State of Colorado Archives: on Education


Alice Madden: Drive more money into K-12 and higher education

As a minority member of the Colorado House, she says, "I was able to make some bad bills better, and I was able to stop some bad bills. But probably most importantly, I was able to drive more money into higher education, which is on the chopping block constantly, and K-12 funding, and create a state revenue stream for transit funds that didn't exist until then. We had RTD, but we didn't have a fund that went directly into transit, just regular transportation. So that was one of my prouder moments."
Source: Westword.com on 2020 Colorado Senate race Oct 11, 2019

Alice Madden: For science-based sex education in schools

HB1292: Requires school districts, family resource centers, and teen pregnancy prevention programs that offer instruction regarding human sexuality to adopt science-based content standards for such instruction.

Summary by the Colorado ACLU: This bill sets science-based content standards for public school districts that offer classes on sexual education. It also requires teen-pregnancy-prevention programs and drop-out-prevention programs that offer instruction on human sexuality to offer comparable curricula. This bill works to guarantee that students receive education on human sexuality that is supported by scientific evidence. This information will help them better understand and make informed decisions about human sexuality.

Legislative outcome:Passed House 39-26-0, on Feb/28/07; Rep. Madden co-sponsored bill and voted YES; Passed Senate 34-0-1, on Apr/5/07Signed by Gov. Bill Ritter on May/14/07.

Source: ACLU-CO on Colorado legislative voting records: HB1292 Feb 28, 2007

Amy Stephens: Voted NO on expanding comprehensive sex education

HB 1081: Vote to pass a bill that establishes a comprehensive human sexuality education grant program.
Source: VoteSmart summary: 2014 Colorado Senate voting record Mar 18, 2013

Amy Stephens: Voted NO on authorizing same-sex civil unions

SB 11: Authorizes Civil Unions, effective May 1, 2013.
Source: VoteSmart summary: 2014 Colorado Senate voting record Feb 11, 2013

Amy Stephens: Opposed to science-based sex education in schools

HB1292: Requires school districts, family resource centers, and teen pregnancy prevention programs that offer instruction regarding human sexuality to adopt science-based content standards for such instruction.

Summary by the Colorado ACLU: This bill sets science-based content standards for public school districts that offer classes on sexual education. It also requires teen-pregnancy-prevention programs and drop-out-prevention programs that offer instruction on human sexuality to offer comparable curricula. This bill works to guarantee that students receive education on human sexuality that is supported by scientific evidence. This information will help them better understand and make informed decisions about human sexuality.

Legislative outcome:Passed House 39-26-0, on Feb/28/07; Rep. Amy Stephens voted NO; Passed Senate 34-0-1, on Apr/5/07Signed by Gov. Bill Ritter on May/14/07.

Source: ACLU-CO on Colorado legislative voting records: HB1292 Feb 28, 2007

Angela Williams: Supported bill to require LGBTQ-inclusive education

Lawmakers passed a bill to reform K-12 education. If Gov. Jared Polis signs the legislation, Colorado will require LGBTQ-inclusive education in public schools, as well as a focus on other minority groups in the state. "Educating our students on the contributions of a number of people from different backgrounds isn't a rewrite of history, its a correction," Williams tweeted. "I'm proud to speak to the powerful belief that diversity is the source of our strength."
Source: Bustle.com blog on Colorado voting records May 3, 2019

Angela Williams: Student loan debt is ball and chain on young people's lives

On student debt: "We waste a lot of money in this country, and if we're not investing in education, we have our priorities wrong," Williams said, adding the need for more skilled worker programs in lieu of traditional four-year college. "Student loan debt is a ball and chain on young people's lives. We have an entire generation of people not buying homes because they're too afraid of being able to pay their student loans. That would be moving money back into the economy."
Source: Summit Daily News on 2020 Colorado Senate debate Oct 24, 2019

Bill Ritter: For science-based sex education in schools

HB1292: Requires school districts, family resource centers, and teen pregnancy prevention programs that offer instruction regarding human sexuality to adopt science-based content standards for such instruction.

Summary by the Colorado ACLU: This bill sets science-based content standards for public school districts that offer classes on sexual education. It also requires teen-pregnancy-prevention programs and drop-out-prevention programs that offer instruction on human sexuality to offer comparable curricula. This bill works to guarantee that students receive education on human sexuality that is supported by scientific evidence. This information will help them better understand and make informed decisions about human sexuality.

Legislative outcome:Passed House 39-26-0, on Feb/28/07; Passed Senate 34-0-1, on Apr/5/07; Signed by Gov. Bill Ritter on May/14/07.

Source: ACLU-CO on Colorado legislative voting records: HB1292 May 14, 2007

Bob Beauprez: Our common-sense electorate defeated Amendment 66

Q. People say Colorado has become more blue. Do you believe that?

A. If you count noses, it's pretty obvious there are more Democrats elected now than there used to be. But when you see what happened with Amendment 66, you have to ask yourself, "Well, wait a minute, didn't they just throw that one back in the governor's face?" Sure they did. Colorado historically has been a little difficult to read, but I believe this is still kind of a common-sense electorate.

[Amendment 66 was a school tax measure that was voted down on the 2013 ballot. The amendment, which was supported by Gov. Hickenlooper, would have provided an increase in public school funding by 16.6%, including funding for charter schools].

