Founded in 1995, the Colorado School Finance Project (CSFP) is a non-profit whose mission is to compile, collect, and distribute research-based, non-partisan information and data on topics related to school finance for state and local policymakers.
2025 School District Election Tracker
November CSFP Advisory Meeting - November 14, 2025
Recording of Meeting
25-26 Budget Rollout Presentation
State Land Board
CSFP at Colorado Rural Alliance Convening - October 24, 2025
October CSFP Advisory Meeting - October 10, 2025 (in person)
Economic and Revenue Forecast - Legislative Council
Budget Crisis - Bell Policy Center
Strategic School Finance Training: Monument, CO - October 2-3, 2025
Agenda
School Finance Act and State Budget (CSFP)
Strategic Budgeting and Putting it Into Action (CDE / CSFP)
Grants Management (CDE)
Fund Balance and Budgeting Strategy (CDE)
Staffing, Compensation, FSLA Compliance (CDE)
Chart of Accounts (CDE)
Accounting Basics (CDE)
CSFP at Northeast BOCES Superintendent Advisory Committee Retreat - October 1, 2025
CSFP at CASBO Annual Fall Conference - September 25, 2025
Strategic School Finance Training: Parachute, CO - September 25-26, 2025
Agenda
School Finance Act and State Budget (CSFP)
Strategic Budgeting and Putting it Into Action (CDE / CSFP)
Grants Management (CDE)
Fund Balance and Budgeting Strategy (CDE)
Staffing, Compensation, FSLA Compliance (CDE)
Chart of Accounts (CDE)
Accounting Basics (CDE)
September 2025 Economic Forecast - September 22, 2025
• Legislative Council Economic and Revenue Forecast Report
• Legislative Council Economic and Revenue Forecast Presentation
• Legislative Council Consumer Price Index Forecast
• OSPB Colorado Economic and Fiscal Outlook Presentation
• OSPB Colorado Economic and Fiscal Outlook Report
• OSPB Colorado Outlook Supplemental Materials
5th Annual CSFP Conference - September 17th, 2025
Presentations:
School Finance Updates
Keynote speaker Derek Black
The New School Finance Act - Representative Jennifer Bacon
CSFP Presentation at the Bighorn Leadership Program - August 29, 2025
August 2025 Special Session Bill Tracker
November What We're Reading:
"Gov. Jared Polis’ budget proposal keeps K-12 funding promises, allows for college tuition increases", Jason Gonzalez, Chalkbeat, October 31, 2025.
"Wave of victories boosts teachers unions", Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, November 6, 2025.
Mill Levy Resources
• Types of Mill Levies for Schools
• Why Local Funding Matters
• Individual District Mill Levy Information
2024 Colorado Adequacy Study
Reports:
School Finance Input Adequacy Study Report (PDF)
School Finance Input Adequacy Study Appendices (PDF)
School Finance Cost-Modeling Adequacy Study Report (PDF)
School Finance Cost-Modeling Adequacy Study Executive Summary (PDF)
School Finance Cost-Modeling Adequacy Study Appendices (PDF)
Resources:
Individual district fact sheets
Individual district Presentations
Helpful Links:
Property Tax Background and Talking Points
Interim Committees:
Property Tax Task Force - Access all information HERE.
School Finance Task Force - Access all information HERE.
School Transportation Task Force - Access all information HERE.
Override Mill Levy Match Working Group - Access all information HERE.
AUGUST 2025
August What We're Reading: "Colorado governor calls special legislative session to deal with nearly $1B budget hole, artificial intelligence law", Jesse Paul, Colorado Sun, August 6, 2025.
JULY 2025
Government Recission informational video and district fact sheets CSFP at CASE Summer Convention - July 23-24, 2025 Adequacy Studies are Completed: Now What? presentation Adequacy Study Charts School Finance Changes presentation
Strategic School Finance Training: Montrose, CO - July 31-Aug 1, 2025 Agenda New School Finance Act and State Budget (CSFP) Strategic Budgeting and Putting it Into Action (CDE / CSFP) Grants Management (CDE) Fund Balance and Budgeting Strategy (CDE) Staffing, Compensation, FSLA Compliance (CDE) Chart of Accounts (CDE) Accounting Basics (CDE)
July What We're Reading: "Lawsuit challenges Trump administration’s $7 billion education funding freeze", Erica Meltzer, Chalkbeat, July 14, 2025. "‘Back to the Dark Ages’: Education Research Staggered by Trump Cuts", Kevin Mahnken, The 74, July 21, 2025.
