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Colorado Voters Decide Funding Fixes for Universal School Meals Program

The election tests whether excess collections can be retained and higher earners taxed to close a shortfall that could end free meals at hundreds of schools.

Overview

  • Proposition LL would allow the state to keep about $11.3 million from 2023–24 collections plus interest and exempt future revenues for the program from TABOR refunds.
  • Proposition MM would raise taxes on households earning over $300,000 by limiting deductions, with estimates of roughly $95 million in annual revenue for school meals.
  • State officials cite higher-than-expected participation and inflation as drivers of a roughly $150 million current-year funding need that left wage increases and local food purchases unfunded.
  • If the measures fail, free meals could be scaled back starting in January at 382 of the 1,803 participating schools, requiring some families to pay or apply for federal benefits.
  • The Healthy School Meals for All program, created by 2022’s Proposition FF, has delivered millions of additional breakfasts and lunches in its first year of operation.