Governor Jared Polis has signed new legislation that will put two key ballot measures before Colorado voters this November. These measures aim to secure more funding for the state’s free school meals program.
In 2022, Colorado voters approved Proposition FF, which launched the Healthy School Meals for All program. This initiative provides free breakfast and lunch to every student in Colorado. To fund it, the state limited income tax breaks for families earning over $300,000 a year.
Supporters say the program has been a clear success. Participation in school meals has risen by more than 30 percent since the program began. Senator Katie Wallace, a Democrat from Longmont, said the program has helped reduce the stigma around free meals, supported student success, and eased financial pressure on families. She added that the new law lets voters decide the future of this important program.
However, the program faces financial challenges. Although it raised over $100 million last year, it still ran a $56 million shortfall. State lawmakers covered the gap for now but cannot continue doing so indefinitely.
The two ballot questions will ask voters whether to keep funding the program as it is, increase funding, or cut back.
The first measure asks voters if the state can keep and spend extra revenue from high-income taxpayers that was collected beyond the original forecast. Normally, this money—about $12 million—would be refunded to around 194,000 households earning more than $300,000 annually.
The second measure proposes expanding the program by further limiting tax deductions for those same high earners. Analysts estimate that if both measures pass, they could raise over $95 million each year for free school meals.
If voters approve at least one measure, the law will also extend the local school purchasing program. This program allows schools to buy food directly from local farmers and ranchers but is set to end after the 2025-2026 fiscal year.
If neither measure passes, budget cuts will likely force the program to scale back. In that case, only schools qualifying under the federal Community Eligibility Provision, which provides free meals based on need, would receive funding. However, some Congressional Republicans want to raise the eligibility threshold for this federal program, which could limit the number of qualifying schools.
According to Hunger Free Colorado, the program currently saves families more than $1,250 per child each year in meal costs.
The state budget for this year covers the meal program through December.
Representative Lorena García, a Democrat from Adams County, said, “Colorado children should never have to worry about where their next meal is coming from.” She added that the program has boosted student health and achievement. Now, voters will decide whether to keep fighting childhood hunger or reduce the program.
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