Source: Denver Post Q&A on 2014 Colorado gubernatorial race Mar 4, 2014

Bob Schaffer: More competition needed in higher-ed loan-making

Udall said he supported government-run college aid programs and said they should be given more money. Schaffer opposes such programs and said he would fight for more lenders, which would generate competition for lower rates.

He warned the collapse of mortgage lenders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could also happen to the federal loan system. “This is really a question of whether you support a higher-ed lending system that is doomed to collapse like Fannie and Freddie have or is it sustainable,” he said.

Source: 2008 Colorado Senate Debate reported on ABC7-Denver Channel Oct 17, 2008

Cary Kennedy: Supports wise investments in Colorado's public schools

Kennedy has 10 years of experience in Colorado finance and a proven track record of leadership--a record which reflects her firm commitment to finding fiscal solutions that balance the budget without cutting wise investments in Colorado's children and public schools.

Kennedy served as the policy director for House Speaker Andrew Romanoff where she helped develop Referendum C. In 2000, she was the author of a statewide initiative to increase funding for Colorado's public schools, Amendment 23.

Source: 2006 Colorado campaign website KennedyForTreasurer.com Nov 4, 2006

Cary Kennedy: Make college more affordable, including tech & vocational

We know that in the future, seven out of ten jobs are going to require some higher education, some higher skills. And yet in Colorado, not even three out of ten kids who grow up here are getting any kind of higher-education degree-- not an associate's degree, not a bachelor's degree--within six years of leaving high school.

We can do much more in our high schools to give kids employable skills when they graduate. That includes technical and professional and vocational courses we can offer in high school. And we can also make college more affordable. We need to do that as a state. We can do it as a state. I'll talk as a candidate and as governor about the importance of making education a top priority here in Colorado.

Source: Westword.com on 2018 Colorado gubernatorial race Mar 30, 2017

Cary Kennedy: Led Amendment 23: reduce budget cuts to public schools

Kennedy served as state treasurer from 2007 to 2011. She's said education would be her top priority. In 2000, she wrote and led the campaign for Amendment 23, which reduced budget cuts to public schools. She told The Colorado Independent that her biggest feat as state treasurer was implementing the Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) program, which allocated funds to build new schools and renovate existing ones. Kennedy announced her campaign in a controversial Facebook live video.
Source: Colorado Times-Recorder on 2018 Colorado gubernatorial race Apr 17, 2017

Cory Gardner: Filed brief for tax dollars for private religious schools

Q: Use public funding for private and/or for-profit schools?

Corey Gardner: Yes. Filed a Supreme Court brief supporting the use of public funds to pay for educating children in private religious schools.

John Hickenlooper: No. Supports parents selecting the best schools, but "would not support the use of publicly funded vouchers for private or religious school education."

Source: CampusElect on 2020 Colorado Senate race Oct 10, 2020

Cory Gardner: Let employers donate tax free to employees' student loans

Q: Support free or subsidized tuition for lower-income individuals? Support lower interest or forgiveness on student loans?

Corey Gardner: No general stand found. Did introduce bill allowing employers to contribute tax free to employees' student loans. Discharge federal student loans for the permanently disabled.

John Hickenlooper: Reduce federal student loan interest to 2.5% or less, with "expanded loan repayment and forgiveness programs, tuition-free community college"; minority scholarships.

Source: CampusElect on 2020 Colorado Senate race Oct 10, 2020

Dan Baer: Education is a social benefit & an investment in our country

Baer's time with the Colorado Department of Education has convinced him "that we need to no longer think about education as purely a social benefit and start to think about it as an investment in the United States in respect to AI and automation. We need to make sure Coloradans have the skills we need to have good jobs in the next ten to twenty years, and the federal government needs to take a leadership role on the R&D side. That's why there's some portion of education spending that should come from the Defense Department budget--and that's a conversation I'd like to have, because education is a national security issue."
Source: Westword.com on 2020 Colorado Senate race Apr 30, 2019

Darryl Glenn: Take back our education system from federal bureaucrats

Freeing our Future by creating opportunities for everyone to pursue personal prosperity: Here's how:
Source: 2016 Colorado Senate campaign website ElectDarrylGlenn.com Apr 14, 2016

Donna Lynne: Must meet challenge of funding schools

We need to do more to ensure our teachers at every level have the resources and support they need to be effective in the classroom. We have a real teacher shortage in our state--especially in our rural regions--and as governor I will work to address this.

While it will be a difficult challenge, I also believe that we must make critical changes to our K-12 school funding formula to better address the needs of all our students.

Source: 2018 Colorado Gubernatorial website LynneForColorado.com Sep 15, 2017

Doug Robinson: In education, more choice makes more competition

Q: What is your opinion on education?

A: Specifically, I think there are some innovative models in other places around the country. At the heart of education is our teachers, and we need to make sure we're hiring, recruiting, mentoring and paying our best teachers what they deserve to be paid. I believe charter schools and choice and other innovative models improve the public schools in terms of creating more competition.

