EDUCATION IN COLORADO

Growing up and receiving my education in Colorado gave me a deep appreciation for the promise and potential of our education system. It's where I learned the importance of commitment, community, and the power of knowledge. As an attorney and Guardian ad Litem, I've had the unique privilege of working closely with our youth, witnessing first-hand the transformative power of education, and the barriers many face in accessing it. As a new mother, these issues are not just political to me, but deeply personal.

I strongly believe that every child, regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation, or the zip code they grow up in, deserves access to a high-quality education. This isn't just about opportunity—it's a matter of equity. It's about giving every student, every child in our state, a fair shot at success. Our children's education is the bedrock upon which our future stands. And it's my mission to ensure that this bedrock is solid, secure, and fair for all.

I am immensely proud of the significant progress we've made in improving the quality of education in Colorado. Our collective efforts to invest more in our students, elevate the standard of their educational experiences, enhance school safety, and prioritize their mental health reflect our unwavering commitment to the next generation.

Yet, I firmly believe that progress is not an endpoint—it's a continuous journey. I remain committed to prioritizing student success in every decision I make, every policy I propose, and every vote that I make. I am driven by a deep-rooted belief in the power of education to change lives, and the responsibility we all share to ensure our children have the best possible opportunities to learn, grow, and thrive.

SUPPORTING OUR TEACHERS

Teachers are the lifeblood of our education system. They nurture, guide, and inspire our students, shaping the future of our state every day in their classrooms. Yet, for far too long, they have been under-resourced and under-supported. It's essential that we ensure they have the tools, resources, and compensation they need to continue their vital work.

Over the past three years, we've made significant strides in supporting our teachers:

  • Increasing Loan Forgiveness: We've expanded loan forgiveness programs for teachers, helping to alleviate the burden of student debt and making the profession more accessible for all. (HB23-1001)

  • Boosting Stipends for New Teachers: We recognize that the first few years in the classroom can be particularly challenging. That's why we've increased stipends for new teachers, providing them with additional support as they navigate their early careers. (HB23-1001)

  • Raising Teacher Pay: A good education starts with good educators. We've fought for—and won—increases in teacher salaries to better reflect the vital role they play in our society. (SB21-172)

These measures are just the beginning. I am committed to continuing these efforts, advocating for competitive pay, and ensuring our educators have a voice in the decisions that impact them and their students.

INVESTING IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION

Studies consistently show that early childhood education plays a pivotal role in a child's development and future success. Yet, access to high-quality early education has remained out of reach for too many Colorado families. That's why I am incredibly proud of our historic achievement in making Colorado the first state to make full-day preschool universal. This represents an investment in our youngest citizens that will pay dividends for our state for years to come.

Here's what we've achieved:

  • Establishing Universal Full-Day Preschool: Colorado will become the first state to offer universal full-day preschool starting in the 2023-2024 school year. This historic achievement ensures every child gets a solid start to their education. (HB22-1295 & HB23-1290)

  • Increasing Early Education Funding: The 2023-24 budget includes an unprecedented $480 million for full-day preschool, underscoring our commitment to early education. (SB23-287 & SB23-269)

INCREASING PER-PUPIL FUNDING

I strongly believe that investing in our students is investing in our future. Increased funding can enhance every aspect of a student's learning experience, from improving classroom materials and technology to attracting and retaining excellent teachers, providing a more robust range of courses, and supporting critical extracurricular activities and student support services. 

  • Boosting Per-Pupil Funding: In 2023, we invested a record-breaking $665 million more in total education program funding, raising the statewide average of per-pupil funding by $1,018 (for an unprecedented total of $10,614 per student) to ensure that every child receives the resources they need to thrive. (SB23-287)

BRIDGING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP

While we've made progress in many areas, significant challenges remain on the issue of equity in education. Every child—regardless of race, ethnicity, or socioeconomic status—deserves an equal shot at success. Yet, there's an ongoing achievement gap between white students and Black and Hispanic students. Progress we’ve made in closing this gap includes:

  • Support for At-risk Students: We’ve modernized the way Colorado identifies at-risk students to include socioeconomic factors that may impact academic success, increasing the number of students identified for support and providing additional funding for their schools. (HB22-1202)

  • Translating Individualized Education Programs: Recognizing the diversity in our classrooms, we have introduced a mandate to translate Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) into a family's native language upon request. This empowers non-English speaking families to be more actively involved in their child's education and ensures they fully understand and can contribute to their child's personalized learning plan. (HB23-1263)

