Denver Families for Public Schools (Denver Families) announced its opposition to Amendment 80, a measure appearing on Colorado’s ballot. The announcement follows a community-informed endorsement process during which Denver Families looked to DPS families, educators, graduates, and community members for their input.
Denver Families is committed to public school choice, firmly believing that every student has the right to an exceptional public education and that families should have the freedom to choose the best learning environment for their child. For three decades, Colorado state law has protected this right through the Public Schools of Choice law. Amendment 80 conflicts with these values by unnecessarily risking the diversion of public funds away from public schools, undermining the very foundation of equitable access to quality public education.
“We fully support school choice for all forms of public schools—whether traditional, charter, or innovation,” said Clarence Burton Jr., CEO of Denver Families. “Amendment 80 threatens to undermine access to quality public education at a time when our community is calling for greater investment in students and educators”.
Denver Families recently completed a two-year listening campaign, during which it engaged with tens of thousands of Denverites, gathering their insights, concerns, and hopes for the future of public education. Funding for public education emerged as one of the top issues. Amendment 80 stands in direct contrast to these concerns and potentially paves the way for private voucher programs which would divert funding from our public schools, a policy opposed by Denver Families for Public Schools.
“As a community, we should be focused on improving the quality of public schools, ensuring that every student has access to great public school options in their neighborhood,” Burton said. “We support public school choice because families have told us they need great public options, offering different models to meet the diverse needs of students. This is especially important for communities that have been furthest from educational justice, and it’s already safeguarded by state law. Amendment 80 is an unnecessary measure that risks causing long-term harm to the choice system that serves the majority of Denver’s students.”