JUNE 2025
June Advisory Meeting - June 13, 2025 Recording of Meeting
June 2025 Economic Forecast - June 18, 2025 - Legislative Council Economic and Revenue Forecast Report - Legislative Council Economic and Revenue Forecast Presentation - Legislative Council Consumer Price Index Forecast - OSPB Colorado Economic and Fiscal Outlook Presentation - OSPB Colorado Economic and Fiscal Outlook Report - OSPB Colorado Outlook Supplemental Materials
Strategic School Finance Training: La Junta, CO - June 26-27, 2025 Agenda New School Finance Act and State Budget (CSFP) Strategic Budgeting and Putting it Into Action (CDE / CSFP) Grants Management (CDE) Fund Balance and Budgeting Strategy (CDE) Staffing, Compensation, FSLA Compliance (CDE) Chart of Accounts (CDE) Accounting Basics (CDE)
June What We're Reading: "Colorado school districts brace for upcoming budget crunch" Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, June 30, 2025.
MAY 2025
Strategic School Finance Training: Alamosa, CO - May 1-2, 2025 Agenda New School Finance Act and State Budget (CSFP) Strategic Budgeting and Putting it Into Action (CDE / CSFP) Grants Management (CDE) Fund Balance and Budgeting Strategy (CDE) Staffing, Compensation, FSLA Compliance (CDE) Chart of Accounts (CDE) Accounting Basics (CDE)
CSFP Presentation to Superintendent Advisory Committee - May 1, 2025
CSFP Presentation to Southeast BOCES Principals - May 13, 2025
May CSFP Advisory Meeting - May 16, 2025 Recording of meeting Legislative Update - Legislative Council
APRIL 2025
CSFP at Southern Superintendents Conference - April 3, 2025
CSFP at BOCES Quarterly Meeting - April 15, 2025
CSFP at Western Slope Superintendents Conference - April 17, 2025
April CSFP Advisory Meeting - April 18, 2025 Voter Sentiment with Magellan Strategies Colorado Fiscal Outlook with CFI/Bell Policy
CSFP at CASBO Conference - April 24, 2025
CSFP presentation to PEBC Lunch and Learn - April 28, 2025
April What We're Reading: "Colorado House Speaker’s school finance plan seeks a compromise on enrollment-averaging", Jason Gonzalez, Chalkbeat, April 1, 2025. "Dems seeking to axe TABOR; GOP plans to fight proposed changes", Nick Coltrain and Seth Klamann, Denver Post, April 1, 2025. "Colorado taxpayers may have to pay for lawyers on both sides of Democrats’ lawsuit to dismantle TABOR", Jesse Paul, Colorado Sun, April 7, 2025. "State districts curtail teacher raises - K-12 area schools face increasing uncertainty in state and federal funding", Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, April 21, 2025.
MARCH 2025
March CSFP Advisory Meeting - March 7, 2025 Recording of meeting PERA Update presentation Presentation from the State Demographer New NCES Designation vs Previous spreadsheet NCES Locale Designation vs CDE Designation
March Economic Forecast - March 17, 2025 • Legislative Council Economic and Revenue Forecast Report • Legislative Council Economic and Revenue Forecast Presentation • Legislative Council Consumer Price Index Forecast • OSPB Colorado Economic and Fiscal Outlook Presentation • OSPB Colorado Economic and Fiscal Outlook Report • OSPB Colorado Outlook Supplemental Materials
March What We're Reading: "Colorado lawmakers delay budget introduction as they agonize over final cuts", Brian Eason, Colorado Sun, March 24, 2025. "New school funding proposal in Colorado would soften the cuts for K-12", Jenny Brundin, CPR, March 26, 2025.