  • Statewide Math Tutoring Initiative: We've allocated $4 million for a statewide math tutoring initiative, providing targeted support to help close the achievement gap. (HB23-1231)

  • Free College Courses for High School Students: To help students get a head start on higher education, we've created a grant program offering free college courses to students in 10th to 12th grades. (SB23-205)

EMPOWERING SPECIAL EDUCATION

We believe in equal opportunities for all students, including those in special education programs. Our accomplishments in this area include:

  • Boosting Special Education Funding: We've dedicated an extra $120 million annually to special education, supporting over 100,000 students and enhancing school resources. (SB22-127 & SB23-099)

  • Translating Individualized Education Programs: We've mandated the translation of individual learning plans into a family's primary language, improving understanding and engagement for non-English speaking families. (HB23-1263)

PRIORITIZING STUDENT SAFETY & MENTAL HEALTH

School safety and student behavioral health are two interconnected issues that are of utmost importance. I’m committed to helping create safer learning environments and promoting accessible mental health services for all students:

  • Establishing the Office of School Safety: In 2023, we established an Office of School Safety, responsible for implementing co-responder programs, assisting with emergency response planning, and administering grants to schools, to prevent school violence. (SB23-241)

  • School Safety and Security Enhancement: We've invested $14 million towards improving the security and safety of public schools. This investment includes allocating $6 million to the School Security Disbursement Program over two years for the installation of monitoring equipment and security systems at entrances and exits, as well as for school emergency response and threat assessment training for staff. (HB22-1243)

  • I Matter Program: Recognizing the importance of mental health in education, we've allocated an additional $6 million towards extending the popular I Matter program beyond its scheduled repeal in June 2022. This program offers free mental health counseling sessions to Colorado youth and has been utilized by over 5,500 students across the state since its inception. (HB22-1243 & HB21-1258)

  • Mental Health Screenings in Schools: We've passed a bill permitting public schools to participate in a voluntary mental health screening program for students in grades six through twelve. This program aims to identify students who could benefit from mental health resources such as the I Matter Program, while also ensuring that parents have the option to opt their child out of the screening. (HB23-1003)

  • Continuing Important Initiatives: We're maintaining vital groups like the Colorado Interagency Working Group on School Safety and the Colorado School Safety Resource Center Advisory Board. These entities are dedicated to enhancing school safety, providing resources, training, and technical assistance, and facilitating early intervention to prevent crisis situations. (HB22-1274 & HB22-1275)

Our mission is to ensure that our schools are not only places of learning but also spaces where students feel safe and supported. Our legislation aims to make classrooms safer, foster healthier mental states among students, and prepare our students for success.

MAKING HIGHER EDUCATION MORE ACCESSIBLE

In the 21st-century economy, higher education is increasingly critical for success. However, due to financial constraints, it remains a daunting aspiration for many families. Making college tuition more affordable is vital for creating an equitable society where everyone has the chance to succeed. It not only empowers individuals with the knowledge and skills required for high-demand jobs, but also helps fuel economic growth, innovation, and social mobility.

  • Student Loan Equity Act: High rates of debt accumulation, especially as the cost of college has risen, widens an already large intergenerational debt and wealth gap between families of color and white families. In 2021, we strengthened protections for Colorado students who take out private student loans, which previously had almost no oversight, allowing lenders to engage in shady, harmful practices. (SB21-057)

  • Removing Barriers to Higher Education: We've made Colorado the first state to end legacy college admissions, and we've removed the requirement for SAT and ACT scores, promoting equity and increasing accessibility to higher education. (HB21-1173 & HB21-1067)

  • Support for Financial Aid Access: We're enhancing counselor training to better support students in their financial aid applications, making higher education more attainable for more students. (HB22-1366)

  • In-State Tuition for Indigenous Students: To continue our work of rectifying injustices toward Native Americans, we passed a law that requires Colorado universities and colleges to offer in-state tuition to members of Native American tribes with historical ties to Colorado. (SB21-029)

Rest assured, I will continue to strive, to push, and to champion the cause of education in Colorado.

Every child in our state deserves the best education we can provide, and our work is far from over. With your support, we will continue to strive for better school infrastructure, further support for our teachers, more effective student health services, and an ever-richer learning environment for all students.