Court Shoots Down Vouchers in Colorado

A judge Wednesday (December 3, 2003) declared Colorado's private school voucher law unconstitutional, saying it illegally strips local school boards of control over education. Denver District Judge Joseph Meyer also issued an injunction barring implementation of the voucher plan.

The Colorado law required publicly financed vouchers to be offered beginning next year to low-income children in kindergarten through 12th grade to help offset private-school tuition. Under the law, 11 districts with eight or more schools that received low or unsatisfactory academic performance ratings were required to participate; other districts had the option to participate. State budget officials estimated that a fully operational program would strip the 11 districts of $90 million per year.

"This decision is a victory for the children of Colorado, the state of Colorado and all of public education," NEA President Reg Weaver said.

"The children of Colorado need highly qualified and certified teachers and smaller class sizes, better discipline and programs that get more parents involved," Weaver said. "Anything that diverts resources from providing these tools is wrong. And that is what vouchers do."

NEA and CEA sponsored the suit "Colorado PTA v. Owens" on behalf of Colorado parents, educators and taxpayers in the 11 school districts forced to participate in the voucher program. The "Owens" named in the lawsuit is Colorado Gov. Bill Owens.

Resource page on private school vouchers

Posted December 3, 2003