Denver Voters Will Consider School Tax Increase
Denver homeowners may see a property tax hike to fund district staffing and programming in November 2026.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Secondary Education
Live Poll
Would you vote to increase property taxes to fund raises for public school employees?
Denver voters will decide in November 2026 whether to approve Ballot Issue 4A, a $44 million annual property tax increase for Denver Public Schools. The measure is designed to support the district's 89,000 students through expanded programming and staff compensation.
Why it matters
The district is requesting these funds to address rising operational costs for utilities and special education, alongside staffing challenges tied to declining enrollment. This ballot measure would shift the funding landscape for Denver households by adjusting annual property tax liabilities.
The proposal costs homeowners $11.50 per $100,000 of home value, amounting to an estimated $72 annual increase for the median Denver home valued at $624,800. Funds are allocated for $25.8 million in raises and $9.3 million for charter schools.
The players
Denver Public Schools
The local school district serving 89,000 students and managing a portfolio of charter and traditional public schools.
The details
This measure acts as a mill levy override to provide dedicated revenue for school operations. The funding package directs $25.8 million toward $1,750 raises for full-time employees, while the remaining balance supports special education, mental health resources, and career education. State law mandates that a portion of this override revenue be shared with district-authorized charter schools.
Timeline
Voters approved a $32 million mill levy override in 2020.
A $51 million bond for classroom upgrades was passed by voters in 2024.
The decision on Ballot Issue 4A will take place in November 2026.
The Home Front
This proposal continues a cycle of recurring education-funding ballot measures seen in Denver's local property tax landscape. It follows the 2024 passage of a school bond, signaling a consistent community reliance on voter-approved levies to offset district operating expenses.
Homeowners should factor the potential $72 annual tax increase into their 2026 housing budgets. Consider reviewing your current property tax assessment documents to understand how the proposed $11.50 rate per $100,000 of value would apply to your home.
The takeaway
Voters will determine the district's financial trajectory when they head to the polls in November 2026. Households should monitor local ballot guides for any updates on the specific implementation of these proposed school funds.
Further reading
Learn more about local school funding and resources at Denver Secondary Education.
Live Poll
Would you vote to increase property taxes to fund raises for public school employees?