Source: Westword.com on 2018 Colorado gubernatorial race Apr 25, 2017

Doug Robinson: Competition key to improving public schools

Children do better when they can attend a school of their family's choice, regardless of the type: public, charter, private, traditional, online or home school. Expanded school choice, of course, does not mean we should be leaving behind our traditional public schools; it's about increasing the level of competition in our education system to compel schools to be better. Charter schools bring increased innovation and competition, which drives all schools to improve.
Source: 2018 Colorado Gubernatorial website DougForColorado.com Sep 1, 2017

Ed Perlmutter: Stress abstinence in sex education programs

Source: 1998 Colorado State National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 1998

Ed Perlmutter: Increase teacher funding & school construction

Source: 1998 Colorado State National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 1998

George Brauchler: Local control instead of one-size-fits-all education models

We must recognize that every child learns differently and reject one-size-fits-all education models and federal government mandates dreamed up by bureaucrats far from here, such as Common Core. The education of our children ought to be a cooperative effort between parents and teachers with an emphasis on the curriculum, not just testing. A child's parents are their foremost educators. That is a fact. Parents should have the right to determine the best course of their child's education throughout every level, including public, private, charter and homeschooling options.
Source: 2018 Colorado Gubernatorial campaign website george2018.com Jul 12, 2017

Ellen Burnes: Grads struggling with student debt deserve better

On student debt: "To the recent college graduate struggling with the crushing burden of student debt; the single parent juggling two jobs, living paycheck to paycheck to put food on the table for their children; the senior who has to choose between paying their mortgage and paying for their life-saving medication--you deserve better, and that is why I am running for the U.S. Senate," she said.
Source: Denver Post on 2020 Colorado Senate race Apr 17, 2019

George Brauchler: Colorado should lead in STEM education

Colorado should be on the forefront of innovation and technology. To accomplish this, we will assist our local school districts to develop high-achieving STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) programs, encourage student participation and recruit/retain STEM educators. As we continue to develop future leaders in STEM fields, we will draw new companies and high-paying jobs to Colorado with our educated workforce.
Source: 2018 Colorado Gubernatorial campaign website george2018.com Jul 12, 2017

Greg Lopez: Parents want school choice and vocational training; I agree

It is time for the educational system to reevaluate its course and develop a healthy conscience when teaching our children. I will work with the State Board of Education to keep the basic promise of education which is to prepare students for either college or to enter the workforce. The parents of Colorado want School Choice and Vocational Training to be an integral part of the Colorado Education System and I agree.
Source: 2022 Colorado Gubernatorial campaign website Lopez2022.com Nov 9, 2021

Heidi Ganahl: Ensure we are funding our students, not the system

Source: 2022 Colorado Governor campaign website HeidiForGovernor.com Dec 28, 2021

Heidi Ganahl: Critic: supports "conservative affirmative action" in hiring

For years, the far right has been losing elections in this state. Heidi Ganahl was part of the problem. As CU Regent, Heidi Ganahl severely damaged the integrity of Colorado's flagship university with "conservative affirmative action" programs to make higher education safe for right-wing ideologues. Ganahl backed the hiring of John Eastman, a discredited, racist academic who helped incite violence at the U.S. Capitol on the morning of January 6th.
Source: Progress Now Colorado on 2022 Colorado Gubernatorial race Sep 13, 2021

Jared Polis: Prime supporter of Amendment 23 for school funding in 2000

Polis was a prime supporter of Amendment 23 for school funding in 2000 but he was on the sidelines for the failed Amendment 66 measure [Republican gubernatorial opponent Walker] Stapleton helped defeated in 2013 and he has not endorsed Initiative 93, a $1.6 billion effort this year.

The Republican nominee, of course, lacks the backing of the state teacher's union, which endorsed Polis this month. But in the primary, the Colorado Education Association ran an attack ad against Polis.

"Our members share Jared's concern that too many communities don't have the resources they need for every child to succeed," the president of the Colorado Education Association said. "We have created 'haves and have-nots' among our children, and nowhere is that more apparent than with our youngest students who don't receive the same level of quality early childhood education. Jared impressed us with his strong commitment to give all kids a great start and better prepare them for a successful lifetime of learning."

Source: Colorado Springs Gazette on 2018 Colorado gubernatorial race Aug 31, 2018

Jared Polis: Increased across-the-board funding and preschool for all

Q: Increase funding for K-12 education?

Jared Polis (D): Yes. Advocates for increased across-the-board funding and preschool for all. Has also supported related levies and bonds and will continue to do so.

Walker Stapleton (R): Yes. But "it is critical to ensure that these dollars actually make it into the classroom."

Q: Support recent teachers' strikes?

Polis: Yes. Stop underpaying teachers, "instead of criminalizing [their] right to.demand fair compensation."

Stapleton: Unknown.

Q: Education: Support providing vouchers or tax breaks to parents to send their children to private schools with public money?

Polis: "I've voted against vouchers every time they've come up in Congress. I don't support diverting funds from public schools to private schools. Period."

Stapleton: Yes. Advocates "school choice" and believes "each student that gets . $10,000 in funding should take that money .& .do whatever they want."

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Colorado Governor race Oct 9, 2018

Jared Polis: Started two public charter schools for at-risk youth

We all agree that every child deserves a great education. One of the great joys of my life was starting the New America School and the Academy of Urban Learning--public charter schools for at-risk youth--and seeing how kids who had fallen through the cracks in our education system could take off and go on to achieve amazing things once they were given the opportunity.

