colorado students first. We look forward to working with Senator-elect Hickenlooper and thank him for his unwavering commitment to students, educators, families and labor.

Congratulations to CEA recommended federal candidates Rep. Diane DeGette (CD-1), Rep. Joe Neguse (CD-2), Rep. Jason Crow (CD-6) and Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CD-7) on their wins tonight. We look forward to continuing to work with them to ensure our public schools are welcoming to all students and to ensure that all students have access to great public schools, regardless of the zip code in which they live. We anxiously await the results of CEA recommended candidate, Diane Mitsch Bush’s CD-3 race.

While we await the results of many of Colorado’s ballot measures, Colorado voters agreed that it was time to repeal the Gallagher Amendment. As a result, nearly a quarter of a billion dollars will remain in Colorado public schools next year; funding desperately needed in the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic and more than a decade of K-12 budget deficits.

Voters also passed Proposition EE because they recognize the need to direct additional revenue to public education, including K-12 education and support for rural schools, the expansion of preschool programs, affordable housing, eviction assistance, tobacco education and health care. We look forward to working with our state legislators to maximize the use of these funds for Colorado students.

We are happy that voters chose families over corporate interests with the passing of Proposition 118. Many of our members and their students’ families now won’t have to choose between caring for their families and their job.

CEA congratulates those who were successful in passing more than $1.5 billion worth of local mill levy and bond measures across the state. Too many of our local school districts are forced to go to voters each year to make up for budget shortfalls. With many districts still struggling to recover from the Great Recession and now suffering the impacts of the global COVID-19 pandemic, we know that we need to come together as a state to find creative and sustainable ways to improve public education funding. When we come together, we make the way for a better future for all Coloradans.

“We are witnessing our democratic process unfold,” said Baca-Oehlert.“We’re so proud of our members and their efforts during this election and for the work they do every day to educate the students of Colorado.”

About the Colorado Education Association
The Colorado Education Association is a membership-based organization that represents 39,000 Colorado educators. 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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CEA media release: Educators and Parents: Proposition 117 Gets an ‚ÄòF’ for“Foolish”

Oct 27, 2020 | Press

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 27, 2020

Educators and Parents: Proposition 117 Gets an ‚ÄòF’ for“Foolish”

Leading Education Advocates Urge Colorado Voters to Reject 117

DENVER – Educators, parents, and education advocates are raising concerns about Proposition 117, a confusing and vague proposal on the 2020 ballot. The ballot question restricts the use of state enterprises, which include unemployment insurance and college savings accounts, and jeopardizes funding for essential programs. If 117 passes, state legislators would be forced to ransack the state budget and slash current funding for education to pay for other critical services.

“Our schools are underfunded by billions of dollars in Colorado. Yet, this year we are once again under attack. Proposition 117 creates needless risk and instability for Colorado. If 117 passes, big business will enjoy large savings as they make taxpayers pay for the services they use for things like their emission violations. Unlike the special interests backing this effort, we believe supporting Colorado’s families and children should be a bigger priority than lining the pockets of special interests. Prop 117 puts Colorado on a glide path toward more devastating budget cuts that will take much needed resources away from classrooms and educators, hurting our students and families,” said Amie Baca-Oehlert, high school counselor and president of the Colorado Education Association.

For decades, Colorado’s students and parents have dealt with the brunt of special interests and big businesses hijacking the state budget for their own bottom line. Now they’re back again, in the middle of a pandemic, as families wrestle with the challenges of remote learning, to try and pull a fast one on Colorado voters with Proposition 117.

“School districts are once again being asked to do more with less. We are working to keep students and teachers safe during a pandemic, trying to meet critical needs in our schools and communities and now this measure could create more risk and chaos in our budget. We can’t absorb any more– we need voters to reject Proposition 117” said Monica Johnson president of the Colorado Association of School Executives.

“Children and families feel the brunt of the current economic crisis, from a lack of internet access to the loss of key programs providing child care, after-school care, and nutrition. Proposition 117 will add nothing but risk and uncertainty to our state’s ability to fill these gaps,” said Kelly Causey, president and CEO of the Colorado Children’s Campaign.

Proposition 117 is before voters this election and would require voter approval for any enterprise that generates over $100 million in the first five years. Enterprises fund government programs through fees for goods and services, including programs like unemployment insurance, Parks & Wildlife, and college savings accounts. Without enterprise funds, Colorado lawmakers would need to cut future programs like these and look to the already stretched general fund for resources to fund critical programs.

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CEA media release: Colorado Education Association Holds Virtual Get Out the Vote Rally Ahead of 2020 Election

Oct 19, 2020 | Press

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 19, 2020

Colorado Education Association Holds Virtual Get Out the Vote Rally Ahead of 2020 Election

CEA’s 39,000 members reaffirm their commitment to pro-public education agenda

DENVER – The Colorado Education Association (CEA) held a virtual Get Out the Vote (GOTV) rally on Friday, Oct. 16, to call on members to vote in the upcoming 2020 election. The CEA also reaffirmed their commitment to electing pro-public education candidates and voting for pro-public education ballot measures and local mill levy and bond races.

