House adopts bill to create Access to Opportunity task force after floor debate

The Colorado House of Representatives adopted Senate Bill 170 on third reading and final passage on May 13, authorizing an Access to Opportunity task force to study and recommend ways to expand access to effective public schools.

Sponsor Representative Martinez urged members to hear the bill read at length to clear up “a lot of misinformation” and to make sure colleagues understood what they were voting on. Martinez said the bill would create a task force charged with reporting findings and recommendations to the education committees of both chambers, the governor, the State Board of Education and the commissioner of education before January 1 (according to the bill summary read on the floor).

Representative Goldstein pushed back during floor debate, calling the proposal unnecessary and labeling it “another bureaucratic purpose.” Goldstein argued that school districts already know local needs and that lawmakers should be visiting schools and focusing on closing the estimated $3.5–$4.0 billion funding gap in public education rather than creating a new study body.

Supporters including the assistant majority leader framed the task force as a way to align evidence‑based programs and attract investment to underserved communities; the bill’s summary says the task force would investigate opportunity gaps and recommend strategies for expanding access to effective public schools.

After limited floor discussion, the House conducted a recorded vote. The clerk announced the tally as 38 ayes and 27 noes, with 0 excused; the motion was adopted and SB170 was passed.

The bill requires the task force to report to the education committees, the governor, the state board of education and the commissioner of education; further implementation details and any required appropriations would be determined as the task force completes its work and reports back to the legislature.