Vanguard Law and Policy
@vanguardpolicy.blacksky.app
Website: vanguardlawandpolicy.com
A Lobbying and Lawyer firm that is focused on demystifying politics and putting power back in the hands of the people! Join our lobbying collective, build collective power.
A Lobbying and Lawyer firm that is focused on demystifying politics and putting power back in the hands of the people! Join our lobbying collective, build collective power.
You’re probably thinking of Eminent Domain, but the weirder part of this particular story is that we used to own those buildings!
They were sold, put into a holding company, and then rented back to districts like Denver Public Schools
www.denvergazette.com/2025/05/23/d...
They were sold, put into a holding company, and then rented back to districts like Denver Public Schools
www.denvergazette.com/2025/05/23/d...
Denver Public Schools quietly racks up millions in off-the-books debt
Facebook Twitter WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Denver Public Schools has quietly taken on hundreds of millions of dollars in long-term debt without voter approval — money that could ...
www.denvergazette.com
November 19, 2025 at 10:59 PM
You’re probably thinking of Eminent Domain, but the weirder part of this particular story is that we used to own those buildings!
They were sold, put into a holding company, and then rented back to districts like Denver Public Schools
www.denvergazette.com/2025/05/23/d...
They were sold, put into a holding company, and then rented back to districts like Denver Public Schools
www.denvergazette.com/2025/05/23/d...
And that does it for the Department of Education! plenty to stew on and put into longer-form...
I'll include deeper analysis on our website for lobbying collective members www.vanguardlawandpolicy.com
I'll include deeper analysis on our website for lobbying collective members www.vanguardlawandpolicy.com
The Vanguard Collective
www.vanguardlawandpolicy.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:02 PM
And that does it for the Department of Education! plenty to stew on and put into longer-form...
I'll include deeper analysis on our website for lobbying collective members www.vanguardlawandpolicy.com
I'll include deeper analysis on our website for lobbying collective members www.vanguardlawandpolicy.com
needless to say, public education across the entire country is in disarray. poor facilities, large payments to charter schools, and a lack of ownership of the buildings is driving costs up while not providing a better product for students.
November 19, 2025 at 6:54 PM
needless to say, public education across the entire country is in disarray. poor facilities, large payments to charter schools, and a lack of ownership of the buildings is driving costs up while not providing a better product for students.
Zooming out: #Colorado is generally middle of the road for facilities management overall
the staffer notes that although there are still major issues, we are doing better than other states. Sen. Bridges jokingly states "is that really the standard" and some nervous laughs fill the room.
the staffer notes that although there are still major issues, we are doing better than other states. Sen. Bridges jokingly states "is that really the standard" and some nervous laughs fill the room.
November 19, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Zooming out: #Colorado is generally middle of the road for facilities management overall
the staffer notes that although there are still major issues, we are doing better than other states. Sen. Bridges jokingly states "is that really the standard" and some nervous laughs fill the room.
the staffer notes that although there are still major issues, we are doing better than other states. Sen. Bridges jokingly states "is that really the standard" and some nervous laughs fill the room.
Looking to the horizon, the JBC staff notes that Charter Schools will face a funding cliff for facility assistance funds from $50M in FY28-29, to $35M in FY29-30.
legislators will have to choose if they want to let charter schools deal with the funding loss, or to increase funding to maintain funds
legislators will have to choose if they want to let charter schools deal with the funding loss, or to increase funding to maintain funds
November 19, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Looking to the horizon, the JBC staff notes that Charter Schools will face a funding cliff for facility assistance funds from $50M in FY28-29, to $35M in FY29-30.
legislators will have to choose if they want to let charter schools deal with the funding loss, or to increase funding to maintain funds
legislators will have to choose if they want to let charter schools deal with the funding loss, or to increase funding to maintain funds
another dirty secret in Public Schools: we don't own all our own buildings.
the FY25-26 projections estimate that #Colorado will pay $75M in lease payments for *public* schools.
the FY25-26 projections estimate that #Colorado will pay $75M in lease payments for *public* schools.
November 19, 2025 at 6:33 PM
another dirty secret in Public Schools: we don't own all our own buildings.
the FY25-26 projections estimate that #Colorado will pay $75M in lease payments for *public* schools.
the FY25-26 projections estimate that #Colorado will pay $75M in lease payments for *public* schools.