“This really is the most important election of our lifetime,” said Amie Baca-Oehlert, high school counselor and president of the Colorado Education Association.“The future of public education hinges on this election. Every race, from president all the way down the ballot, is important in shaping the future of public education for years to come and securing desperately needed COVID-19 relief now.”

“We will not consent or concede to anything‚Ä¶anything that threatens our democratic rights,” said Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association.“This is the work that we have been called to do together.”

Among the featured speakers were Baca-Oehlert, Pringle, CEA Vice President Kevin Vick, Weld Central Education Association member and CEA Fund Vice-Chair Jerad Sutton, Aurora Education Association member Byran Lindstrom, Aspen Education Association member Marnie White, District Twelve Education Association President Dave Lockley, Cherry Creek Education Association member Robin Balogh, Jefferson County Education Association Jon Cefikin, Pueblo County Education Association President Amy Spock, Johnstown-Milliken Education Association Co-Presidents Patsy Burenheide and Valerie Stumpf, Colorado Board of Education candidates Lisa Escarcega (CD-1), Mayling Simpson (CD-3), and Karla Esser (CD-7), Rep. Jason Crow (CD-6), US House of Representatives candidate Diane Mitsch-Bush (CD-3), Colorado State Senate candidates District Twelve Education Association member Paula Dickerson (HD-25) and Chris Kolker (SD-27), and Colorado State House Candidate Lindsey Daugherty (HD-29).

CEA leaders and members spoke about and introduced the candidates and ballot measures that public education advocates are supporting this election season. Baca-Oehlert also provided attendees a glimpse of the potential consequences if CEA’s recommended candidates, ballot initiatives and local elections aren’t successful on election night.

“This school year in Colorado we’re facing a record $1.18 billion deficit in public education funding, on top of the more than $9 billion withheld from students and educators over the last decade,” added Baca-Oehlert.“We need everyone to vote and make their voices heard.”

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CEA media release: The Colorado Education Association Releases Member Voting Recommendations for Upcoming 2020 Election

Sep 24, 2020 | Press

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 24, 2020

The Colorado Education Association Releases Member Voting Recommendations for Upcoming 2020 Election

CEA’s 39,000 members support a pro-public education agenda

DENVER – With the 2020 election just six weeks away, the Colorado Education Association (CEA) and its 39,000 members have affirmed their support for candidates and ballot measures supportive of public education and Colorado students and educators.

When the state’s 2020 legislative session adjourned in June, public education in Colorado was worse off than when the session convened in January. Already victim to more than $8 billion in funding cuts since 2008, public education in Colorado saw this year’s $577 million deficit via the Budget Stabilization Factor nearly double to a record $1.18 billion due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 only exacerbated the inequities that already existed in Colorado classrooms as a result of lack of funding. As public education funding continues to be cut, the needs of students and demands on educators continue to increase.

“The 39,000 members of the Colorado Education Association will work toward electing pro-public education candidates and passing pro-public education ballot measures because not only do our students and educators need it, but they deserve it,” said Amie Baca-Oehlert, high school counselor and president of the CEA.“Our public schools, students, and educators need elected officials who will take meaningful, creative, and bold action to address the chronic underfunding of our public schools. We need those same officials to work with us, the educators, to find those solutions.”

CEA Recommended Candidates & Issues, Election 2020

US President/Vice President – Joe Biden/Kamala Harris
US Senate – John Hickenlooper
House CD1 – Diana DeGette
House CD2 – Joe Neguse
House CD3 – Diane Mitsch Bush
House CD6 – Jason Crow
House CD7 – Ed Perlmutter
State HD1 – Susan Lontine
State HD2 – Alec Garnett
State HD3 – Meg Froelich
State HD4 – Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez
State HD5 – Alex Valdez
State HD6 – Steven Woodrow
State HD7 – Jennifer Bacon
State HD8 – Leslie Herod
State HD9 – Emily Sirota
State HD10 – Edie Hooton
State HD11 – Karen McCormick
State HD12 – Tracey Bernett
State HD13 – Judy Amabile
State HD17 – Tony Exum Sr.
State HD18 – Marc Snyder
State HD20 – Megan Fossinger
State HD21 – Liz Rosenbaum
State HD22 – Mary Parker
State HD23 – Chris Kennedy
State HD24 – Monica Duran
State HD25 – Lisa Cutter
State HD26 – Dylan Roberts
State HD27 – Brianna Titone
State HD28 – Kerry Tipper
State HD29 – Lindsey Daugherty
State HD30 – Dafna Michaelson Jenet
State HD31 – Yadira Caraveo
State HD32 – Adrienne Benavidez
State HD33 – Matt Gray
State HD34 – Kyle Mullica
State HD35 – Shannon Bird
State HD36 – Mike Weissman
State HD37 – Tom Sullivan
State HD38 – David Ortiz
State HD40 – Naquetta Ricks
State HD41 – Iman Jodeh
State HD42 – Dominique Jackson
State HD46 – Daneya Esgar
State HD47 – Bri Buentello
State HD50 – Mary Young
State HD52 – Cathy Kipp
State HD53 – Jennifer Arndt
State HD59 – Barbara McLachlan
State HD61 – Julie McCluskie
State HD62 – Don Valdez
State SD8 – Karl Hanlon
State SD14 – Joann Ginal
State SD17 – Sonya Jaquez Lewis
State SD18 – Steve Fenberg
State SD19 – Rachel Zenzinger
State SD21 – Dominck Moreno
State SD23 – Sally Boccella
State SD25 – Paula Dickerson
State SD26 – Jeff Bridges
State SD27 – Chris Kolker
State SD28 – Janet Buckner
State SD29 – Rhonda Fields
State SD31 – Chris Hansen
State SD33 – James Coleman
State SD35 – Cleave Simpson
State Board of Education CD1 – Lisa Escarcega
State Board of Education CD3 – Mayling Simpson
State Board of Education CD7 – Karla Esser
CU Regent CD2 – Callie Rennison
CU Regent CD6 – Ilana Spiegel
Jefferson County Commissioner – Andy Kerr

