New legislation creates opportunities for Colorado charter schools to participate in district bond planning. Blueprint Colorado shares practical steps schools can take to prepare.

Access to adequate, high-quality facilities remains one of the greatest challenges facing public charter schools. In Colorado, new legislation offers an important opportunity for charter schools to have their facility needs considered as part of school district bond planning.

On August 28, Blueprint Colorado Executive Director Joy Griffin joined Prateek Dutta, Vice President of Policy at CLCS Action, at the Colorado League of Charter Schools’ Annual Finance Seminar to discuss Senate Bill 26-145 and what it means for charter school leaders.

Their session, Colorado’s New Bond Bill: New Opportunities for Charter School Facilities, explored the legislation and outlined practical steps schools can take to position themselves for future capital funding opportunities.

Understanding Senate Bill 26-145

Senate Bill 26-145 establishes new requirements for school districts considering ballot measures to fund capital construction. Under the legislation, districts must solicit proposals from their charter schools regarding facility needs, provide equitable consideration, and notify schools whether their projects will be included in a proposed ballot measure.

While the legislation does not guarantee funding, it creates a more structured and transparent process for charter schools to participate in district capital planning.

For charter school leaders, the message is clear: early engagement and thoughtful facility planning are essential.

Four Steps Charter Schools Can Take Now

During the seminar, Joy and Prateek highlighted four important actions schools can take to prepare for future bond opportunities.

1. Get Involved Early

Building productive relationships with district leadership is an important first step.

Charter schools should understand their district’s long-range facilities planning process, participate in relevant planning committees, and maintain regular communication with district board members, superintendents, and other leaders.

Schools can also strengthen these relationships by sharing their educational achievements, unique programs, and contributions to the broader community.

Community partners can play an important role as well, helping schools communicate their facility needs and build support for proposed projects.

2. Be Prepared with a Long-Term Facilities Plan

Successful facility projects begin well before funding becomes available.

Schools should develop and regularly update a comprehensive facilities plan that identifies current conditions, future needs, and capital priorities.

This includes assessing major building systems, documenting maintenance needs, identifying health and safety improvements, and forecasting capital replacements over a five- to ten-year period.

Planning ahead is particularly important given the time required to deliver school facilities. New school construction or development typically takes 18 to 36 months, while renovation projects can take eight to twelve months or longer, depending on scope and permitting.

A well-developed facilities plan helps school leaders make informed decisions and respond when funding opportunities arise.

3. Understand the Bond Planning Timeline

Timing is critical.

Under SB 26-145, districts considering a capital construction ballot question must solicit charter school proposals as early as practicable and no later than 120 days before board approval of the ballot measure.

The legislation also establishes opportunities for charter schools to present their proposals and receive written notification about whether their projects will be included.

Schools should familiarize themselves with these requirements, understand their district’s planning calendar, and prepare complete proposals that clearly describe project needs, estimated costs, timelines, and funding strategies.

Maintaining documentation and communicating in writing throughout the process can also help ensure that proposals receive appropriate consideration.

4. Advocate for Your School’s Facility Needs

Charter school leaders are often their schools’ strongest advocates.

Engaging with district leadership, participating in public meetings, and communicating facility priorities to community partners can help ensure that charter school needs are part of broader capital planning conversations.

Schools should also review their charter contracts to understand how existing provisions address district bond participation and consult legal counsel about potential updates under the new legislation.

Effective advocacy begins with preparation, collaboration, and a clear understanding of how facility investments support students and educators.

Planning Today for Tomorrow’s Opportunities

At Blueprint, we know that creating safe, inspiring learning environments requires more than securing a building. It takes strategic planning, financial expertise, strong partnerships, and a long-term commitment to a school’s success.

Through our work with charter schools across Colorado, we help school leaders navigate the complexities of facility development, from early planning and feasibility through financing, construction, and occupancy.

Colorado’s new bond legislation offers another opportunity for schools to think strategically about their long-term facility needs and engage with district partners.

We appreciate the Colorado League of Charter Schools and CLCS Action for bringing school leaders together to explore these important developments. We look forward to continuing to support Colorado charter schools as they plan for the facilities their students and communities deserve.

To learn more about how Blueprint Colorado supports charter school facility planning and development, visit blueprintfutures.org/colorado.