At Gary Advocacy, our north star is simple: make Colorado the best place to raise a family.
Reaching that goal means breaking down systemic barriers that too often make it harder for families to get ahead — from the rising costs of housing and child care to underinvestment in the schools and communities that help kids and families succeed.
With 14 statewide measures and several local measures, we know this year’s ballot can feel overwhelming. We are not weighing in on all the different measures, rather we want to highlight the initiatives Gary Advocacy has financially supported as we believe these efforts present practical opportunities for Coloradans to vote for the type of change and investments they deserve.
Together, these measures represent meaningful steps toward a Colorado where every family has a fair shot to thrive.
Proposition NN – Yes for Colorado Kids
We know that when we invest in students and their learning needs, they thrive. Right now, Colorado ranks 43rd in the nation for education funding, with our K-12 schools being underfunded by $4,600 per student annually. Proposition NN raises the TABOR revenue cap to address that K-12 funding gap. Prop NN does not raise taxes and has yearly audits to ensure Colorado voters know exactly how those dollars are being spent, with requirements to raise teacher pay and retention, create smaller class sizes and generate more career and technical education opportunities. All remaining revenue goes to The Children’s Fund, which will allow Colorado to make the largest-ever state investments in child care, universal preschool and programs that prepare kids for school.
Why We Support It
Proposition NN makes a major statewide investment in Colorado kids, from their earliest years through graduation, without asking families — or any Coloradan — to pay more. By establishing the Children’s Fund in the measure and requiring investments go toward school readiness, including child care and preschool as priorities, it recognizes that school success starts long before kindergarten. Gary Advocacy is excited to support and play a lead role on the campaign.
Boulder County Ballot Issue 1A – Child Care Measure
Boulder County voters will consider a mill levy increase dedicated to child care. It would raise about $30 million a year. The owner of a $1 million home would pay about $163 a year. The money would fund tuition assistance for families earning up to $150,000 a year, grow infant and toddler care slots by 30%, and support the recruitment and retention of early childhood educators.
Why We Support It
At $30 million a year, it would be one of the largest local child care investments in the state, addressing cost for families, too few infant and toddler slots, and a workforce that is underpaid and hard to keep.
Summit County Ballot Issue 1A – Strong Future Extension
Summit County voters will consider extending the voter-approved Strong Future mill levy with no increase to the tax rate. First passed in 2018 and set to expire in 2028, Strong Future has funded child care, behavioral health, wildfire mitigation and other community priorities.
Why We Support It
Since 2018, Strong Future has added about 100 child care slots and provided $15 million in tuition credits for local families. Extending Strong Future keeps those gains going with a concerted focus on kids and families.
Broomfield Ballot Issue 1A – Lodging Tax Increase
Broomfield Ballot Issue 1A would increase the city’s lodging tax from 1.6% to 6%, generating approximately $3.3 million annually for affordable housing and housing stability. The tax is paid on short-term stays in hotels and other lodging, not through an increase in property taxes or sales taxes. At 6%, Broomfield’s lodging tax would also remain competitive with surrounding communities.
Why We Support It
Housing prices in Colorado continue to be a major source of financial hardship for families. Increasing the lodging tax in Broomfield is a great opportunity to bring in needed revenue for an ongoing need.
Denver Ballot Issue 4A – Denver Public Schools Mill Levy Override
Denver voters will consider a $44 million-a-year mill levy override for Denver Public Schools. It would provide a $1,750 base salary increase to every DPS employee from teachers to paraprofessionals and custodial staff. It would also support career expansion, technical education, and strengthen student mental health and special education services. The owner of a median-priced Denver home would pay about $72 more a year.
Why We Support It
Keeping great educators in the classroom, investing in critical and often under paid support staff, and expanding career pathways and mental health support helps Denver students thrive.
Jefferson County Ballot Issue 5A – Jeffco Public Schools Mill Levy Override
Jefferson County voters will consider a $73 million mill levy override for Jeffco Public Schools. The additional revenue would go to pay for teachers, principals and support staff, including compensation increases. It would also expand career and technical education.
Why We Support It
5A helps Jeffco keep great teachers in its classrooms and gives its roughly 75,000 students more career-ready pathways.