Denver Voters Will Consider Schools Property Tax Hike

In November 2026, Denver residents will decide on a ballot measure to increase property taxes for school funding.

Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Secondary Education

Denver Voters Will Consider Schools Property Tax Hike

Live Poll

Would you vote to increase property taxes to fund raises for public school employees?

Denver voters will decide in November 2026 whether to approve Ballot Issue 4A, a $44 million annual property tax increase for Denver Public Schools. The district is seeking the funds to address rising operational costs and support its 89,000 students.

Why it matters

The district faces financial pressure from rising expenses for utilities, health insurance, and special education services alongside declining enrollment. This funding is designed to provide employee raises and bolster various student support programs.

The proposal costs homeowners $11.50 per $100,000 of home value, amounting to an estimated $72 annually for the median $624,800 home. Revenue allocations include $25.8 million for staff raises and $9.3 million for charter schools.

The players

Denver Public Schools

This is the public school district serving approximately 89,000 students in the city of Denver.

The details

The ballot measure functions as a mill levy override to fund staff compensation, mental health support, special education, and career education classrooms. While state law mandates that districts share such revenue with charter schools, no formal opposition to the measure has been filed.

Voters passed a $32 million mill levy override in 2020.
Voters passed a $51 million bond for classrooms in 2024.
Voters will decide on Ballot Issue 4A in November 2026.

Roadmap

The proposal follows a pattern of local districts relying on voter-approved mill levy overrides to supplement general state education funding. This specific measure aligns with the legal framework of Colorado state law on mill levy override revenue sharing, which dictates how districts must distribute funds among traditional and charter schools.

Homeowners in Denver would see an annual property tax increase of approximately $72 based on the median home value. Full-time district employees stand to receive a $1,750 salary increase if the measure is approved by voters.

The takeaway

The proposed tax hike aims to stabilize district finances amid shifting enrollment trends and rising operational costs. Residents should evaluate how these tax adjustments align with their personal housing budgets and support for local educational initiatives.