Ballot Measures

Proposition 113 – Support
Proposition 116 – Oppose
Proposition 117 – Oppose
Proposition 118 – Support
Proposition EE – Support
Amendment B – Support
Amendment 76 – Oppose

Local Support

Eagle County 5B – Mill Levy
Aspen 4A – Bond Issue
Cherry Creek 4A/4B – Mill Levy/Bond Issue
Pueblo County 4A – Bond Issue
East Grand 4A – Mill Levy
Huerfano 4A – Bond Issue
Johnstown Milliken 5A/5B – Mill Levy/Bond Issue
Julesburg 3A – Bond Issue
Littleton 4C – Mill Levy
Fort Lupton TBD – Mill Levy
Colorado Springs 4A – Tabor Issue
Denver 4A/4B – Mill Levy/Bond Issue
West Central 5C – Mill Levy
Durango 4A – Support

*Please note additional recommendations may be added to this list until ballots begin being mailed out on Oct. 9.

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CEA media release: Colorado Education Association Holds Town Hall with CEA-Recommended Senate Candidate Governor John Hickenlooper

Aug 18, 2020 | Press

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 18, 2020

Colorado Education Association Holds Town Hall with CEA-Recommended Senate Candidate Governor John Hickenlooper

Hickenlooper unveils his Senate education agenda

DENVER – The Colorado Education Association (CEA) hosted a virtual town hall event last night with CEA-recommended United States Senate candidate, Gov. John Hickenlooper. Over the course of an hour, Gov. Hickenlooper laid out details of his education agenda ahead of the 2020 United States Senate election in a match up with incumbent Sen. Cory Gardner.

“One of the greatest lessons public school educators have learned over the last several months is the need to elect public officials, including to the United States Senate, who are true champions of students, educators and public education,” said high school counselor and CEA President Amie Baca-Oehlert.“Educators have lived the consequences of elected officials unwilling to act or who act by putting corporate profits over students.”

“As Educators, for nearly four years now, we have seen first-hand what a lack of commitment to public education and our students looks like as Donald Trump and Betsy DeVos slashed billions of dollars from our public schools and divert funding into unaccountable and oftentimes discriminatory private schools. Over the last several months, rather than working to get COVID under control and working on a plan to reopen schools and campuses when it is safe to do so, Trump and DeVos have tried to bully students and educators back into unsafe classrooms. And sadly, during this crisis, Sen. Cory Gardner has done nothing to stand up for Colorado’s students, parents, and educators. That is why it is so critical that Colorado voters reject Donald Trump, Betsy DeVos, and Cory Gardner this fall – by electing Joe Biden as president and sending John Hickenlooper to the U.S. Senate,” said NEA President-elect Becky Pringle.

Some of Gov. Hickenlooper’s education agenda includes:

Investing in early childhood learning by ensuring universal access to early childhood education and preschool;
Strengthening our K-12 system by giving schools the resources they need to reopen safely;
Invest in public schools, investing in educators, and supporting community schools;
Promoting equity in education by ending the school-to-to prison pipeline, strengthening support for English language learners, fulfilling our commitment to adequately fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and protecting the civil rights of LGTBQ students, and;
Making higher education more accessible by addressing college affordability, supporting equal access to a college degree, strengthening transitions to college and the workforce, and preparing students for careers in renewable energy.

“Gov. Hickenlooper’s vision for improving public education begins to address the anti-public education reform policies that have exacerbated educational inequities amongst students, and increased the teacher shortage crisis across the country,” added Baca-Oehlert.“Educators are not willing to stand idly by when the consequences are so high for our students. Our 39,000 members believe in the hope of a new day and we will be voting in November to flip the US Senate and to roll back the failed education policies of Trump and DeVos by supporting John Hickenlooper for US Senate.”

Last month, the CEA Fund voted to recommend former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper for the United States Senate over incumbent Sen. Cory Gardner in the November general election.

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