would enshrine in the Colorado Constitution a right already guaranteed under state law: that children can apply to attend any public school in Colorado.
This is known as .
But whether Amendment 80 would have other effects is disputed by various groups, and .
Supporters say Amendment 80 is about protecting the right to school choice. Opponents say Amendment 80 could lead to the funding of private schools with public money.
Under Colorado rules for amending the constitution, Amendment 80 needs 55% of the vote to pass on Election Day Nov. 5, not just a simple majority.
What would Colorado鈥檚 Amendment 80 do?
Amendment 80 says each child in K-12 鈥渉as the right to school choice.鈥�
Amendment 80 would effectively expand the definition of school choice to include private schools and home schools, among other types of schooling.
Colorado鈥檚 current school choice law applies only to public schools, which include neighborhood schools run by school districts and independently run, publicly funded charter schools.
Amendment 80 defines school choice as including neighborhood schools, charter schools, private schools, home schools, open enrollment options, and 鈥渇uture innovations in education.鈥�
State law already allows parents to choose home schools or private schools. Amendment 80 would add to the state constitution that 鈥減arents have the right to direct the education of their children鈥� and that 鈥渁ll children have the right to equal opportunity to access a quality education.鈥�
Amendment 80 would not immediately change state law. But it could affect future state laws or school district policies. Amendment 80 could also end up in court, with a judge deciding how it should be interpreted. That interpretation could lead to changes in state law or local policy.
Who supports Colorado鈥檚 Amendment 80, and why?
Amendment 80 was proposed by Advance Colorado, a conservative advocacy organization.
鈥淭his says, 鈥楬ey, as a family, we trust you to make the best education choice for your child,鈥欌�� Kristi Burton Brown, the executive vice president at Advance Colorado, .
Burton Brown said the rights already guaranteed by state law 鈥渁re being attacked by people in power.鈥� She cited a bill introduced by Democratic state lawmakers earlier this year that would have given school districts more control over charter schools. .
Burton Brown is the former chair of the Colorado Republican Party who joined Advance Colorado in 2023. In 2008, she proposed an amendment to the state constitution that would have defined a person as 鈥渁ny human being from the moment of fertilization.鈥� It was defeated. Burton Brown is currently .
Other organizations supporting Amendment 80 include the , the , the , , and the , among others.
Advance Colorado also proposed Proposition 128, which would increase prison time before parole eligibility, and Proposition 130, which would increase funding for law enforcement, on this year鈥檚 ballot.
Who opposes Colorado鈥檚 Amendment 80, and why?
Amendment 80 is opposed by the , the , the , the Colorado PTA, the Colorado Association of School Executives, individual school districts including Aspen School District, and . Denver Mayor Mike Johnston also opposes it.
The statewide teachers union claims Amendment 80 is a 鈥渨olf in sheep鈥檚 clothing鈥� that would lead to vouchers that use public money to pay tuition at private schools. The union says voucher programs in other states, such as Arizona, .
鈥淭hey鈥檙e using the innocuous word of 鈥榗hoice鈥� as a vehicle for what opens the door clearly for a voucher scheme,鈥� Kevin Vick, president of the Colorado Education Association, .
Christian Home Educators of Colorado opposes Amendment 80 for a different reason. In , the organization said Amendment 80 because it bestows the right to school choice on the child, not the parent.
The Colorado Republican Party did not take a stance on Amendment 80 in . The Colorado League of Charter Schools decided not to take a position on Amendment 80, a spokesperson said. And Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat who founded charter schools, .
is the bureau chief for Chalkbeat Colorado. Contact Melanie at masmar@chalkbeat.org.