KLS Keeping Law Simple Legislation in plain English

Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.

Back to Colorado

HB26-1175 • 2026

State Education Fund Reading to Ensure Academic Development Act & Colorado Teacher of the Year Program

The act discontinues the annual transfers from the state education fund to the Colorado teacher of the year fund for the Colorado teacher of the year program and to the early literacy fund for specifi

Budget Education
Enacted

This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.

Sponsor
Rep. K. Brown, Rep. E. Sirota, Sen. J. Bridges, Sen. B. Kirkmeyer, Rep. R. Taggart, Sen. J. Amabile, Rep. C. Clifford, Rep. M. Duran, Rep. R. Gonzalez, Rep. S. Lieder, Rep. J. McCluskie, Rep. K. Nguyen, Rep. S. Slaugh, Rep. K. Stewart, Rep. R. Weinberg, Rep. T. Winter
Last action
2026-03-26
Official status
Governor Signed
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official summary does not provide details on how the $34 million will be used or specify funding after September 1, 2027.

State Education Fund Reading and Teacher Recognition Act

This act stops yearly transfers from the state education fund for two programs, discontinues certain funds by a specific date, and requires annual funding for reading support.

What This Bill Does

  • Stops annual transfers of money from the state education fund to the Colorado teacher of the year program.
  • Repeals the Colorado teacher of the year fund and the early literacy fund starting September 1, 2027.
  • Requires the general assembly to annually provide at least $34 million from the state education fund for reading programs in schools.

Who It Names or Affects

  • The state government, especially those managing the state education fund and related programs.
  • Teachers who might have been nominated for the Colorado teacher of the year award.

Terms To Know

Colorado READ Act
A law that supports reading development in schools.
General Assembly
The state legislature responsible for making laws and approving budgets.

Limits and Unknowns

  • Does not specify how the Colorado teacher of the year program will be funded after September 1, 2027.
  • Does not provide details on how the $34 million will be used to support reading programs in schools.

Bill History

  1. 2026-03-26 Governor

    Governor Signed

  2. 2026-03-17 Governor

    Sent to the Governor

  3. 2026-03-17 Senate

    Signed by the President of the Senate

  4. 2026-03-16 House

    Signed by the Speaker of the House

  5. 2026-02-20 Senate

    Senate Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

  6. 2026-02-19 Senate

    Senate Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments

  7. 2026-02-18 Senate

    Senate Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended - Consent Calendar to Senate Committee of the Whole

  8. 2026-02-17 Senate

    Introduced In Senate - Assigned to Appropriations

  9. 2026-02-12 House

    House Third Reading Passed - No Amendments

  10. 2026-02-11 House

    House Second Reading Special Order - Passed - No Amendments

  11. 2026-02-10 House

    House Committee on Appropriations Refer Unamended to House Committee of the Whole

  12. 2026-02-06 House

    Introduced In House - Assigned to Appropriations

Official Summary Text

The act discontinues the annual transfers from the state education fund to the Colorado teacher of the year fund for the Colorado teacher of the year program and to the early literacy fund for specified purposes in support of the 'Colorado READ Act'. The Colorado teacher of the year fund and the early literacy fund are repealed, effective September 1, 2027.
The act permits the general assembly to appropriate money from the state education fund for the Colorado teacher of the year program and requires the general assembly to annually appropriate at least $34 million from the state education fund for the same specified purposes in support of the 'Colorado READ Act'.
(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)