Election Day in Colorado is June 30! Don't Just Vote—Take Note

Planning to vote in the Democratic primary?

Here is some information to help you vote in the Governor’s race.

The Governor plays a critical role in enacting policies to support and protect our public education system in Colorado. In recent years the current Governor interfered in efforts that A4PEP promoted to ensure that all charter schools were subject to the same transparency and accountability rules as other public schools. In addition, Governor Polis impeded legislative efforts to provide guardrails on the federal tax credit voucher plan which he opted the state into despite voters saying three times they did not want vouchers in Colorado.

We believe the new Governor should be supportive of the values that reflect the needs of students, families, and educators across the state. Our public education system must be funded equitably to ensure that each student achieves to their full potential.

HOW THE CANDIDATES’ GOALS FIT WITH A4PEP’S PRIORITIES

1. Corporate moneyed interests promote privatization, create inequities in funding, and prioritize choice of individuals rather than the public good. 

A4PEP opposes the privatization of schools through corporate charters and vouchers.

Weiser: “I will also oppose any efforts to privatize our system of public education, such as introducing voucher programs. And while I support the state seeking innovative concepts and models to educate students, I will never support privatizing our schools or allowing profit-motives to undermine our kids’ education. And I will support no bill from the legislature that does so. That’s why I firmly opposed Amendment 80  which would have opened the door to vouchers and diverting limited public-school funds to private entities.”

Bennet: There is no reference to opposing privatization in Bennet’s website. The website discusses “partnering with private, philanthropic, and government leaders to raise private funds for a Colorado based initiative that will design innovative education approaches.”

2. The federal tax credit voucher will harm public school funding, enable discrimination, and promote increased use of public money for students to attend private schools. A4PEP opposes any school voucher plan.

Weiser:  “I would opt out of the program. While I welcome any support for education and investing in our kids’ future, I will never support vouchers. That includes any measures that siphon off scarce public K-12 school dollars to benefit private and parochial schools. That’s why I am a “no” here."

Bennet: “Michael does not support private school vouchers or public funds going to private or religious schools. He will not support the program unless Colorado is able to establish guidelines that guarantee that the funds are not used for private or religious programs. However, Michael believes flatly rejecting these funds before final guidance is issued from the treasury could be short sighted and put millions of dollars that could help kids in Colorado at risk.”

3. Increase funding to address student mental health needs of all students. A4PEP supports increased funding to address student social, emotional, and mental health needs.

Both candidates support increased funding for public education, and they both reference the critical importance of student mental health. Weiser has a separate section devoted to this topic on his website.

Weiser: “Address the harms of social media by getting kids off their phones and signing legislation holding social media companies accountable for the harms they cause kids.  Ensure every kid has at least one mentor and the support they need by creating a statewide mentorship program, called HOPE; increasing access to in school mental health professionals and services, including in school screenings; and expanding mental health support through promotion of telehealth and programs like I Matter.” 

Bennet: “Michael will work with school districts and teachers to implement a statewide ban on cellphones in classrooms and keep kids safe online. He will also prioritize funding for community-led efforts that foster supportive environments where kids and parents feel connected to each other, equip schools for crises, and ensure kids have trusted adults to turn to when they need help.”

4. Students thrive when they engage in culturally relevant, meaningful learning experiences which include exposure to science, civics, and the arts and an emphasis on critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity.  The true measures of robust learning must include a well-rounded curriculum for ALL students. A4PEP opposes using standardized testing as the primary measure of student learning.

Neither candidate addressed the harms of standardized testing. Weiser addresses the value of teaching civics, Bennet supports programs to use artificial intelligence effectively, and both candidates place an emphasis on workplace readiness and career preparation.

FUNDING FOR THE GOVERNOR’S RACE

Money plays a large part in how campaigns use resources to pay for TV and digital ads, mailers, and canvassing. Campaign donors also provide a window into the interests, priorities, and policy objectives aligned with a candidate's agenda.

The chart and article below address the money in this campaign:

ARTICLE: 

“How billionaire money could influence Colorado’s Democratic primary election for governor” 

Ballots were mailed on June 8.  Be sure to vote!

_______________________________________________________________________

This information comes from the following sources:

• https://www.a4pep.org/

• https://www.michaelbennet.com/priorities/education/

• https://philforcolorado.com/issue/education/

• https://www.greateducation.org/news/2026/02/voucher-opt-in/

  
  

Please share this message with your neighbors, friends, principals, superintendents, and everyone who cares about public education. Hopefully, the legislature will take action on this critical issue in 2027.