This story was originally published by Chalkbeat.
DENVER | About 380 Colorado schools might lose their ability to serve all students free meals if two ballot measures fail in the Nov. 4 election, state education data shows.
State lawmakers put Propositions MM and LL on the ballot to shore up Colorado’s Healthy School Meals for All program, which offers free breakfast and lunch to every student whose district opts in. But the program, which was created by a 2022 ballot measure, has proven more popular — and thus, more expensive — than expected.
This past spring, lawmakers decided to fully fund the program through the end of 2025 but then scale it back if voters don’t approve Propositions MM and LL.
Meals would still be free at schools that participate in the federal Community Eligibility Provision program. To qualify for this provision, at least 25% of students must be “directly certified” to receive free meals because their families already receive public nutrition benefits, or because the students themselves are homeless or in foster care, among other criteria.
Of the 1,803 schools participating in Health School Meals for All, 1,421 are part of the Community Eligibility Provision program, according to Colorado Department of Education data. That means that if Propositions MM and LL fail, meals will still be free at almost 80% of participating Colorado schools, including traditional district-run schools, charter schools, and schools inside youth detention centers.
But families at the remaining 382 schools could end up having to pay for meals themselves, or fill out federal applications to determine if their children qualify for free or reduced-price meals based on family income.
Some of those 382 schools across the state may still be able to get Healthy School Meals for All funding if they’re eligible for, but don’t currently participate in, the Community Eligibility Provision. Other schools might opt to foot the bill for free meals if the measures fail.
In Cherry Creek schools, 18 do not participate in the eligibility program, including Campus Middle School and Grandview High School. All Aurora Public Schools participate.
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE LIST OF SCHOOLS NOT PARTICIPATING
Since it started in the 2023-24 school year, the Healthy School Meals for All program’s popularity has meant higher costs than predicted.
The state needs about $150 million this year to fully fund the program, but the revenue from Proposition FF, which created the program, has fallen short.
Proposition MM asks voters for $95 million more a year for the school meals program by increasing taxes on households that make more than $300,000 a year. Money from this measure could also be used to help pay for costs related to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, which was cut by Congress.
And Proposition LL asks voters whether the state can keep millions in revenue raised for its popular free school meals program instead of providing taxpayer refunds.
Below is a list of schools that do and don’t participate in the Community Eligibility Provision. Only schools not participating in the provision may lose the ability to serve free meals funded by the state if Propositions MM and LL fail.
Jason Gonzales is a reporter covering higher education and the Colorado legislature. Chalkbeat Colorado partners with Open Campus on higher education coverage. Contact Jason at jgonzales@chalkbeat.org.
I do not believe the Sentinel should do an article about free meals without any understanding of the meaning of the word “free”. The meals may be at no cost to those consuming them, but they are not free. They are taxpayers like me being forced to feed others. They eat and I get the bill.
This proposal appears to throw in a little something for everyone—-all under the heartstring-pulling title of “Free School Lunches.” If you read carefully you will see a transfer of funds to SNAP and also to affordable housing. Free meals would still NOT be offered at hundreds of schools across the state. Under this legislation the wealthiest Coloradans would have an additional tax and all taxpayers would have a smaller Tabor refund. Should we believe that the cafeteria workers and the farmers will be paid THIS time? They were promised that in the original 2021 legislation and, shucks, there hasn’t been enough money to do it.
I resent the complexity packed into Propositions LL and MM. The broken promises from 2021 make me angry and very wary.
https://leg.colorado.gov/sites/default/files/2025_fiscal_impact_statements-accessible.pdf
I recall that offering free lunches was adopted so the poorer children wouldn’t be identified with special cards or meals. Seems like there could be another way, so we don’t pay for kids who don’t need it. It also means less food would be wasted, since kids are not cleaning their plates like we old people learned to do, and to appreciate the food.