School Finance Act

In Colorado, education is primarily funded through the School Finance Act. This law outlines that school districts receive a set amount of funding per student, or what’s called Per Pupil Revenue. This is our district’s main source of funding, accounting for approximately 90% of our General Fund revenue.

We anticipate receiving $10,791 per student for the 2024 - 2025 school year. Of the 178 school districts, we are one of the eight least funded districts in the state for Per Pupil Revenue or what's called "floor funded."

How is Per Pupil Revenue Calculated?

Per Pupil Revenue is based on a calculation determined by the state legislature. Each year, the legislature sets the base amount all districts receive, and then there are additions based on our district’s cost of living, personnel costs, size, and number of at-risk, online, and / or ASCENT students. Learn More

How is Per Pupil Revenue Funded?

Per Pupil Revenue is funded through two sources: 1) local property taxes at the maximum 27 mills and 2) state revenue. Whatever portion of the state-determined Per Pupil Revenue our local property taxes don’t cover, the state provides the additional funding. As our assessed values grow, the local funding source provides more and the state side provides less. The total funding received does not change.

The Colorado Legislature passed SB 24-188 and HB 24-1448 at the end of the 2024 session, which included a new school finance formula that goes into effect for 2025 - 2026. While this is a step in the right direction, it does not address inadequacies in Per Pupil base funding. Our Finance Team is working to understand the comprehensive impact on our financial future. We will share more in the coming months.

Financial Transparency

As stewards of taxpayer investment, transparency and accountability are important to us.

In accordance with the Colorado Public School Financial Transparency Act, our budget, audit reports, salary schedules, and more can be found on our Financial Transparency page.

Each quarter the Board of Education receives updated financial reports, which are posted with the agenda and are publicly available on our website.

Last, but certainly not least, each year our annual budget is prepared with and approved by our Board of Education in work sessions and regular meetings. Typically, this process begins in the spring and is approved in June. Meetings are open to the public, both in person and via livestream. Learn more on the Board of Education page.

Developer Impact Fees

New housing developments in our district must provide land for a school location, pay a cash-in-lieu fee to help offset the growth, or both. The amount of land or fee is determined by a calculation, as outlined in Intergovernmental Agreements (IGAs) with our local municipalities.

Currently, the fee amount is set at $2,916 per single-family home. Changes to the calculation or fee amount can only be implemented through updates to the IGAs with each municipality and approvals by their respective governing boards. The funding received can only be used to purchase or prepare school sites. Revenue to build, operate, and maintain new schools is dependent upon taxpayer-approved funding.

Additional Funding Mechanisms

To address needs beyond what is provided by Per Pupil Revenue, there are two primary funding mechanisms available to school districts:

  1. Bonds - Typically used to fund capital projects (school construction). Bonds have a set payback period, similar to a home loan.

  2. Mill Levy Overrides - Typically used to fund operations (teacher salaries, operational costs, etc.). Mill levy overrides can be for a set period of time (sunset) or ongoing.

Both bonds and mill levy overrides are funding mechanisms supported by property taxes within our district boundaries, and require taxpayer approval to implement.

Budget Stabilization Factor

As a result of the Great Recession, the state legislature created the State Budget Stabilization Factor or the Negative Factor. This factor reduces the amount of funding school districts receive, as outlined by law, as a way to “balance” the state budget. In total, our district has lost $64.2 million in funding since the Budget Stabilization Factor went into effect.

The 2024 - 2025 school year is the first year we have not seen a reduction in our funding due to the Budget Stabilization Factor. With SB 24-188 and HB24-1448, the Budget Stabilization factor has been eliminated. However, there are no plans in the legislature to replace the lost funding from the last decade.

PROPERTY TAXES & VALUATIONS

How Are Property Taxes Calculated?

Property taxes are determined by using the following calculation:

Actual Value x Assessment Rate = Assessed Value 

Assessed Value x Tax Rate (Mills) = Taxes Owed 

Note: Property values are revalued in odd years.

What Is a “mill”?

A “mill” is equal to one dollar per $1,000 of assessed value. 

Why Would the Mill Amount Reduce?

If a school district asks for a fixed number of mills, the actual funding it receives will increase if property values increase. Voters approved a dollar amount for the 2022 Bond and mill levy override, not a fixed number of mills. This means that we will receive the same funding through the 2022 Bond and mill levy override as originally requested, and the bottom line impact to tax payers is less than anticipated due to the increase in property values and growth of the area. 

What Will My Property Tax Impact Be in 2024?

It is projected that our district’s assessed valuations will increase due to the Oil & Gas industry. As a result, the number of mills (and a property owner’s investment in our district) will decrease from 50.879 in 2023 to 44.382 in 2024.