To put the private entity getting public money issue into perspective, just cutting Charter Schools out of this public money you could almost cover 1/8th of next year's estimated budget deficit.
ONE industry getting cut
ONE industry getting cut
November 19, 2025 at 6:28 PM
To put the private entity getting public money issue into perspective, just cutting Charter Schools out of this public money you could almost cover 1/8th of next year's estimated budget deficit.
ONE industry getting cut
ONE industry getting cut
The funding sources here are complex, but there are roughly 3 main sources:
1) State Land Board Revenue (Oil+Gas) = $40M
2) Permanent Fund interest = $42.3M last year
3) Marijuana Cash Tax Fund = first $40M that the tax generates
Charter Schools get a cut of this money too ($28.5M last year)
1) State Land Board Revenue (Oil+Gas) = $40M
2) Permanent Fund interest = $42.3M last year
3) Marijuana Cash Tax Fund = first $40M that the tax generates
Charter Schools get a cut of this money too ($28.5M last year)
November 19, 2025 at 6:27 PM
The funding sources here are complex, but there are roughly 3 main sources:
1) State Land Board Revenue (Oil+Gas) = $40M
2) Permanent Fund interest = $42.3M last year
3) Marijuana Cash Tax Fund = first $40M that the tax generates
Charter Schools get a cut of this money too ($28.5M last year)
1) State Land Board Revenue (Oil+Gas) = $40M
2) Permanent Fund interest = $42.3M last year
3) Marijuana Cash Tax Fund = first $40M that the tax generates
Charter Schools get a cut of this money too ($28.5M last year)
Final topic, the state's Building Excellent Schools Today grant (BEST)
Helps to build new schools in districts by matching funds. the matching threshold is different for each district (so Boulder must put more than say, Grand Junction)
since 2008, BEST awarded over $3B to districts
Helps to build new schools in districts by matching funds. the matching threshold is different for each district (so Boulder must put more than say, Grand Junction)
since 2008, BEST awarded over $3B to districts
November 19, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Final topic, the state's Building Excellent Schools Today grant (BEST)
Helps to build new schools in districts by matching funds. the matching threshold is different for each district (so Boulder must put more than say, Grand Junction)
since 2008, BEST awarded over $3B to districts
Helps to build new schools in districts by matching funds. the matching threshold is different for each district (so Boulder must put more than say, Grand Junction)
since 2008, BEST awarded over $3B to districts
an example: some charter schools are getting an extra $3-4,000 *per student* because of this policy and it is happening because local government is raising funds for their public schools, and the state is forced to match that.
local gov can do what it wants, the state is just along for the ride.
local gov can do what it wants, the state is just along for the ride.
November 19, 2025 at 6:14 PM
an example: some charter schools are getting an extra $3-4,000 *per student* because of this policy and it is happening because local government is raising funds for their public schools, and the state is forced to match that.
local gov can do what it wants, the state is just along for the ride.
local gov can do what it wants, the state is just along for the ride.
The JBC staffer presenting this briefing notes that this policy "makes no sense to me" and here's why: state money is going to private entities and the state currently *can't* say no.
Charters want money, local districts don't want to pay, and legislators note they have "no control" over them.
Charters want money, local districts don't want to pay, and legislators note they have "no control" over them.
November 19, 2025 at 6:10 PM
The JBC staffer presenting this briefing notes that this policy "makes no sense to me" and here's why: state money is going to private entities and the state currently *can't* say no.
Charters want money, local districts don't want to pay, and legislators note they have "no control" over them.
Charters want money, local districts don't want to pay, and legislators note they have "no control" over them.
