Jason Gonzales, Chalkbeat Colorado

There are several big education issues Colorado will face in 2026 including finding funding amid a budget crunch, and evolving policies around cell phones in schools.

Chalkbeat Colorado shares a few of the educational topics they plan to follow and cover in the new year.

Angie Paccione has led the Colorado Department of Higher Education as its executive director since 2019, when Gov. Jared Polis took office. Colorado’s higher education department provides support to campuses and develops statewide policies.

After the deadly shooting of Charlie Kirk, some Colorado college students are trying to balance debate with the possibility of violence.

The money comes as part of the governor’s proposal that includes a small budget increase for the state’s universal preschool program.

The federal government provided Colorado more than $6 million annually to use on educational programs like the one offered in the 600-student school district located in the San Luis Valley.

If passed, Proposition MM would raise up to $95-million toward providing free breakfast and lunch to students.

Colorado does not have any HBCUs or tribal colleges. It has 14 public MSIs, six of which receive federal grant funding. The decision means schools won’t get the money promised to them starting in October.

Kiran Herz and Jaiden Hwang, two high school seniors from Colorado, are advocating for a law that would guarantee automatic admission to state universities for students in the top 10% of their class. They hope to reduce the stress of the college admissions process and make higher education more accessible.

A coalition of liberal groups hope to put a tax reform measure on the November 2026 ballot that could result in significant additional funding for K-12 schools and higher education.