Denver School Mill Levy to Go Before Voters in November
The proposed $44 million tax increase seeks to fund staff salaries and school programs across the district.
Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in Administration
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Denver voters will decide the future of a proposed $44 million mill levy increase for Denver Public Schools this November 2026. If passed, the Ballot Issue 4A funds are earmarked for staff salaries, mental health support, and specialized technology programs.
Why it matters
District officials state the tax increase is necessary to improve staff retention and address ongoing vacancies within the school system. However, the proposal faces scrutiny over past fund management and concerns regarding student achievement benchmarks.
The proposed $44 million annual mill levy increase is the latest district-led funding measure since voters passed a previous initiative in 2005. That historical levy was designated exclusively for professional compensation, whereas this current proposal covers a wider scope of operational costs.
The players
Denver Public Schools
The local public school district responsible for educating students and managing the city's educational infrastructure and levy initiatives.
Theresa Peña
The former president of the Denver Public Schools board of education who is currently opposing the proposed tax increase.
Chuck Carpenter
The interim deputy superintendent of operations and chief financial officer for Denver Public Schools who oversees the district's financial planning.
The details
Denver Public Schools leadership is utilizing the ballot initiative process to secure new funding for staff retention, technical career hubs, and student support services. This mill levy override asks homeowners to authorize a specific tax adjustment to bridge the current district budget gap. Opponents of the measure suggest that previous funding initiatives have not translated into the promised improvements for student achievement, creating a central point of debate for local voters.
Timeline
Voters approved a previous mill levy initiative in 2005.
The community will decide on Ballot Issue 4A in November 2026.
The Home Front
This proposal sits within a long-standing pattern of school districts using voter-approved mill levy overrides to supplement state funding. It marks a significant shift from the 2005 precedent, which limited funding to teacher compensation, by expanding the scope to include facility and mental health costs.
Homeowners should review the specific language of Ballot Issue 4A to understand how the levy will impact their annual property tax bills. Before voting in November 2026, you may want to consult official district documentation to compare current spending priorities against the stated goals for staff and student resources.
The takeaway
Voters face a choice between supporting increased district funding or demanding deeper accountability for previous spending. Track the specific allocation plan for your neighborhood schools to inform your vote this November 2026.
Further reading
For more on the district's governance and budget, visit the Administration page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS News.
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