ColoradoColorado task force would study gaps in public school access
Colorado would form a task force to study school access gaps and effective practices, if it receives enough gifts, grants, and donations to begin.
What it does
A task force would study unequal access to effective public schools and practices for Colorado students. It can begin only if gifts, grants, and donations provide enough money.
The task force would send state leaders findings and recommendations on school access. It must include a minority report if a member asks, and its work depends on available donations and other gifts.
Argument forThe study could help state leaders spot unequal access and learn which school practices may help more students succeed.
Argument againstThe study could stall if gifts and donations fall short, leaving its work and report unfinished.
More detail
A task force in the education department would study ways to expand access to effective public schools and practices. The study would consider opportunity gaps among Colorado students, including differences in access and academic outcomes linked to factors such as race, income, geography, disability, and English learner status. The task force may begin work only after the education commissioner determines that it has enough gifts, grants, and donations. The General Assembly may not provide General Fund money for this work; duties and the contractor's work are not required if money is unavailable. The commissioner or a designee must call the first meeting within one month after determining funding is sufficient, or by July 31, 2026, whichever is later. The task force must meet at least four times and finish by January 1, 2027, with an adjusted report deadline if its first meeting is after July 31, 2026.
The task force would send a written report with findings and recommendations to state education leaders and lawmakers. The report would go to the education committees of both legislative chambers, the governor, the State Board of Education, the education commissioner, and the Department of Education. The report must include a minority report if a task force member requests one. The report and the contractor's work are contingent on money being available. The report is due by January 1, 2027. If the first meeting occurs after July 31, 2026, the deadline must allow five months between that meeting and the report.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 4Governor Jared Polis SignedBecame Law
- May 19Signed by the President of the SenateMajor
- May 19Signed by the Speaker of the HouseMajor
- May 19Sent to the GovernorTo Governor
- May 13House Third Reading Passed - No AmendmentsPassed House
- Vote recorded BILL. Result: pass.Lower
- May 12House Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to House Committee of the WholeMinor
- Vote recorded Refer Senate Bill 26-170 to the Committee of the Whole. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Refer Senate Bill 26-170 to the Committee of the Whole. Result: pass.Lower
- May 12House Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments
- May 9House Committee on Finance Refer Unamended to AppropriationsMinor
- Vote recorded Refer Senate Bill 26-170 to the Committee on Appropriations. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Refer Senate Bill 26-170 to the Committee on Appropriations. Result: pass.Lower
- May 6House Committee on Education Refer Unamended to FinanceMinor
- Vote recorded Refer Senate Bill 26-170 to the Committee on Finance. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 30Senate Third Reading Passed - No AmendmentsPassed Senate
- Vote recorded BILL. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 30Introduced In House - Assigned to EducationMinor
- Apr 29Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed with Amendments - Committee, Floor
- Apr 28Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to Senate Committee of the WholeMinor
- Vote recorded Refer Senate Bill 26-170 to the Committee of the Whole. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 22Senate Committee on Education Refer Amended to AppropriationsMinor
- Vote recorded Refer Senate Bill 26-170, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded Adopt amendment L.001. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 17Introduced In Senate - Assigned to EducationIntroduced
EducationGovernment & EthicsPublic Safety