HB 24-1448: Public School Finance Act of 2025

• Renames the school finance formula from the "Public School Finance Act of 1994" to the "Public School Finance Act of 2025" and modernizes the funding approach for Colorado public schools.

• Introduces a new total program formula (effective 2030-31) that calculates district funding based on foundation funding, at-risk pupils, English language learner pupils, special education pupils, cost of living, locale, size, extended high school, and online enrollment factors.

• Implements a five-year phase-in period (2025-26 through 2029-30) that gradually transitions districts to the new formula, with districts receiving the greater of the old formula plus incremental increases or new formula amounts.

• Prioritizes equity by increasing funding weights for at-risk students (from 25% to 32% for districts with high at-risk populations) and establishing specific funding for special education and English language learner students at 25% of base funding.

• Appropriates $196.8 million total for implementation, including $11.5 million for charter school facilities, $10 million from the state education fund, and adjustments to existing education appropriations for fiscal year 2024-25.