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Legislative Council Staff conducts a study of the cost of living in each school district every two years to update the cost-of-living factors used in the state's school finance funding formula as required by state law. 1 The first study was conducted in 1993, and a study has been conducted during the summer and fall of each odd-numbered year since. The 2019 study results are used to determine school district cost-of-living factors for FY 2020-21 and FY 2021-22.

Pursuant to Section 22-55-104 C.R.S., Legislative Council Staff, in consultation with the State Auditor, the State Treasurer, the Department of Education (CDE), the Office of State Planning and Budgeting, and the Joint Budget Committee (JBC), is required to conduct a review of the model used to forecast revenue to and expenditures from the State Education Fund and the spending requirements for the Public School Finance Act of 1994 by February 1 of each year.

Report No. 2022-TE8

Pursuant to state law (Section 26-6.5-203, C.R.S.), the Early Childhood and School Readiness Legislative Commission (ECSRLC) may meet up to four times per year to study issues concerning early childhood and school readiness.

Pursuant to state law (Section 26-6.5-203, C.R.S.), the Early Childhood and School Readiness Legislative Commission (ECSRLC) may meet up to four times per year to study issues concerning early childhood and school readiness.

Report No. 2021-TE26

Three bills were enacted during the 2021 legislative session that substantively impacted the financing of public schools in Colorado:

An overview memo of the rules and procedures to be followed by the Senate Committee on Education.

Pursuant to Section 22-55-104 C.R.S., Legislative Council Staff, in consultation with the State Auditor, the State Treasurer, the Department of Education (CDE), the Office of State Planning and Budgeting, and the Joint Budget Committee (JBC), is required to conduct a review of the model used to forecast revenue to and expenditures from the State Education Fund, and the spending requirements for the Public School Finance Act of 1994 by February 1 of each year.

Report No. 2021-TE5

Vaccinations offer protection from common infectious diseases.  The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends specific vaccines for all infants, children, and adults during their lifetime to provide immunity from preventable illness.  A recent analysis estimated that for children born in a single year in the United States, vaccination prevented nearly 20 million cases of disease and over 40,000 deaths.

House Bill 20-1418 amended the Public School Finance Act of 1994 to provide funding for school districts in FY 2020-21.  The bill was signed by the Governor on June 30, 2020, and took effect on that date.  This memorandum summarizes the primary funding changes for school finance contained in this bill.  Estimates in this memorandum will be adjusted during the 2021 legislative session based on actual pupil counts and local property tax collections.

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has impacted almost every facet of the education system, including standardized tests and college entrance examinations. This memorandum provides scheduling updates on some of the country’s most relied upon placement and college entrance examinations and will be updated as more information becomes available.

Final Report to the Colorado General Assembly by the Interim Committee on School Finance.

In the midst of school closures across the state due to the COVID-19 outbreak, schools and state agencies are working to ensure that K-12 students continue to receive academic support.  Legislative Council Staff is committed to providing members of the Colorado General Assembly and other stakeholders with resources on K-12 education matters that are essential to guiding and understanding state action, and supporting parents in ensuring their children’s educational success during this time.  This memorandum has been published to share resources created by state and national organiz

2019 Colorado School District Cost of Living Analysis

Pursuant to Section 22-55-104 C.R.S., Legislative Council Staff, in consultation with the State Auditor, the State Treasurer, the Department of Education (CDE), the Office of State Planning and Budgeting, and the Joint Budget Committee (JBC), is required to conduct a review of the model used to forecast revenue to and expenditures from the State Education Fund and the spending requirements for the Public School Finance Act of 1994 by February 1 of each year.  This report provides a forecast of the State Education Fund revenue and expenditures within the budgetary framework for school f

Final report to the Colorado General Assembly by the School Safety Committee. This committee was created by a resolution adopted by the Executive Committee of the Legislative Council during the 2019 legislative interim. The purpose of this committee was to study how violence at, and threats of violence to, schools can be prevented, and how to promote the safety of school personnel, students, and others who are present at schools.

Final report to the Colorado General Assembly by the Early Childhood and School Readiness Legislative Commission. The purpose of this commission is to study issues related to early childhood and school readiness in order to improve the state’s early childhood policies.

Summary Report for the School Safety Committee to the Legislative Council.

Three bills that were enacted during the 2019 legislative session significantly affected the financing of public schools in Colorado:

Reading competency is pivotal to the academic development of Colorado’s students.  State law targets the early elementary grades as the essential time and location for developing the reading skills necessary for successful academic achievement in later grades.  This issue brief provides an overview of the Colorado Reading to Ensure Academic Development (READ) Act, and discusses recent changes to state funding for READ Act implementation.

Final report to the General Assembly of the Early Childhood and School Readiness Legislative Commission. The purpose of this commission is to study issues related to early childhood and school readiness in order to improve the state’s early childhood policies.