Voters appear to be rejecting Colorado’s Amendment 80, which focused on school choice

DENVER — Coloradans are expected to reject an amendment to secure the right to school choice in the state Constitution — including charter and private institutions — for parents and guardians of students in kindergarten through 12th grade, according to Decision Desk HQ.

Based on the numbers available on the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office website, Amendment 80 appears to have failed as the percentage of ballots counted showed 48.10% in favor of the measure, compared to 51.90% against it. Because it would have added language to the Colorado Constitution, it required at least 55% approval.

• Decision Desk headquarters is tracking Colorado Congressional races and voting measures on the interactive map below.

Parents in Colorado already have the option to request that their students be enrolled in the school of their choice and regardless of where they live, under the Public Schools of Choice Act enacted thirty years ago.

However, Amendment 80 aimed to enshrine school choice in the state Constitution so that the right would not be limited or eliminated in future Colorado legislative sessions, supporters said.

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Those opposed to Amendment 80, including the Colorado Education Association, argued that it could open the doors to redirecting money from public schools to private schools or homeschools. according to Denver decision.