It's time for us to build a Colorado education system where every single child--regardless of their zip code--gets a great education that prepares them for a bright future. And it begins with preschool and kindergarten. Our top priority this session is empowering every single Colorado community to offer free, full-day kindergarten, while expanding free preschool to 8,000 more Colorado children.

"Free Kindergarten Now" for all children will save taxpayer money in the long run by increasing incomes and decreasing the achievement gap. It will strengthen families, our communities, and our economy.

Source: 2019 State of the State address to Colorado legislature Jan 10, 2019

Jared Polis: Achieve universal pre-school for 4-year-olds by end of term

In my budget this year, we're proposing to help an additional 6,000 children attend preschool, which for the first time will bring coverage to half of all eligible kids in Colorado. We should feel good about reaching this milestone. But it has taken more than three decades to get only half the job done. We can and we must do better, which is why I'm committed to achieving universal access to quality preschool for 4-year-olds by the end of my first term.

We know that under Colorado's system of local control, individual districts set teacher salaries. When I speak with school leaders, they want to pay teachers better. But because of our fiscal rules, the state spends far too much money backfilling some of the wealthiest districts not only in the state, but in the country. That is truly at the root of our school funding issues. Together, we can fix this systemic problem and finally raise pay for our hardworking educators.

Source: 2020 Colorado State of the State address Jan 9, 2020

Jared Polis: Increased higher education funding, plus $100 for newborns

Most of the time, but not always, the path to success involves some higher education degree or credential. But rising costs are putting higher education out of reach for too many. We took action by increasing the General Fund investment in higher education by 13%, an increase that we are building on in our new budget. Thanks to new legislation enacted last year, we are putting $100 into a college savings account for every single Colorado child born or adopted beginning January 1st of this year.
Source: 2020 Colorado State of the State address Jan 9, 2020

Jared Polis: Increase funding by roughly $12-13 thousand per classroom

I have a plan for historic investment in Kindergarten through 12th grade education, which will reduce the Budget Stabilization Factor to a 13-year low, while increasing per pupil funding by roughly $12-13 thousand per classroom, supporting smaller class sizes and enhanced pay for teachers. And we must take the RESPONSIBLE approach by setting money aside to keep up with these investments for future years.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Colorado legislature Jan 13, 2022

Joe O`Dea: Allow dollars to follow students, expand school choice

@ODeaForColorado: In Colorado, over HALF of our students are not reading or doing math at grade level. That's unacceptable.

It's time to allow education dollars to follow students, empower parents to have a larger voice in the discussion, and expand school choice. The status quo isn't working.

Source: Twitter posting on 2022 Colorado Senate race Jun 21, 2022

John Hickenlooper: Earn-and-learn programs to reduce attainment gap

We're working so aggressively, on all sides of the Golden Triangle, to close the Attainment Gap. Our Business and Experiential Learning Commission is building on our concurrent enrollment programs and developing a new model for college and career readiness. It gives students the opportunity to earn college credit, and get professional experience, while simultaneously achieving their high school diplomas.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Colorado legislature Jan 14, 2016

John Hickenlooper: Some standardized testing is necessary

Last session, you came together and passed bipartisan legislation to reduce testing by 30 hours, so we can accurately measure our kids' progress toward meeting standards without overwhelming them or their teachers. But there are pivotal moments in our kids' academic careers when we need to know exactly where they stand on the learning curve, so we can adjust course if needed before it's too late. That's why we're standing firm on 9th grade assessments.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Colorado legislature Jan 14, 2016

John Hickenlooper: Increase investment in education by additional $100M

Today, in almost every part of Colorado, zip code still determines your educational outcome. And that determines your economic outcome. This needs to change. We re-convened the Education Leadership Council to build a long-term vision and path forward. We're pumping an additional one hundred million dollars above enrollment and inflation into our schools this year, and adding ten million dollars to address teacher shortages in rural areas.
Source: 2018 Colorado State of the State address Jan 11, 2018

John Hickenlooper: Schools should focus on skills for future jobs

We need to transition from a degree-based education system to one that also includes skill-based training. Experts tell us over sixty percent of our kids in school today will not get a 4-year degree. Careers and professions by the dozens will be swept away in the coming decades. But new industries will emerge at an equally frantic rate. We will need not just engineers but huge numbers of technicians and analysts with new sets of skills. We need to get more kids learning skills that matter.
Source: 2018 State of the State address to the Colorado legislature Jan 11, 2018

John Hickenlooper: Opposes vouchers for private or religious schools

Q: Use public funding for private and/or for-profit schools?

John Hickenlooper: No. Supports parents selecting the best schools, but "would not support the use of publicly funded vouchers for private or religious school education."

Corey Gardner: Yes. Filed a Supreme Court brief supporting the use of public funds to pay for educating children in private religious schools.

Source: CampusElect on 2020 Colorado Senate race Oct 10, 2020

John Hickenlooper: Expanded student loan repayment and forgiveness programs

Q: Support free or subsidized tuition for lower-income individuals? Support lower interest or forgiveness on student loans?

