On Thursday, March 20th, students, parents, and faculty from LHS joined thousands of educators, students, and community members at the Colorado State Capitol for the statewide Day of Action. The event, organized by the Colorado Education Association (CEA), was held to protest proposed cuts to public education funding amid the state’s $1 billion budget shortfall.
Wearing red in solidarity, LHS participants joined a sea of demonstrators on the Capitol lawn, calling on lawmakers to prevent further cuts to an already underfunded education system. Colorado currently underfunds its public schools by approximately $4,000 to $4,500 per student per year compared to the national average. With proposed legislative changes that would base per-pupil funding on single-year student counts rather than multi-year averages, schools facing declining enrollment could see even greater budget reductions.
The event featured passionate speeches from educators and lawmakers, urging the state to find alternative solutions to balance the budget without sacrificing education. While Governor Jared Polis has proposed an increase of $138 million in per-pupil funding this year, many districts fear that the revised funding formula will still result in significant financial shortfalls.
State Speaker of the House Julie McCluskie responded to concerns, stating that they are working to ensure that schools receive at least as much funding as they did last year, if not more. However, for many educators and students, the uncertainty surrounding funding remains a pressing issue.
The turnout from LHS demonstrated the school community’s commitment to advocating for quality public education. As legislative discussions continue, students, parents, and faculty alike are urging lawmakers to prioritize schools and ensure that Colorado’s students receive the funding they deserve.
Special thanks to Katje Anthamatten for the photos.
