Colorado voters could decide whether to raise more money for universal school meal program

Colorado voters could decide this year whether to bring in more money for a state program that provides free meals to all public school students after the original funding mechanism did not raise enough for actual demand.

“In order to continue funding universal meals and to fulfill the full program approved by voters, we need additional funding to sustain this effort, and this bill is a solution,” state Rep. Lorena Garcia, an Adams County Democrat, told lawmakers during a committee hearing on Thursday.

The bill is sponsored by Garcia and Sen. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, a Commerce City Democrat. It passed its first committee hearing on a 7-5 party-line vote with Democrats in favor.

Colorado voters approved Proposition FF in 2022, creating the Healthy School Meals For All program, which provides free breakfast and lunch to all students regardless of family income. The original analysis for the program that was presented to voters expected the program to cost between $50 million and $80 million per year.



https://coloradonewsline.com/briefs/colorado-voters-money-universal-school-meal/