Hickenlooper: Reduce federal student loan interest to 2.5% or less, with "expanded loan repayment and forgiveness programs, tuition-free community college"; minority scholarships.

Corey Gardner: No general stand found. Did introduce bill allowing employers to contribute tax free to employees' student loans. Discharge federal student loans for the permanently disabled.

Source: CampusElect on 2020 Colorado Senate race Oct 10, 2020

John Walsh: Fight for well-funded high quality public education

John Walsh is a proud graduate of the public schools and will fight for public education that is well-funded and high quality for all. John has become the person that he is today thanks in no small part to the gift of a great public education. John attended Colorado public schools while growing up in Colorado, and he and his wife, Lisa, are proud to have three children that are graduates of East High School in Denver.

Public education is among the issues John cares about most. 20 years ago, John helped found Invest in Kids, an early childhood education non-profit here in Colorado. Invest in Kids has partnered with the state of Colorado and now works in all 64 counties, helping thousands of families with crucial, evidence-tested early childhood education programs. John also serves on the board of Escuela de Guadalupe, a dual-language Spanish/English school in Denver that seeks to educate a new generation of Latino and Anglo leaders who are bilingual and bicultural.

Source: 2020 Senate campaign website JohnWalshForColorado.com May 19, 2019

Jon Keyser: Provide parents with more choices

As a father, Jon believes education should be about our kids-not bureaucrats and special interests in Washington, D.C. We need to support our hardworking teachers, provide parents with more choices, and ensure the money we invest results in higher performance in the classroom. All of our kids deserve a high quality education.
Source: 2016 Colorado Senate campaign website JonKeyser.com Feb 3, 2016

Ken Salazar: Expand early childhood and after school programs

I support setting high standards for our kids, but we must provide the resources to our teachers and schools to meet them. We should not punish struggling schools or students; rather, we must provide the support necessary to insure success. We must expand our commitment to early childhood and after school programs, like Boys and Girls Clubs.
Source: 2004 Senate campaign website, SalazarForColorado.com Mar 10, 2004

Ken Salazar: Ensure higher education is affordable and accessible

We must strengthen our commitment to higher education, at our universities, community colleges, trade schools and other places of learning. And we must make sure that higher education is affordable and accessible to all.
Source: 2004 Senate campaign website, SalazarForColorado.com Mar 10, 2004

Ken Salazar: More scholarships for college

Source: 2004 Senate campaign website, SalazarForColorado.com Aug 11, 2004

Ken Salazar: Strongly supports public education

I strongly support public education, from early childhood education through high school and on through our colleges and universities. Quality education produces informed citizens and qualified workers. Our high school and college graduates form the backbone of our democracy, our free-enterprise system, and our all-volunteer armed forces.
Source: 2004 Senate campaign website, SalazarForColorado.com Aug 11, 2004

Mark Udall: More money for government-run college aid programs

When asked about the cost of higher education, Udall said he supported government-run college aid programs and said they should be given more money.

Schaffer opposes such programs and said he would fight for more lenders, which would generate competition for lower rates. He warned the collapse of mortgage lenders Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could also happen to the federal loan system.

Source: 2008 Colorado Senate Debate reported on ABC7-Denver Channel Oct 17, 2008

Mike Johnston: Keep up with innovation: 2 years of free college or training

How do we make sure Colorado is in a position to help drive the new economy and not be dragged behind the old one? What we've seen is that there's so much disruption coming to our world through globalization and automation and the changes in technology-- we're going to see up-and-coming people coming out of college and elsewhere who are going to experience 11 & 12 & 13 different careers over the course of their lifetime. We have to prepare a system that helps to train and re-train them over the course of their lifetimes, so if they're at 45 and their industry dies or contracts, they have the infrastructure and the skills to get prepared for the next emerging industry. That's why I introduced what I call the Lifetime Opportunity Promise, which is the opportunity for any Coloradan to have access, debt-free, to two years of either career training or post-secondary education as a way to get them the skills they need and the opportunity at the jobs they want in industries that are emerging.
Source: Westword interview on 2018 Colorado Gubernatorial race Jan 25, 2017

Mike Johnston: National Guard service in exchange for state college tuition

Q: How will you pay for your debt-free college and training proposal?

A: It will be done in exchange for students offering meaningful service to the state, like a National Guard, where they would do 4 or 5 weekends a year. It could be fire mitigation, trail repair, flood prevention--things we need. And if there are instances of a crisis, that corps is available to be called up

Q: The idea of state service has been out there for a while. Why has it been so hard to put something like that into place?

A: Our plan is unique in that most other service proposals are all full-time service proposals. You'd be an AmeriCorps volunteer who's working 60 hours a week in a school, or you would be working for a WPA-style program 50 hours a week--full-time programs for full-time benefits, which makes them much more expensive and much more complicated to administer. But the idea of the National Guard version is, you can still have your day job, and when Colorado calls you, you get summoned up.

Source: Westword interview on 2018 Colorado Gubernatorial race Jan 25, 2017

Mike Johnston: Weaken tenure protections; strengthen teacher evaluations

Johnston, whose state Senate term expired at the end of 2016, is best known as an eloquent speaker who championed education reform efforts and sponsored a contentious measure approved in 2010 to tie teacher evaluation to students' academic growth and weaken tenure protections.

