Join Chalkbeat Colorado for our annual education-focused legislative preview

Chalkbeat Colorado will hold its annual 2026 Legislative Preview on Thursday. (Caroline Bauman / Chalkbeat)

Sign up for Chalkbeat Colorado’s free daily newsletter to get the latest reporting from us, plus curated news from other Colorado outlets, delivered to your inbox.

How will another year of Colorado budget shortfalls affect education spending? What actions will lawmakers take in response to Trump administration policies? And how will state lawmakers react to the creation of a public religious school?

We will focus on these issues and more during our annual discussion of key education topics likely to surface during the upcoming Colorado legislative session.

You can join Chalkbeat Colorado’s 2026 Legislative Preview virtually on Zoom from noon to 1:30 p.m. MT on Thursday. To register, visit our Eventbrite page. This is a ticketed event with a suggested donation of $25.

Last year’s conversation with lawmakers focused on the state’s budget challenges and the impact of the Trump administration on Colorado schools, as well as how to keep educators in the teaching profession.

This year, we also expect to ask lawmakers about early education, workforce development, and school safety issues. We will be joined by:

  • Sen. Janice Marchman, a Loveland Democrat
  • Sen. Scott Bright, a Platteville Republican
  • Rep. Meghan Lukens, a Steamboat Springs Democrat
  • Rep. Matthew Martinez, a Monte Vista Democrat
  • Rep. Lori Garcia Sander, an Eaton Republican

The event is sponsored by the Colorado Education Association and co-moderated by Young Invincibles.

While this is a ticketed event, we don’t want price to be a barrier. You can give just $1. Or if you are able, you can donate more than the suggested amount to support our work. Chalkbeat Colorado is a nonprofit organization, and we rely on public support to provide essential and independent education coverage.

Jason Gonzales is a reporter covering higher education and the Colorado legislature. Chalkbeat Colorado partners with Open Campus on higher education coverage. Contact Jason at jgonzales@chalkbeat.org.

The Latest

State Sen. John Liu suggested the city could phase in smaller class sizes over four years instead of two. Any changes to the 2022 mandate are likely to spark debate in Albany.

The announcement at a Tuesday meeting comes as substantial changes for IPS are on the horizon that will dilute the elected school board’s power.

Supporters framed the bill as a money-saver for families. “I’m raising two daughters right now, and I think every $5 you can keep in your pocket is important,” one state lawmaker said.

College advisers said students with undocumented family members are fearful of filling out the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid. The state also has lost a FAFSA data tool that made tracking student progress on the form easier.

Democrats hold the majority on the board, and they argued that the board should stay focused on key education issues such as literacy.

Sherrill’s first budget proposes more than $13.8 billion to education with record funding for K-12 and preschool aid, expanded high-impact tutoring, and new mental health services timed to the state’s first year of phone-free schools.