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Denver, CO – Both the Colorado State Senate and House of Representatives today voted to pass the bipartisan FY19-20 Colorado State Budget, which begins on July 1, 2019. Democrats are putting forth a budget that makes historic investments in education and transportation. This budget for all responsibly manages tax-payer dollars, increases per-pupil funding by $327, and secures more than $300 million for transportation funding. In response to the budget’s passage, leaders from both chambers released the following statements:
“This budget is the result of the hard work of our Joint Budget Committee members who reached across the aisle to find common ground so that we were able to make financially responsible investments into healthcare, transportation, education, and so many other priorities,” said Senate President Leroy M. Garcia. “This is what the people of Colorado elected us to do, and I am proud that both chambers decided to put Coloradans ahead of politics to pass this budget with bipartisan support.”
“I thank the members of the JBC for their work on this responsible, bipartisan budget that will help invest in our future, expand opportunity for hardworking people in every corner of our state, and enhance our unique quality of life,” said Speaker KC Becker. “I am glad to see both sides of the aisle come together to agree on a budget that makes historic investments in education, transportation, and higher ed.”
“I am proud of the budget we passed today,” said Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg. “It was clear throughout this process that our JBC members were committed to working in a bipartisan manner to fund our state’s top priorities and address some of the most pressing issues across Colorado.”
“The budget that was put forward is one that I feel all Coloradans can be proud of,” said House Majority Leader Alec Garnett. “This budget makes historic, bipartisan investments in some of our top priorities like full-day kindergarten, education, transportation, and higher education.”
The budget secures $300 million for transportation funding and increases K-12 education funding by $325.9 million dollars, including $175 million dollars to implement full-day kindergarten and an additional $77 million to buy-down the budget stabilization factor. The budget also makes critical investments to help lower the cost of healthcare and help Coloradans achieve greater economic security. The budget also invests $10 million in the water plan and $171 million in capital investments.The FY19-20 Colorado State Budget passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 41-to-22 and passed the Senate by a vote of 25-to-7. For more information about the budget, please visit: https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb19-207.