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Harrison District 2 board warned state budget and TABOR holdbacks could reduce K‑12 funding
Summary
At its April 16 meeting, the Harrison School District No. 2 board heard a legislative update that flagged a proposed $36.1 million holdback of TABOR refunds in the state long bill and an estimated $1.1–$1.5 billion appropriations shortfall that could limit new K‑12 funding.
At the Harrison School District No. 2 Board of Education meeting on April 16, district legislative liaison Mrs. Thompson told the board the Colorado long bill is nearing finalization and includes a proposed $36.1 million holdback of TABOR refunds that could affect K‑12 funding.
"There is a line item that shows a $36.1 million savings," Mrs. Thompson said, explaining the governor believes federal budget changes after July 2025 led to overissuance of refunds. She added that the Joint Budget Committee issued a Feb. 20 memo warning the holdback "may not pass the muster." If the holdback is challenged, those dollars could affect school funding in future years.
Mrs. Thompson said the long bill total is in the tens of billions and that roughly 75 bills impacting K‑12 remain under consideration. She singled out House Bill 261264, a discipline bill on which district staff testified, saying implementation could be "very difficult" and disruptive to school operations if passed without feasible implementation plans.
Board members asked whether there was funding available in appropriations to support new measures. Mrs. Thompson responded that the state faces an estimated $1.1 billion to $1.5 billion shortfall and that there is currently no discretionary money in appropriations to expand K‑12 programs.
On federal education funding, Mrs. Thompson and board members noted the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act remains underfunded. "When IDEA was authorized Congress aspired to fund it at 40%. The closest we've been is about 16% and currently maybe 13%," she said, describing how districts must backfill federally mandated services from general funds.
The board did not take action on state legislation but heard that uncertainty around the long bill and TABOR refunds will inform district budget planning in coming weeks. Mrs. Thompson said the session is expected to continue through May 13 and that further updates will be provided to the board as the long bill is finalized.
The board will receive additional briefings and may revisit district budgeting decisions after state actions are clearer.
