With all the challenges we face in Colorado, it was truly astonishing to see several Denver-area politicians introduce a bill this past legislative session attempting to tear down one of the few things that is working well in our state – our charter school system. Colorado House Bill 24-1363 would have subjected charter schools – including the high-performing ones here in Durango – to death by a thousand cuts.
Fortunately, a large and loud coalition of Coloradans that included the Colorado League of Charter Schools and many families here in Durango made their voices heard, and the bill died in committee.
However, this won’t be the end. The same politicians are sure to aim for charter schools next year in another attempt to weaken them as much as possible. On a positive note, we should celebrate the passage of HB 24-1154, sponsored by state Rep. Barbara McLachlan.
This bill provides statutory clarity inspired by the historic bond measure Mountain Middle School, Animas High School and Durango School District 9-R successfully passed in 2020, and serves as an example for districts throughout the state. “One Community, One Goal” is an example taxpayers can be proud of in Durango. With HB24-1154, many more successful and inclusive bond initiatives with CSI schools will take place throughout the state.
By almost any measure, charter schools are succeeding. In the 30 years since legislation was passed allowing charter schools in our state, their growth has been steady, and the education outcomes have been impressive. Today, approximately 135,000 students in Colorado are enrolled in 261 charter schools.
For comparison, the largest school district in the state – Denver Public Schools – enrolls approximately 88,000 students. If charter schools were a school district, it would be the largest in the state by more than 50%.
Why have charter schools attracted so many students and families over the years? There are several reasons and the first one is quality.
Charter schools deliver high-quality results. Charter school students, on average, outperform their traditional school peers using various criteria. Charter school students post higher test scores on the annual Colorado Measures of Academic Success, and that increase is even more significant when evaluating scores of students of color and those eligible for free or reduced-price lunch.
For example, Black students in charter schools outperformed Black students in traditional public schools by 5.1 points in math and 7 points in English language arts. Latino students in charter schools outperformed Latino students in traditional public schools by 3 points in math and 5.1 points in ELA. And
Asian students in charter schools outperformed Asian students in traditional public schools by 6.7 points in math and 8 points in ELA.
The goal of our free public education system is to help prepare students to become productive, contributing members of society. Charter schools are succeeding in that respect as well. A recent University of Arkansas academic study focused on Denver found that students who spent 13 years at charter schools saw average lifetime earnings that were 12% higher per dollar invested in their education compared to graduates of traditional public schools. Charter schools are preparing students for life, whether that is college, the workforce or the military.
It is no wonder that families are interested in charter school options. Charters work because they give schools the flexibility and autonomy to create curriculum that resonates with the students and families in their local community. Not every family will find that charter schools meet their student’s needs, but they value having charter schools as an option.
That is true whether those families live in Denver, Fort Collins or Durango.
The charter schools in Durango – Animas High School, The Juniper School and Mountain Middle School – are lifelines to many families. The threat to their existence will return in January when the 2025 legislative session begins. These schools deserve the support of everyone. We must be vigilant to ensure Denver politicians don’t tear down what works in our community.
Shane Voss is the executive director of Mountain Middle School in Durango. He was named Colorado Leader of the Year in 2024 and inducted into the Colorado Charter School Hall of Fame.
