Welcome

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.

NEW!!!!! 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)
Helpful Links:

ESSER Information
Click HERE to access the ESSER homepage.


Property Tax Background and Talking Points


Colorado Input Based Financial Adequacy Study 2024
Find more info here.


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.
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 Budget
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
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
CSFP at the CASB Winter Convention - December 5-6, 2024
School Finance 101
School Finance 201
Strategic Budgeting Session
November 2024 Election Results- certified on Nov 27th, 2024
History of MLO District Map
November CSFP Advisory Meeting - November 15, 2024
Recording of Meeting
Governor's Budget
Universal Preschool Update
CSFP at Colorado ASBO - October 18, 2024
CSFP at Western Slope Superintendents Conference - October 17, 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 Clear Creek Presentation - October 8, 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
December/January 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.
"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.