The details of his promise to provide debt-free college and career training remains unclear. He declined to put a price tag on the plan or explain how to pay for it, maintaining that it would be near revenue-neutral.

Source: Denver Post on 2018 Colorado Gubernatorial race Jan 17, 2017

Mike Johnston: Major investment in public education

He sponsored the READ Act which provided $20 million to school districts for additional literacy support programs including full-day kindergarten. Mike fought for resources our schools needs through the Student Success Act, which allowed for the largest single investment in K-12 in state history and provided a financial transparency system so every parent and teacher could know exactly how their tax dollars are spent.
Source: 2018 Colorado Governor website MikeJohnstonForColorado.com Sep 1, 2017

Mike Johnston: Make college more affordable

Johnston is a former state senator who represented northeast Denver from 2009 until last year. He advised Barack Obama on the education in his 2008 campaign, and has said he plans to focus on making college more affordable. He had a record-breaking fundraising period, with at least $625,000 for the first quarter of 2017. He's vowed not to accept money from political action committees (PACs).
Source: Colorado Times-Recorder on 2018 Colorado gubernatorial race Apr 17, 2017

Owen Hill: Eliminate the Department of Education

In his six months as a state senator, Hill has staked out numerous positions that are far outside the mainstream of Colorado values. Hill even praised right-wing U.S. senators who are focused on eliminating the Department of Education, raising taxes on the middle class and undermining the very programs-like Medicare and Social Security-that hardworking Coloradans rely upon. And Hill has made statements that would alarm most independent-minded Coloradans, such as comparing a woman's right to choose to slavery and denouncing expanding voter rights in a tantrum-like partisan speech on the state Senate floor.
Source: Colorado Dems' press release on 2014 Colorado Senate debate Jul 8, 2013

Owen Hill: Voted NO on expanding comprehensive sex education

HB 1081: Vote to pass a bill that establishes a comprehensive human sexuality education grant program.
Source: VoteSmart summary: 2014 Colorado Senate voting record Mar 18, 2013

Owen Hill: Voted NO on authorizing same-sex civil unions

SB 11: Authorizes Civil Unions, effective May 1, 2013.
Source: VoteSmart summary: 2014 Colorado Senate voting record Feb 11, 2013

Peg Littleton: Led the effort against Common Core & for charter schools

As former elected representative to the Colorado State Board of Education and former teacher of 15 years, I led the effort against Common Core and excessive testing. Improving public and private education in Colorado is among my highest priorities.

I believe in parents and teachers. I support parental choice in education, which includes maximizing access to and support for charter schools, traditional public schools, private schools and home schools. I support outcomes-based accountability and merit-based compensation for teachers.

People are our most precious treasure. We must give our children the very best in education potentials. Colorado's best path to success involves access to quality education for all students from all neighborhoods and from all socioeconomic backgrounds. Literacy acquisition in the early grades is imperative. If children can read they will succeed. I advocate intensive instruction for teachers.

Source: 2016 Colorado Senate campaign website PegLittleton.com Feb 3, 2016

Randy Baumgardner: Voted NO on expanding comprehensive sex education

HB 1081: Vote to pass a bill that establishes a comprehensive human sexuality education grant program.
Source: VoteSmart summary: 2014 Colorado Senate voting record Mar 18, 2013

Randy Baumgardner: Voted NO on authorizing same-sex civil unions

SB 11: Authorizes Civil Unions, effective May 1, 2013.
Source: VoteSmart summary: 2014 Colorado Senate voting record Feb 11, 2013

Ron Hanks: Federal involvement a failure, return control to the states

From the 2010 VoteSmart Political Courage Test California Congressional survey:

Q: Do you oppose federal funding for charter schools and K-12 vouchers?

A: "Federal involvement has been an expensive failure. Remove distant bureaucracy and return control to people and states. Return that 50 billion dollar annual budget to the states and people to use as they deem appropriate."

No change, he said Monday.

Source: Colorado Politics on 2022 Colorado Senate race Apr 19, 2021

Ron Hanks: I'm fighting for education tax credits for parents

[On school funding]: "I'm fighting for education tax credits for parents putting their kids through school, and with this COVID thing, anything we can get to the parents that have been put out and students is important," he said.
Source: Colorado Politics on 2022 Colorado Senate race Feb 19, 2021

Ryan Frazier: Improve education with local control

We have to improve education with local control and returning tax dollars to the states to invest in students and teachers. Education endures at home.

In Colorado, it costs upwards of $30,000 a year to house and feed an inmate and yet we only invest $6,800 a year per student. Criminal justice reform is needed for our community.

