Governor's Office Submits Supplemental and Budget Amendment Requests to JBC

DENVER - On January 2, 2025, the Governor’s Office will submit its 2024-2025 supplemental budget requests and 2025-2026 budget amendments following the most recent economic forecast. These requests build on the Governor’s budget proposal to preserve education funding, make government more efficient, and make further investments in increasing public safety all while protecting the state's fiscal future. 

“This balanced budget request is generally good news due to higher than expected population growth since the November budget and will help us deliver for Coloradans. Even in a tight budget year, these investments will help all Colorado students thrive, continue to crack down on crime to keep our communities safer, make government more efficient and responsive to the needs of Coloradans, and ensure fiscal responsibility,” said Governor Polis. 

These supplemental budget requests include: 

• $35 million, for a total increase of $150 million, to fulfill the updated student-focused school finance formula and implement 18% of the formula and fully implement over 6 years 
• $12 million to support students who are at risk 
• $10 million to support the Child Care Assistance Program to help address new federal unfunded mandates 
• Restore funding of $19.5 million to support pediatric behavioral health 
• Restore funding of $14.6 million to support Colorado’s rural institutions of Higher Education 
• $5.8 million to increase youth detention bed capacity faster, helping keep our communities safe and give youth the tools they need to successfully rehabilitate 
• $3.3 million in increased funding for Colorado’s popular money-saving Universal Preschool to continue to support providers 
• Restore $2 million for crime prevention grants 
• Includes $43 million of additional balancing proposal and reductions that have been presented by Joint Budget Committee Staff 

These requests build on the successes of the Polis Administration including decreasing crime for two years in a row, historic legislation to create more housing Coloradans can afford, making the first two years of college free for more Coloradans, saving families thousands each year through Free kindergarten and Universal Preschool, major investments in air quality protection, expanding transportation options to save Coloradans time and money, and more.