The budget proposal preserves education funding, invests in public safety, and makes government more efficient while protecting Colorado’s financial future

DENVER - On November 13, 2024, Governor Polis presented the administration’s FY 2025-26 budget proposal to the Joint Budget Committee for consideration. Governor Polis has presented a budget that protects investments in education and public safety while balancing a strained budgetary environment.

“This balanced budget proposal secures Colorado’s full education funding, makes Colorado safer and protects Colorado’s future all while remaining fiscally responsible. This budget will help us build on our work while ensuring our state is prepared for any rainy days ahead,” said Governor Polis.

This budget proposal continues to invest in proven strategies to make Colorado one of the ten safest states and provide students and teachers with the resources needed to succeed including:

- $15.0 million to support and sustain Colorado’s emergency and operational communications dispatching system, which is used by 90 percent of the state’s first responders. This will help first responders do their jobs effectively.
- $7.6 million to expand capacity at the Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Fort Logan for competency restoration, which will accommodate more individuals in the criminal
- $6.1 million for Community Corrections to expand the capacity at facilities often called “halfway houses,” which are an effective and less expensive alternative to traditional incarceration facilities.justice system to gain competency and proceed to trial more quickly.
- $3.4 million to the Crime Prevention Through Safer Streets program. This grant program supports local governments and law enforcement entities in making physical infrastructure and security improvements like improved lighting, which can reduce crime and make neighborhoods safer.
- $1.7 million to increase the bed cap for youth detention to reflect increasing demands  across the state and provide more services for at-risk youth.
- $115 million from the General Fund to bolster Total Program funding for education in an effort to preserve a significant balance in the State Education Fund to ensure the state never has to go back to a Budget Stabilization Factor.
- $13.5 million in categorical funding to specific groups of students and student needs, including special education, transportation, English language proficiency, and career and technical education.
- $3.4 million in repurposed funding to provide greater support to young students with reading deficiencies (K-3) using evidence-based interventions.

Since taking office in 2019 Governor Polis has delivered on the issues that Coloradans care about most. Colorado passed Free full-day kindergarten and Universal Free Preschool, saving families $6,000 or more on childhood education each year. Governor Polis signed the landmark Colorado Option and Reinsurance that saves Coloradans hundreds of millions on healthcare premiums and plans each year. Governor Polis has signed legislation to build more housing near bus and train stops, invest millions into public transit, move Colorado to 100% clean energy, and protect our clean air.