Who really funds Colorado Schools?

This video explains the complex structure of how public schools in Colorado are funded through a blend of state and local revenue sources.

Key takeaways include:

• Funding Formula: The state legislature sets a formula to calculate total program funding for each district. Local taxes (primarily property and specific ownership taxes) are collected first (0:15-0:40).
• State Support: If local collections fall short of the required amount, the state steps in to cover the difference, known as the state share, using revenue from income and sales taxes (0:43-0:54).
• Funding Challenges: The video notes that between 2010 and 2024, the state faced shortfalls and utilized a budget stabilization factor to manage funding, which reduced overall district allocations (0:54-1:06).
• Additional Revenue: Districts can also access supplementary funds outside the main formula, such as grants, federal funds, voter-approved overrides, and bond money (1:08-1:23).
• Local Dynamics: Because property wealth varies significantly across the state, districts rely on different amounts of local versus state funding to reach their total required program funding (1:26-1:56).