The suggestion is to make the program subject to appropriation and only adding funds as they're available (which they currently aren't)
Current funding for Charter Schools? $53.6M ($27.2M from General Fund and $26.4M from State Education Fund)
still "small", but more sizable than prior suggestions
Current funding for Charter Schools? $53.6M ($27.2M from General Fund and $26.4M from State Education Fund)
still "small", but more sizable than prior suggestions
November 19, 2025 at 6:03 PM
The suggestion is to make the program subject to appropriation and only adding funds as they're available (which they currently aren't)
Current funding for Charter Schools? $53.6M ($27.2M from General Fund and $26.4M from State Education Fund)
still "small", but more sizable than prior suggestions
Current funding for Charter Schools? $53.6M ($27.2M from General Fund and $26.4M from State Education Fund)
still "small", but more sizable than prior suggestions
one *big* driver of the budget that can be trimmed is capping Charter School's Mill Levy Equalization.
Currently, the state ensures students in Charter schools receive per pupil funding equal to the district's per pupil funding for public schools (this is public $ to private businesses)
Currently, the state ensures students in Charter schools receive per pupil funding equal to the district's per pupil funding for public schools (this is public $ to private businesses)
November 19, 2025 at 6:03 PM
one *big* driver of the budget that can be trimmed is capping Charter School's Mill Levy Equalization.
Currently, the state ensures students in Charter schools receive per pupil funding equal to the district's per pupil funding for public schools (this is public $ to private businesses)
Currently, the state ensures students in Charter schools receive per pupil funding equal to the district's per pupil funding for public schools (this is public $ to private businesses)
the JBC staff notes that maybe these grants can be streamlined and trimmed into one larger grant, similar to the accountability and workforce bills last year, but gives no direction on which programs can be streamlined or how much to trim.
November 19, 2025 at 5:54 PM
the JBC staff notes that maybe these grants can be streamlined and trimmed into one larger grant, similar to the accountability and workforce bills last year, but gives no direction on which programs can be streamlined or how much to trim.
additional programs are listed off that aren't categorical, but the staff notes that stakeholders have pushed heavily for these programs so they could be politically difficult to implement.
Examples: Dropout prevention, School Leadership Pilot, Menstrual Hygiene Accessibility, Behavioral Health
Examples: Dropout prevention, School Leadership Pilot, Menstrual Hygiene Accessibility, Behavioral Health
November 19, 2025 at 5:52 PM
additional programs are listed off that aren't categorical, but the staff notes that stakeholders have pushed heavily for these programs so they could be politically difficult to implement.
Examples: Dropout prevention, School Leadership Pilot, Menstrual Hygiene Accessibility, Behavioral Health
Examples: Dropout prevention, School Leadership Pilot, Menstrual Hygiene Accessibility, Behavioral Health
another $1.5M that could be returned as one-time refund is for a science professional development program that was initially funded for $3M. The tool was developed for less, so there is $ that can be returned, but it's just a one-time savings.
same with a $3M grant for out-of-school programming
same with a $3M grant for out-of-school programming
November 19, 2025 at 5:49 PM
another $1.5M that could be returned as one-time refund is for a science professional development program that was initially funded for $3M. The tool was developed for less, so there is $ that can be returned, but it's just a one-time savings.
same with a $3M grant for out-of-school programming
same with a $3M grant for out-of-school programming
One cut that is offered up is to eliminate the legacy nutrition programs that the new School Meals program covers. it's about $1.5M in savings (almost nothing) and the staff notes that changes in how the Fed funds school lunch programs could force the state to bring these programs back anyways.
November 19, 2025 at 5:46 PM
One cut that is offered up is to eliminate the legacy nutrition programs that the new School Meals program covers. it's about $1.5M in savings (almost nothing) and the staff notes that changes in how the Fed funds school lunch programs could force the state to bring these programs back anyways.
Another wrinkle with these grants: most of them are categorical programs, which the state constitution mandates the state must increase annually in total by at least inflation.
So a cut in one program means, by law, that the money must go to another categorical program (for example, special ed.)
So a cut in one program means, by law, that the money must go to another categorical program (for example, special ed.)
November 19, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Another wrinkle with these grants: most of them are categorical programs, which the state constitution mandates the state must increase annually in total by at least inflation.
So a cut in one program means, by law, that the money must go to another categorical program (for example, special ed.)
So a cut in one program means, by law, that the money must go to another categorical program (for example, special ed.)
To the legislature's credit, they passed two bills last year to add new accountability measures and workforce preparation standards. The goal is to make the grant program more streamlined, and align the programs to measures that schools are accountable for anyways.
