Colorado Legislators Referred Proposition NN to Voters

The measure seeks to increase K-12 education funding annually for the next decade.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Administration

Isometric editorial illustration of a stack of school books and a pine branch, evoking Colorado education funding policy. — The Colorado state legislature has officially referred Proposition NN to voters, a measure aimed at increasing annual K-12 education funding by two percent over the next decade. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should your state increase annual funding for K-12 public education?

The Colorado state legislature has officially referred Proposition NN to voters following the passage of Senate Bill 26-135. The proposal aims to boost state K-12 education funding by two percent annually over the next ten years.

Why it matters

These proposed investments are designed to address critical educational needs, including raising teacher pay, improving retention rates, and reducing class sizes. The measure also targets increased access to specialized career and technical training courses for students.

Proposition NN mandates a two percent annual increase in state K-12 funding for a 10-year duration. This investment relies on raising the state annual fiscal year spending limit rather than increasing taxes.

The players

Colorado State Legislature

This is the governing body responsible for drafting, debating, and passing laws within the state of Colorado.

The details

The measure mandates an annual independent audit of all education expenditures to ensure transparency and accountability. By adjusting the state spending cap, the proposal intends to provide consistent financial support for public schools.

The proposed K-12 funding increase spans the next ten years.

Culture Shift

This proposal reflects a broader societal shift in Colorado toward prioritizing long-term public investment by navigating the constraints of the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights (TABOR). By choosing to raise spending limits rather than taxes, the state signals a nuanced approach to funding essential public services.

If approved by voters, residents can expect adjustments to state fiscal management that prioritize direct funding for local K-12 classrooms. Taxpayers will see no immediate change to their tax burden, as the funding originates from changes to the spending limit.

The takeaway

Voters will decide whether to commit to a decade of increased educational spending through this new budgetary framework. This measure highlights the ongoing effort to balance fiscal restraint with the demand for improved public school resources.