by Colleen Enos (CHEC Director of Government Relations)

While Colorado continues to grapple with an increasing budget shortfall of approximately 1.2 billion dollars due most recently to Medicaid costs, legislators are busy prioritizing the violation of medical parental rights and, along with it, the safety of our children.

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by Colleen Enos (CHEC Director of Government Relations)

The State of Colorado is contesting the federal funding freeze from the Trump administration on federal assistance to colleges, hospitals, and the state. While the new administration is reviewing programs to ensure that they comport with their values and exclude fraud and abuse, Colorado wants to make sure it does not have to finance its own Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI)  programs. The gravy train for Colorado has been estimated at over $570 million dollars.

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by Colleen Enos (CHEC Director of Government Relations)

While there was much controversy going on at the Capitol over the past two weeks, I wanted to start out with a bright spot. Meet Your Legislator Day was a smashing success, with 12 legislators and several aides joining CHEC and homeschool families for coffee and donuts in the West Foyer at 8:00 am. The weather was challenging, but we still had a great time getting to know the legislators, taking pictures, and even getting a guided tour of the Dome thanks to Representative Anthony Hartsook! Building relationships is worth the time and effort, so thanks to everyone who came.

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by Colleen Enos (CHEC Director of Government Relations)

While the state is trying to balance the budget by cutting approximately $1 billion in spending, Colorado’s baseline funding for schools must increase every year by at least the rate of inflation according to the previously passed Amendment 23. During the SMART Act hearings for the combined Senate and House Education Committee, Senator Lundeen asked a salient question regarding per pupil funding: “Is money the solution?” He pointed to the ranking of the United States in student test scores, which is currently below the world average, according to The Balance last July. Of course, home educators know that the answer to this question is no. We have been educating our children with dedication and love, and receiving student results far above those of the average public school-educated student for years.

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by Colleen Enos (CHEC Director of Government Relations)

As the 2025 legislative session was gaveled in, the newly elected and returning legislators faced a daunting task: balancing the Colorado budget with a nearly one-billion-dollar deficit. Governor Polis laid out a plan to address the deficit in a variety of ways, including funding adjustments to Medicaid and the Department of Education, and privatizing the Public Employee Retirement Association. This is a hard pill to swallow for a Democrat-majority legislature that believes in an ever-expanding government and regulatory system. However, many opening speeches included a reaffirmation of Colorado’s commitment to opposing President Trump’s immigration stance and supporting the funding of illegal immigrants’ needs, to the tune of $356 million in Denver alone last year.

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