FEBRUARY 2025
February CSFP Advisory Meeting - February 7, 2025 Recording of Meeting AIR Presentation on the Adequacy Study APA Presentation on the Adequacy Study BEST grant Updates Special Education and the Adequacy Study
CSFP at CASE Winter Leadership Conference - February 19, 2025
Strategic School Finance Training: Haxtun, CO - February 20-21, 2025 Agenda Workshop Tool New School Finance Act and State Budget (CSFP) Strategic Budgeting and Putting it Into Action (CDE / CSFP) Grants Management (CDE) Staffing, Compensation, FSLA Compliance (CDE) Chart of Accounts (CDE) Accounting Basics (CDE) Budgeting Strategy (CDE)
JANUARY 2025
Strategic School Finance Training: Greeley, CO - January 30-31, 2025 Agenda Workshop Tool New School Finance Act and State Budget (CSFP) Strategic Budgeting and Putting it Into Action (CDE / CSFP) Grants Management (CDE) Staffing, Compensation, FSLA Compliance (CDE) Chart of Accounts (CDE) Accounting Basics (CDE) Budgeting Strategy (CDE)
January CSFP Advisory Meeting - January 10, 2025 Recording of Meeting School Finance Update - Legislative Council Staff Adequacy Study Presentation - Justin Silverstein, APA District Runs Spreadsheet on Averaging Proposal Ouray Proposed BudgetJanuary What We're Reading: "How much more money would Colorado need to adequately teach students? New studies say $3.5 billion to $4.1 billion", Jason Gonzalez, Chalkbeat, January 4, 2025. "Colorado is $4 billion away from making its schools what it wants them to be, according to new reports", Alison Borden, Colorado Public Radio, January 3, 2025.
DECEMBER 2024
CSFP at the CASB Winter Convention - December 5-6, 2024 School Finance 101 School Finance 201 Strategic Budgeting Session JBC Briefings and Hearings for CDEC and CDE Early Childhood: FY 2025-26 Early Childhood Staff Budget Briefing FY 2025-26 Early Childhood Staff Budget Briefing *SUMMARY* FY 2025-26 Early Childhood Hearing Dept of Ed: FY 2025-26 Education [(Assistance to Public Schools (Public School Finance/ Categorical Programs)] Staff Budget Briefing FY 2025-26 Education [(Assistance to Public Schools (Public School Finance/ Categorical Programs)] Staff Budget Briefing *SUMMARY* FY 2025-26 Education (All Divisions except Public School Finance/ Categorical Programs) Staff Budget Briefing *SUMMARY* FY 2025-26 Education (All Divisions except Public School Finance/ Categorical Programs) Staff Budget Briefing FY 2025-26 Education Hearing December Economic Forecast + K12 Enrollment Forecast - December 19, 2024 • Legislative Council Economic and Revenue Forecast Report • Legislative Council Economic and Revenue Forecast Presentation • Legislative Council Consumer Price Index Forecast • OSPB Colorado Economic and Fiscal Outlook Presentation • OSPB Colorado Economic and Fiscal Outlook Report • OSPB Colorado Outlook Supplemental Materials CSFP'S ANNUAL STATE PROFILE REPORT The 2024 State Profile compares audited data noting changes between 2022-23 to the base year of 1992. 1. 2024 State Profile Overview (1-page overview) 2. 2024 State Profile Charts & Highlights (2 pages) 3. The 2024 State Profile Report (7 pages) includes a historical look at: - Enrollment in K-12: Enrollment, Special Education, Free & Reduced Lunch, Emergent Bilinguals (English Language Learners according to CDE), and gifted students - Teachers: Number of teachers, teachers per 1,000 students, average salary (comparing CO and National) - Per Student Current Spending and Revenue - Relationship between state/local revenue for K-12 and personal income December What We're Reading:"Working group recommends prioritizing rural Colorado districts in program meant to ease funding gaps", Yesenia Robles, Chalkbeat, December 5, 2024. "Key Colorado lawmakers want to keep free school meals for all students despite budget shortfall", Ann Schimke, Chalkbeat, December 6, 2024.
"After hopes of progress, some Colorado school districts fear deep cuts under Gov. Polis’ proposed budget", Erica Breunlin, Colorado Sun, December 18, 2024.
