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.
November 2024 Election Tracker - certified on Nov 27th, 2024.
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.
CSFP at the CASB Winter Convention - December 5-6, 2024
School Finance 101
School Finance 201
Strategic Budgeting Session
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 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.
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
DECEMBER 2023
JBC Department of Education (School Finance) Briefing - December 6, 2023 Education Staff Budget Briefing Education Staff Budget Briefing *SUMMARY*
JBC Department of Education Hearing - December 12, 2023 Education Hearing
JBC Colorado Department of Early Childhood Hearing - December 12, 2023 Early Childhood Hearing
CSFP at Englewood School Board - December 6, 2023
CSFP At CASB Convention - December 7-9, 2023 School Finance 101 School Finance Changes Assessing School Board Mill Levy Discretion ESSER Presentation CASB New Member Booklet Governor Request on Mill Levies FAQ
December 2023 Economic Forecast - December 20, 2023 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
NOVEMBER 2023
Mill Levy Webinar - November 1, 2023 Recording here Powerpoint State/Local Share by District 2013-2023 Governor Polis 24-25 Budget Request - November 1, 2023 Budget Presentation Budget Letter November 2023 Elections - Results Report - MLO Map 1988-2023
November Advisory Meeting - November 10, 2023 Recording here Governor's Budget with OSPB ESSER Updates PSPF Community Investment CSFP at CU Denver Presentation - November 14, 2023 JBC Colorado Department of Early Childhood Briefing - November 30, 2023 Early Childhood Staff Budget Briefing Early Childhood Staff Budget Briefing *SUMMARY* Special Session Bill Tracker November What We're Reading "Undecided on Proposition HH? Here’s a guide". Nick Coltrain, The Denver Post, November 5, 2023 "Senate GOP slows rush - Democrats kill Republican bills, aim for property tax relief, other help"-Nick Coltrain and Seth Klamann, The Denver Post, November 18, 2023. "Colorado task force charged with finding a long-term property tax solution won’t include people behind 2024 ballot measures" - Jesse Paul, The Colorado Sun, November 29, 2023.
OCTOBER 2023
CSFP at CASE Western Slope Superintendents Conference - October 19, 2023 October Advisory Meeting - October 20, 2023 Recording here PERA Updates presentation
SEPTEMBER 2023
Universal Preschool Update to the JBC - September 20, 2023 September 2023 Economic Forecast - September 20, 2023 • 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 at Fall CASBO conference - September 27, 2023
September What We're Reading - "School districts nationwide could face financial peril next year. Here’s how Colorado is preparing." Erica Breunlin, Chalkbeat. September 26, 2023.
AUGUST 2023
CSFP and CASE New Superintendent Webinar - August 8, 2023 Presentation Recording here
CSFP at Adams 12 Board Meeting on Prop HH - August 16, 2023
August What We're Reading - "Colorado backtracks on full-time preschool for 11,000 kids with risk factors" - Ann Schimke, Chalkbeat, August 2, 2023
JULY 2023
CSFP at BOCES Summer Conference Presentation - July 10th, 2023 CSFP at CASE Summer Conference Presentation - July 26, 2023 July What We're Reading - "More than 3,700 Colorado 4-year-olds qualify for extra preschool hours, with number likely to jump" - Erica Breunlin, Colorado Sun, July 24, 2023
JUNE 2023
ESSER Half-Way Survey Press Release - 6/1/2023
June 2023 Economic Forecast - June 20, 2023
- 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
MAY 2023
CSFP May Advisory Meeting - May 12, 2023 Recording here. UPK Financial Presentation
UPK Enrollment Survey Results - May 25, 2023
May What We're Reading - "Use our calculator to determine what your new property tax bill would be under the Colorado legislature’s relief plan"- Jesse Paul, Colorado Sun, May 3, 2023. -"What the 10-year Colorado property tax proposal would mean for you"- Andrew Kenney, CPR, May 4, 2023
APRIL 2023
Funding Formula Scenarios worksheet How to use?CSFP at CASE Western Slope Conference Presentation- 4/17/2023 CSFP at CASBO Presentation - 4/19/2023 School Funding Changes worksheet - updated 4/14/2023 CSFP April Advisory Meeting - April 21, 2023 Recording here. UPK Presentation by Dr. Lisa Roy Costing-out/adequacy study Information Residential/Non-Residential Assessed Value by district Legislative Initiatives Tracker
April What We're Reading - "There’s a lot packed into Colorado’s $38.5 billion budget. Here are six things you need to know about it." - Jesse Paul, Colorado Sun, April 3, 2023
-"Bill would add protections for students facing expulsion" - Erica Meltzer, Chalkbeat, April 17, 2023.
- "Colorado’s increased tobacco taxes are generating more money than expected. State lawmakers want to keep the surplus." - Jesse Paul, April 17, 2023.
- "Denver-area assessors warn of major spike in property taxes as Colorado legislature rushes to provide relief" - Jesse Paul, Colorado Sun, April 26, 2023
- "Tens of thousands of Colorado families have been matched with a universal preschool provider. Another 2,300 will have to apply again." - Erica Breunlin, Colorado Sun, April 26, 2023.
- "Big property tax hikes in ’24" - Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, April 26, 2023
MARCH 2023
ESSER Mid-Point Survey Results Press Release - March 6, 2023
CSFP March Advisory Meeting - March 10th, 2023
Recording here.
ESSER Mid-point Survey Presentation
March Forecast - March 16, 2023
- 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 - "Homeowners to face massive hikes . Jump in home values during pandemic will result in bigger bills" - Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, March 6, 2023
FEBRUARY 2023
CSFP February Advisory Meeting - February 10th, 2023 Recording here. Governor's Office Presentation State Demography Office Presentation and 5 to 18 Count by District
Department of Education - Figure Setting 22-23 - Feb 13, 2023
Department of Early Childhood - Figure Setting 23-24 - Feb 15, 2023
Department of Education (Programs other than School Finance and Categorical Programs) - Figure Setting 23-24 - Feb 23, 2023
CSFP Presentation "School Finance in Times of Uncertainty" at CASE Winter Conference - Feb 22, 2023
February What We're Reading: - "Colorado politicians want more property tax relief as state forecasts 26.5% increase in assessed values" - Nick Coltrain, Greeley Tribune, Feb 6, 2023 - "Fears flare that Colorado free preschool could shortchange kids with learning delays"- Ann Schimke, Chalkbeat, Feb 6, 2023 - "A $60K Starting Salary for Teachers? Not a Single State Meets the Bar" - Libby Stanford, Education Week, February 24, 2023
JANUARY 2023
Per Pupil Spending by District 22-23 - Released January 2023 CSFP Presentation to CU on School Finance - January 11, 2023 SMART Government Act Hearings Meeting - January 13, 2023 CDE SMART Act Slides CDE SMART Act Supplemental Materials CDE Performance Plan CDEC SMART Act Slides
FY 22-23 CDEC Performance Plan
ECLC SMART Act Slides
CSFP January Advisory Meeting - January 20th, 2023 Recording here. CDLS Online Learning Presentation Bell Policy Center on Property Tax Presentation
January What We're Reading - "State enrollment data shows fewer students in Colorado schools" - Yesenia Robles, Chalkbeat, Jan 18, 2023 - CEA's 2023 Colorado State of Education Report - January 2023