A new proposal in Colorado could reshape how charter schools access construction funding, aiming to create a more equitable process for including their projects in local ballot measures.
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Charter schools now serve more than 15% of the state’s public K-12 students, yet advocates argue they receive a disproportionately small share of voter-approved construction dollars. A recently introduced bill seeks to address that imbalance by requiring school districts to more formally consider charter school construction needs when proposing funding initiatives to voters.
Between 2015 and 2024, school districts across Colorado raised approximately $15.5 billion through local ballot measures for construction and maintenance. According to the Colorado League of Charter Schools, charter schools received just 3.6% of that funding, despite their growing enrollment share.
The legislation — Senate Bill 145 — would require districts to actively solicit construction proposals from charter school operators and provide clear timelines for evaluating those submissions. District leaders would also need to notify charter schools whether their projects are included in proposed ballot measures.
Supporters say the goal is not to mandate funding, but to ensure transparency and fairness in the process.
“We are approaching things from the vantage point of all public school kids deserve to have their education funded equitably,” said Dan Schaller, president of the Colorado League of Charter Schools. “So how do we strengthen the process and make it more clear so that there are adequate opportunities for involvement.”
Currently, districts can raise construction funding through bond measures or property tax increases approved by local voters. Charter schools can access state and federal funding or private financing, but often depend on district-led initiatives for large-scale capital improvements.
Bill sponsor Scott Bright said the measure is intended to improve collaboration between districts and charter operators, particularly in areas where relationships have been strained.
“Many charter schools have very healthy relationships with school districts,” Bright said. “But in other situations, it’s not always that rosy.”
The bill has drawn bipartisan involvement, including support from Cathy Kipp, a Democrat who has previously expressed skepticism about charter school policies. Her participation reflects an effort to ensure the legislation balances the needs of both districts and charter schools.
“As much as I’m not a fan of the charter school governance model, I think we have to acknowledge that 15% of the students in the state are being served by one particular method,” Kipp said. “We can treat everybody in a fair manner, because we want all of our kids treated fairly, right?”
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While the bill would not directly increase funding, it could significantly influence how future construction dollars are distributed — depending on how local school boards implement the new requirements.
For contractors, architects and developers, the proposal could gradually expand opportunities tied to school construction projects, particularly in the charter sector. If more charter projects are included in bond measures, it could lead to a broader pipeline of education-related construction work across the state.
At the same time, the bill preserves local control. School boards would still decide which projects ultimately appear on ballots, meaning outcomes could vary widely by district.
As the legislation moves forward, stakeholders from both education and construction sectors will be watching closely to see whether it meaningfully shifts funding patterns — or simply formalizes existing practices.
Originally reported by Post Contributor in Pagosa Daily Post.
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