NOVEMBER 2024
November CSFP Advisory Meeting - November 15, 2024 Recording of Meeting Governor's Budget Universal Preschool Update November 2024 Election Results- certified on Nov 27th, 2024 History of MLO District Map
OCTOBER 2024
October Advisory Meeting - October 4, 2024
Recording of meeting
Colorado Economic & Revenue Outlook & Property Tax Policy presentation - David Hansen
Education and the 2024 Ballot - Lisa Weil
Adequacy Study Update - Justin Silverstein
CSFP at Clear Creek Presentation - October 8, 2024
Strategic School Finance - Colorado Springs, CO
October 10-11, 2024
Full Detailed Agenda
Colorado Context for School Finance - CSFP
Fund Balance Basics - CDE
Strategic School Finance - CDE/CSFP
Revenue and Expenditure Optimization - CDE
Review School Finance Formula Changes - CSFP
Base Teacher Salary - CDE
Declining Enrollment and Forecast - CDE
Putting it into Action - CSFP
CSFP at Western Slope Superintendents Conference - October 17, 2024
CSFP at Colorado ASBO - October 18, 2024
SEPTEMBER 2024
4th Annual CSFP Conference in September 18th, 2024 in Vail, CO Access all presentations, resources, and videos here.
September Economic Forecast - September 19th, 2024 • Legislative Council Economic and Revenue Forecast Report • Legislative Council Economic and Revenue Forecast Presentation • Legislative Council Consumer Price Index Forecast • OSPB Colorado Economic and Fiscal Outlook Presentation • OSPB Colorado Economic and Fiscal Outlook Report • OSPB Colorado Outlook Supplemental Materials
Strategic School Finance - Cortez, CO September 26-27, 2024 Full Detailed Agenda Colorado Context for School Finance - CSFP Fund Balance Basics - CDE Strategic School Finance - CDE/CSFP Revenue and Expenditure Optimization - CDE Review School Finance Formula Changes - CSFP Base Teacher Salary - CDE Declining Enrollment and Forecast - CDE Putting it into Action - CSFP
September What We're Reading "Seven citizen measures on ballot: Initiatives going to Colorado voters in Nov. include abortion, ranked-choice voting" , Seth Klamann, Denver Post, September 2, 2024. "With schools, money does indeed matter; so does how we spend it", David S. Knight and Pooya Almasi, Seattle Times, August 30, 2024. "The clock is ticking: Time is running out for local governments to use share of $350B COVID-19 relief funds", David A. Lieb, Associated Press, September 15, 2024. "Private School Choice in the 2024 Election, Explained", Mark Lieberman, Education Week, September 19, 2024. "Colorado state budget woes grow as property tax cuts, Medicaid costs and economic slowdown take a toll", Brian Eason, Colorado Sun, September 19, 2024.
AUGUST 2024
August 2024 Special Session HB24b-1001 Bill and Fiscal Note HB24b-1003 Bill and Fiscal Note
Strategic School Finance - Lamar, CO August 1-2, 2024 Full Detailed Agenda Colorado Context for School Finance - CSFP Fund Balance Basics - CDE Strategic School Finance - CDE/CSFP Revenue and Expenditure Optimization - CDE Review School Finance Formula Changes - CSFP Base Teacher Salary - CDE Declining Enrollment and Forecast - CDE Putting it into Action - CSFP
JULY 2024
CSFP at Colorado BOCES Association Summer/Annual Meeting Presentation - July 9, 2024
CSFP at 2024 Annual CASE Conference - July 2024
JUNE 2024
CSFP at COSPRA Conference - June 6-7, 2024 Mastering the Message: School Finance & Legislative Updates for PR Pros Leveraging ESSER Insights: Building Lasting Collaborative Partnerships with the Community CSFP to West Grand School Board on new legislation - June 11, 2024
June Economic Forecast - June 20, 2024
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Legislative Council Economic and Revenue Forecast Report
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Legislative Council Economic and Revenue Forecast Presentation
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Legislative Council Consumer Price Index Forecast
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OSPB Colorado Economic and Fiscal Outlook Presentation
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OSPB Colorado Economic and Fiscal Outlook Report