Source: 2016 Colorado Senate campaign website FrazierForColorado.com Feb 3, 2016

Ryan Frazier: Fix the student loan crisis for our college graduates

Fixing the student loan crisis is a matter of great importance to our college graduates. It's also important to America's fiscal and economic future. You shouldn't have to mortgage your future to get a college education.
Source: 2016 Colorado Senate campaign website FrazierForColorado.com Feb 3, 2016

Steve Barlock: Favors home schooling

He strongly supports homeschooling even though his brother is a teacher. "I'm definitely not a teachers' union guy." He likes apprenticeship programs more than specialty trade schools in higher education.
Source: Colorado Independent on 2018 Colorado gubernatorial race Sep 5, 2017

Tim Neville: Choices for parents, from vouchers to charter schools

Source: 2016 Senate campaign website, NevilleForColorado.com Oct 9, 2015

Tim Neville: Abstinence-only instead of comprehensive sex-ed

Last session, the senator sponsored the Parents' Bill of Rights--controversial legislation that, had it passed, would have given parents more control of their children's health care and school curricula at the expense of public standards. Critics feared the bill would further reduce childhood vaccination rates, put a dent in comprehensive sex-ed and deter children from confiding in counselors mandated to report sensitive information to parents. The Denver Post editorial board called the measure "more manifesto than legislation," but vaccine skeptics and abstinence-only Christians hailed it as a much-needed safeguard for personal liberty in the public sphere.
Source: The Colorado Independent on 2016 Colorado Senate race Sep 8, 2015

Tom Strickland: Expand Head Start program for underprivileged kids

Strickland supports proven programs like Head Start that help underprivileged kids have a chance in life. Research has proven that the early years in a children's life are the most formative. By giving kids a chance early on, this will help decrease the learning gaps that grow exponentially as they get older. Strickland will work to expand Head Start.
Source: StricklandForColorado.com, "Issues: Children and Family" Sep 25, 2002

Tom Tancredo: Tax credits for private school tuition

Tancredo served in Congress for 10 years and ran for president in 2008 to draw attention to his crusade to crack down on illegal immigration. In 2010, he entered the chaotic election for Colorado governor as a member of the American Constitution Party and finished ahead of the Republican candidate, political neophyte Dan Maes.

He supports tax credits for private school tuition and cutting government jobs, and he opposes the gun-control bills Hickenlooper signed last year.

Source: Durango Herald on 2014 Colorado gubernatorial race Jan 4, 2014

Victor Mitchell: Don't boost No education spending via tax increases

The 51-year-old from Castle Rock served one two-year term in the state House in 2007 and led a successful effort to defeat a 2011 ballot measure to increase taxes to boost education spending. Instead of political experience, Mitchell's campaign is emphasizing his career as an entrepreneur who turned around failing businesses.

"I think people really want an outsider, somebody that knows how to fix things and problem solve in a meaningful way," Mitchell said.

Source: Denver Post on 2018 Colorado Gubernatorial race Feb 13, 2017

Victor Mitchell: Lower the cost of college

His top issues include lowering the cost of college, promoting patient-centered health care and helping "people earn more money."

A former House GOP colleague called Mitchell "an independent thinker" who "didn't let party get in the way of getting some things done."

Source: Denver Post on 2018 Colorado Gubernatorial race Feb 13, 2017

Victor Mitchell: College need to become more affordable in Colorado

Today it's up to $30,000 a year for an in state kid to go to CU. Almost half of that is housing alone. They're ripping our families off, they're ripping these kids off. We need to be doing much better, we need to be lowering the cost of tuition most especially on STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics programs].

We need degrees in STEM; we need to make them as affordable as possible for students. We need to encourage them and we need a greater emphasis on remediation.

Source: 2018 Colorado Gubernatorial campaign website vic4gov.com Jul 2, 2017

Victor Mitchell: Teachers unions are enemies of Colorado

While Mitchell spoke of working with Democrats, he could not name a way in which he might compromise on his deeply held conservative convictions on taxes and schools. He said he loves the Taxpayer's Bill of Rights, a favorite constitutional amendment of conservatives that liberals say hurts funding for schools & other public needs.

Asked about his over policies on education, he began, "Job No. 1 we need to call out the public teachers unions for what they are, which is the enemy of the state."

Source: Colorado Gazette on 2018 Colorado Gubernatorial race Feb 14, 2017

Victor Mitchell: Supports vouchers and school choice

Mitchell said he strongly supports school choice, from charter schools to vouchers, as well as an expanded school year and a curriculum that rigorously focuses on science, technology, engineering, math and civics.

He also thinks teachers should be paid based on performance. "There's no legitimate purpose for public teachers unions," Mitchell said. "All they do is promote mediocrity into our public schools, and they protect a failed system."

Source: Colorado Gazette on 2018 Colorado Gubernatorial race Feb 14, 2017

Victor Mitchell: Opposed to science-based sex education in schools

HB1292: Requires school districts, family resource centers, and teen pregnancy prevention programs that offer instruction regarding human sexuality to adopt science-based content standards for such instruction.

Summary by the Colorado ACLU: This bill sets science-based content standards for public school districts that offer classes on sexual education. It also requires teen-pregnancy-prevention programs and drop-out-prevention programs that offer instruction on human sexuality to offer comparable curricula. This bill works to guarantee that students receive education on human sexuality that is supported by scientific evidence. This information will help them better understand and make informed decisions about human sexuality.

Legislative outcome:Passed House 39-26-0, on Feb/28/07; Rep. Victor Mitchell voted NO; Passed Senate 34-0-1, on Apr/5/07Signed by Gov. Bill Ritter on May/14/07.

