CO State Bill

New Formula, Same Old Shortchange: HB 25-1320 Proves Colorado Dems Love Teachers' Unions More Than Actual Kids

Signed into law on July 11, 2025, HB 25-1320 implements Colorado's new 2024 school finance formula for the 2025-26 budget year but slows the phase-in from 18% to just 15% (rising to 30% in 2026-27), capping total program funding at roughly $10.03 billion while holding all districts harmless to their 2024-25 levels—no cuts, but 21 mostly rural districts get zero increase due to declining enrollment. The bill slashes state education fund appropriations by $15.8 million for districts' total program, $5 million for at-risk funding, and $45.6 million for BEST capital grants, redirecting some cash elsewhere while maintaining a four-year enrollment average to cushion declining districts and tweaking charter school alignments—all sold as "stability" amid federal tax conformity budget woes.