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OSPB Colorado Outlook Supplemental Materials
June What We're Reading "Disparities in local tax revenue for Colorado schools are growing, causing inequities and concern" Yesenia Robles, Chalkbeat, June 11, 2024. "Colorado ends budget year $164M in the red with potential tax cuts looming on November ballot", Brian Eason, Colorado Sun, June 21, 2024
MAY 2024
CSFP at the Superintendent Advisory Committee - May 2, 2024
CSFP at CASBO Spring Conference - May 1-3, 2024
May Advisory Meeting - May 10, 2024 Recording of Meeting HB24-1448 New School Finance Formula Presentation - CSFP Newcomer Funding + SB24-188 Public School Finance Presentation - CSFP SB24-233 Property Tax Bill Presentation - CSFP Property Tax Legislation and Ballot Initiatives - Greg Sobetski Teacher Housing - Eagle County and RBC
May What We're Reading "Colorado approved $24 million for migrant students. Here’s how much each school district will get." Yesenia Robles, Chalkbeat, May 3, 2024. "Property tax agreement elusive while land-use bills advance," Seth Klamann, Denver Post, May 6, 2024 "How will Colorado’s new funding formula affect rural districts? It depends." Jason Gonzalez, Chalkbeat, May 3, 2024. "Colorado lawmakers reach last-minute bipartisan property tax deal that averts cuts to K-12 funding", Jesse Paul and Brian Eason, Colorado Sun, May 6, 2024. "Will voters overrule fix to property tax spike?" Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, May 14, 2024.
APRIL 2024
Strategic School Finance - Fort Morgan, CO April 4-5, 2024 Agenda Colorado Context for School Finance - CSFP Fund Balance Basics - CDE Intro to CO School Finance - CDE Strategic School Finance - CDE/CSFP Revenue and Expenditure Optimization - CDE Proposed School Finance Changes - CSFP Base Teacher Salary - CDE Declining Enrollment and Forecast - CDE Putting it into Action - CSFP
CSFP Presentation at CASE Western Slope Superintendents Conference - April 18, 2024 ESSER Update with 5 months to Go
April Advisory Meeting - April 19, 2024 Recording of meeting
MARCH 2024
March Advisory Meeting - March 8, 2024 Recording of Meeting Changing a State Finance Formula - Justin Silverstein, APA Healthy School Meals for All Update - CDE
March Economic Forecast - March 15, 2024 • Legislative Council Economic and Revenue Forecast Report • Legislative Council Economic and Revenue Forecast Presentation • Legislative Council Consumer Price Index Forecast • OSPB Colorado Economic and Fiscal Outlook Presentation • OSPB Colorado Economic and Fiscal Outlook Report • OSPB Colorado Outlook Supplemental Materials
FEBRUARY 2024
Strategic School Finance Training - Rifle, CO February 1-2, 2024 District Team Workshop Tool Agenda School Finance Changes presentation - CSFP Fund Balance Basics presentation - CDE Intro to School Finance presentation - CDE Strategic School Finance (Track 2)- CSFP Revenue & Expenditure Optimization - CDE Problem of Practice :Salary Schedule - CDE Problem of Practice: Declining Enrollment - CDE Problem of Practice: Forecasting - CDE Putting it into Action! - CSFP
February Advisory Meeting - February 9, 2024 Recording of Meeting Universal Preschool Update
CSFP at CASE Winter Leadership - February 21-22, 2024 School Finance Changes presentation Unveiling ESSER Impact presentation
CSFP Presentation to Bethune Board of Education - February 26, 2024
School Finance Act 2024 Fiscal Note 24-25 District Calculation Worksheet by CDE
JANUARY 2024
CSFP at Aurora Public School's Board of Education Presentation - January 10, 2024
Joint Education SMART Government Act Hearing - January 17, 2024 Department of Early Childhood: 2024 Smart Act Presentation FY 2023-24 Performance Plan 2024 Departmental Regulatory Agenda and 2023 Report Transition, Program Review, and Agency Collaboration Report Early Childhood Leadership Commission Presentation Department of Education: 2024 Smart Act Presentation 2024 Smart Act Compiled Written Materials January Advisory Meeting - January 19, 2024 Recording of Meeting Outlook for the Economy, Budget and School Finance Presentation Recommendations from the School Finance Task Force Presentation Tell Your Story