November 19, 2025 at 5:38 PM
To the legislature's credit, they passed two bills last year to add new accountability measures and workforce preparation standards. The goal is to make the grant program more streamlined, and align the programs to measures that schools are accountable for anyways.
for my #Assessment nerds: the Department notes that out of $85M grant opportunities, there was a lack of coherence or review, resulting in fragmented allocation of resources.
1/3rd of education providers didn't even receive any state funded grants because they didn't bother to apply.
1/3rd of education providers didn't even receive any state funded grants because they didn't bother to apply.
November 19, 2025 at 5:38 PM
for my #Assessment nerds: the Department notes that out of $85M grant opportunities, there was a lack of coherence or review, resulting in fragmented allocation of resources.
1/3rd of education providers didn't even receive any state funded grants because they didn't bother to apply.
1/3rd of education providers didn't even receive any state funded grants because they didn't bother to apply.
as the briefing document notes "While there is still some room for trimming, many of the more obvious options for cuts have already been accessed."
even the JBC staff notes that further cuts could lessen the "minimal steering" that the state currently has on school districts.
even the JBC staff notes that further cuts could lessen the "minimal steering" that the state currently has on school districts.
November 19, 2025 at 5:31 PM
as the briefing document notes "While there is still some room for trimming, many of the more obvious options for cuts have already been accessed."
even the JBC staff notes that further cuts could lessen the "minimal steering" that the state currently has on school districts.
even the JBC staff notes that further cuts could lessen the "minimal steering" that the state currently has on school districts.
Although the State Ed Fund has gotten more money from FY2018-19 to now, inflation has eaten about 3.9% of it so we're actually funding less compared to 2018-19.
we've also cut a variety of grants already (K-5 Social Emotional learning, tutoring, bullying prevention, to name 3)
we've also cut a variety of grants already (K-5 Social Emotional learning, tutoring, bullying prevention, to name 3)
November 19, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Although the State Ed Fund has gotten more money from FY2018-19 to now, inflation has eaten about 3.9% of it so we're actually funding less compared to 2018-19.
we've also cut a variety of grants already (K-5 Social Emotional learning, tutoring, bullying prevention, to name 3)
we've also cut a variety of grants already (K-5 Social Emotional learning, tutoring, bullying prevention, to name 3)
we're moving on to options to reduce the budgetary costs
turns out, when you don't include K-12 funding your wiggle room in Education is tiny (.7% to be precise)
turns out, when you don't include K-12 funding your wiggle room in Education is tiny (.7% to be precise)
November 19, 2025 at 5:25 PM
we're moving on to options to reduce the budgetary costs
turns out, when you don't include K-12 funding your wiggle room in Education is tiny (.7% to be precise)
turns out, when you don't include K-12 funding your wiggle room in Education is tiny (.7% to be precise)
JBC being advised because of these risks that the first few years of this excess money should go to repaying the state for appropriations made to the program in FY23/24 and 24/25
Rep. Taggart asks if this money can also be used to repay a $10M appropriation made for Food Banks during the shutdown
Rep. Taggart asks if this money can also be used to repay a $10M appropriation made for Food Banks during the shutdown
November 19, 2025 at 5:09 PM
JBC being advised because of these risks that the first few years of this excess money should go to repaying the state for appropriations made to the program in FY23/24 and 24/25
Rep. Taggart asks if this money can also be used to repay a $10M appropriation made for Food Banks during the shutdown
Rep. Taggart asks if this money can also be used to repay a $10M appropriation made for Food Banks during the shutdown
3) even without threshold changes, we know the incoming Medicaid/SNAP eligibility changes could mean some schools drop below the 25% threshold, shifting costs to the state and minimizing federal support.
The $100M reserve can quickly evaporate if certain tweaks are made by the fed.
The $100M reserve can quickly evaporate if certain tweaks are made by the fed.
November 19, 2025 at 5:04 PM
3) even without threshold changes, we know the incoming Medicaid/SNAP eligibility changes could mean some schools drop below the 25% threshold, shifting costs to the state and minimizing federal support.
The $100M reserve can quickly evaporate if certain tweaks are made by the fed.
The $100M reserve can quickly evaporate if certain tweaks are made by the fed.