Source: ACLU-CO on Colorado legislative voting records: HB1292 Feb 28, 2007

Walker Stapleton: Charter schools give low-cost, high quality education choice

Education is an investment not only in our children, but in the future. Unfortunately, we have far too many students who have become trapped in failing schools. Only 1 in 4 students graduate fully prepared for college or the workforce. I will fight for the right to have access to high-quality education. Expanding school choice is a critical component of this effort. Charter schools provide a low-cost, high-quality education that serves a more diverse student body than traditional public schools.
Source: 2018 gubernatorial campaign website StapletonForColorado.com Jun 23, 2018

Walker Stapleton: More charters, school choice, & education savings accounts

Colorado Politics managed an early look at Walker Stapleton's plan to put "more money in our classrooms and more money in parents' pockets where it belongs." He'll do that by cutting administration costs, creating annual sales tax holidays on back-to-school shopping and providing tax-free education savings accounts for parents.

As Stapleton has said throughout his candidacy, he remains a proponent of school choice, namely charter schools. "It's up to the next governor to make sure our classrooms are adequately funded and parents have more choices when it comes to their child's education," Stapleton said in a statement. "I'm confident my proposals will help hardworking Colorado families and, most importantly, help our students succeed."

His savings plan proposal would allow parents to save for education expenses, "including early childhood education, music lessons, tutoring services, and career and technical educational programs," according to the platform plank.

Source: Colorado Springs Gazette on 2018 Colorado gubernatorial race Aug 31, 2018

Walker Stapleton: Transfer funds from bloated administration to teachers

Stapleton's campaign pointed to Colorado Department of Education data from 2011 to 2017 showing enrollment grew by 6.3 percent and faculty grew by 8.1 percent, but administration grew by a whopping 34.6 percent. Stapleton plans to take money spent on bloated administration and redirect those dollars to teachers' pay.

"In order to retain the best teachers in the country, we should be using our education dollars to pay our teachers and get more money into classrooms to help students succeed," said Stapleton. "This can be done with existing funds if we increase transparency in the budgeting process and direct dollars to the teachers and the classrooms where they belong."

Stapleton called it "commonsense policy" to cut a tax break to parents' spending on education.

Source: Colorado Springs Gazette on 2018 Colorado gubernatorial race Aug 31, 2018

Walker Stapleton: Supports school choice: $10,000 to follow student anywhere

Q: Increase funding for K-12 education?

Jared Polis (D): Yes. Advocates for increased across-the-board funding and preschool for all. Has also supported related levies and bonds and will continue to do so.

Walker Stapleton (R): Yes. But "it is critical to ensure that these dollars actually make it into the classroom."

Q: Support recent teachers' strikes?

Polis: Yes. Stop underpaying teachers, "instead of criminalizing [their] right to.demand fair compensation."

Stapleton: Unknown.

Q: Education: Support providing vouchers or tax breaks to parents to send their children to private schools with public money?

Polis: "I've voted against vouchers every time they've come up in Congress. I don't support diverting funds from public schools to private schools. Period."

Stapleton: Yes. Advocates "school choice" and believes "each student that gets . $10,000 in funding should take that money .& .do whatever they want."

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Colorado Governor race Oct 9, 2018

William Owens: Teacher merit pay; student standards; smaller class sizes

Because we have demanded excellence, Colorado's teachers are today preparing our children to reach the highest academic standards in history. I have proposed teacher pay incentives that would reward exemplary teachers with merit pay bonuses, while offering recruitment bonuses to encourage our best teachers to teach in challenged schools.

On the critical issue of reducing class size, [I propose] that, over the next decade, schools use new funding first to reduce K-3 class size to 17 students.

Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Colorado legislature Jan 11, 2001

Jared Polis: Ensure access to career-connected learning in high schools

Let's ensure that every student has access to career-connected learning while they are in high school and let's reward those schools that are doing more to help their students succeed in the workforce and in life! Whether it's dual and concurrent enrollment, career and technical education, work-based learning and apprenticeship, or even receiving an industry certification or associate's degree.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Colorado legislature Jan 17, 2023

  • The above quotations are from State of Colorado Politicians: Archives.
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2016 Presidential contenders on Education:
  Republicans:
Gov.Jeb Bush(FL)
Dr.Ben Carson(MD)
Gov.Chris Christie(NJ)
Sen.Ted Cruz(TX)
Carly Fiorina(CA)
Gov.Jim Gilmore(VA)
Sen.Lindsey Graham(SC)
Gov.Mike Huckabee(AR)
Gov.Bobby Jindal(LA)
Gov.John Kasich(OH)
Gov.Sarah Palin(AK)
Gov.George Pataki(NY)
Sen.Rand Paul(KY)
Gov.Rick Perry(TX)
Sen.Rob Portman(OH)
Sen.Marco Rubio(FL)
Sen.Rick Santorum(PA)
Donald Trump(NY)
Gov.Scott Walker(WI) 		Democrats:
Gov.Lincoln Chafee(RI)
Secy.Hillary Clinton(NY)
V.P.Joe Biden(DE)
Gov.Martin O`Malley(MD)
Sen.Bernie Sanders(VT)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren(MA)
Sen.Jim Webb(VA)

2016 Third Party Candidates:
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Roseanne Barr(PF-HI)
Robert Steele(L-NY)
Dr.Jill Stein(G,MA)
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Page last updated: Feb 18, 2023