FAQ's

Written by
August 09, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Doesn’t marijuana tax money fully fund Colorado public schools?

A: No, this is a common myth.

  • Marijuana tax revenue accounts for less than 2% of Colorado’s total K–12 budget.

  • By state law, marijuana taxes cannot be used for daily operational costs like teacher salaries, textbooks, or classroom supplies—they are legally restricted to competitive grants for school building repairs and construction.

Q: LPS passed measures in 2018 and 2020—why is more funding needed now?

A: Past voter support was legally restricted to specific, one-time purposes:

  • 2018 Bond: Legally restricted to capital construction, building repairs, ADA accessibility, and safety upgrades.

  • 2020 Measure: Targeted specifically to protect instructional technology and bridge temporary pandemic funding cuts.

  • Neither measure covers ongoing cost increases, smaller class sizes, or competitive teacher salaries required to keep pace with the metro area.

Q: How much of the LPS budget goes to central administration?

A: Less than 2% of our general operating budget goes to central administration. LPS keeps administrative overhead as low as possible and made central office staffing cuts first to keep cuts away from students.

Q: What happens if the Mill Levy Override (MLO) does not pass?

A: If voters do not pass the measure, the temporary cost-cutting measures stay in place, and deeper cuts will be required for the 2027–2028 school year:

  • In the short term (2026–2027 school year): The scheduled employee furlough day (March 19, 2027) and employee wage freezes will remain in place.

  • In the longer term (2027–2028 school year and beyond):

    • Deeper budget & staffing cuts: LPS will have to cut more positions and programs across the district.

    • Minimal pay raises: Pay increases for teachers and staff will be kept to a bare minimum.

    • Loss of top teachers: LPS risks losing high-quality educators to neighboring school districts that offer higher, more competitive pay.

    • Reduced career & academic programs: Students will face fewer career-readiness opportunities, hands-on technical programs, and specialized electives.