Denver Voters to Decide on $44 Million Mill Levy
Denver Public Schools proposes a mill levy increase this November to fund staff salaries and new student support programs.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Administration
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Denver voters will decide the fate of Ballot Issue 4A this November 2026. The measure asks residents to approve a $44 million mill levy increase for the local school district.
Why it matters
The district argues that additional funding is essential for staff retention and filling vacancies, while critics contend current leadership has failed to drive student achievement.
The proposed $44 million annual mill levy increase is earmarked for staff salary hikes, career and tech hubs, mental health support, and special education services. Voters must choose whether to approve this expansion of district spending.
The players
Denver Public Schools
The public school district serving the city of Denver and the entity responsible for the ballot initiative.
Theresa Peña
A former president of the Denver Public Schools board of education who has emerged as an opponent of the new mill levy.
Chuck Carpenter
The interim deputy superintendent of operations and chief financial officer for the school district.
The details
District leadership, including interim deputy superintendent Chuck Carpenter, intends to use the funds to address staffing gaps and expand specialized student programming. The proposal faces public opposition from former board president Theresa Peña, who claims that previous levies were mismanaged and have not led to better academic results.
Timeline
Voters approved a previous mill levy initiative in 2005.
Voters will decide on Ballot Issue 4A in November 2026.
Culture Shift
This ballot measure reflects a shift from the targeted funding of the 2005 mill levy toward a broader, multi-faceted investment strategy for district operations. The debate highlights ongoing societal tension over how school districts should balance teacher compensation with broader student support services.
Passage of this measure will result in a mill levy increase that impacts the local tax burden for Denver property owners. Residents should evaluate how these funds will directly influence the quality of specialized educational services available to students in the area.
The takeaway
Voters should review the specific allocation of funds to determine if the proposed improvements align with their expectations for district performance. Understanding the history of previous levies is a vital step for residents preparing to cast their ballots this November.
What happens next
Voters will cast their ballots for or against the mill levy increase in November 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about local school governance and budgetary processes on the Denver Administration page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS News.
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