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House passes 2026 School Finance Act, raising base per‑pupil funding and adopting smoothing and hold‑harmless changes
Summary
The House passed Senate Bill 23, the 2026 School Finance Act, which raises the statewide base per‑pupil funding and includes amendments on smoothing factors, cost‑of‑living timing and protections for rural districts.
The House approved the 2026 School Finance Act (Senate Bill 23) after committee and floor amendments addressing technical and distributional concerns. Sponsors said the bill raises the statewide base per‑pupil funding and protects districts from sudden funding decreases.
Representative Lukens, a sponsor, outlined committee amendments adopted in appropriations that included a smoothing factor method negotiated with district CFOs and superintendents, a one‑year pause on the newly calculated cost‑of‑living factor for 43 districts that would otherwise face sudden decreases, and an accommodation for charter schools and BOCES funding issues. "We are very proud to bring the school finance act before you today… Every Colorado school district will maintain or increase its funding," a sponsor said on the floor.
Other amendments clarified eligibility for part‑time homeschool programs, tightened rules to prevent public dollars being used to fund private‑only enrichment activities, and updated reporting and contingency provisions. Several members emphasized protections for rural and small districts and changes to the sustained funding and postsecondary credit reimbursement distribution.
After explanation and debate, the House passed the bill as amended. Sponsors described the act as increasing per‑pupil funding and applying hold‑harmless protections while implementing negotiated transitions to the revised formula. The bill advances to final enrollment steps.
