Rocky Mountain Voice

Colorado schools expect 16,000 fewer students as funding debate approaches

By Cory Gaines | Commentary, Colorado Accountability Project

Colorado Schools Are Losing 16,000 More Students.

And yet there’s a ballot measure saying we need more money to go to schools.

The video linked below is a great one on the basics of not only school funding but also the expected drop in enrollment that Colorado schools are projected to see this Fall.

From the video’s description, the hosts cover the following:

-Why Colorado is projected to lose 16,000 students

-How does the School Finance Act determines funding?

-Why declining enrollment doesn’t always mean immediate funding cuts?

-How do districts plan their budgets?

-What parents should (and shouldn’t) expect this school year.

-What’s still changing in Colorado’s education funding formula?

So wherever you are on the spectrum of knowledge about schools and funding, whether someone who’s at the intermediate level or a beginner, this video is worth a watch.

I say this particularly with regard to having discussions with those in your circle about the upcoming ballot measure to end your TABOR refunds to (at least partially and at least for a bit) redirect your money to “schools”.**

Whatever your opinion is on school financing and/or any referenda, take the time to make it an educated one.

**This is about as close as I can get to where the money goes. There are few prescriptions on where your refunds would go.

Wondered where the graph heading this post was from? Want another take on the issue and/or more context (particularly with regard to some good news about graduation/drop out rates)?

All this and more in the Gazette article below.

https://gazette.com/2026/01/13/as-public-school-enrollment-continues-decline-graduation-and-dropout-rates-improve/

READ THE FULL COMMENTARY AT THE COLORADO ACCOUNTABILITY PROJECT

Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in commentary pieces are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the management of the Rocky Mountain Voice, but even so we support the constitutional right of the author to express those opinions.