Colorado Governor Jared Polis announces Colorado will be the first Democratic-led state to participate in program.
Denver, CO – Today, during National School Choice Week, the Invest in Education Foundation, alongside Colorado Governor Jared Polis, scholarship granting organizations (SGOs) and local advocates, spoke in Denver at the event, “Empowering Parents.”
During his remarks Governor Polis stated that Colorado will participate in the new federal tax credit scholarship program which demonstrates his commitment to expanding educational opportunity and ensuring families across the state have access to the tools they need to help their children succeed. Governor Polis said, “I’m proud that Colorado is the first Democratic state to come online. I’m excited about what this means for Coloradans, and I know that many Coloradans will be taking advantage of this tax credit to be able to do a little bit more for kids, investing in kids, closing the achievement gap and providing real opportunities for kids across the country.”
The event was hosted by Invest in Education Foundation, an organization that educates the public and policymakers about the opportunities that the new federal tax credit scholarship program will provide for Colorado families. This new program, that was signed into law on July 4, 2025, would generate exponentially more charitable donations to scholarship granting organizations that would expand educational opportunity for tens of thousands of children in public and private schools across the state.
The federal law provides governors with the discretion whether to allow their respective state’s children to benefit from the new scholarships that would result from the tax credit donation incentive. Last December, the U.S. Department of the Treasury through the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued Revenue Procedure 2026-6 to allow the nation’s governors the ability to make an advance election to opt in to the federal tax credit scholarship program. Governors must “opt in” to the federal tax credit scholarship program not later than January 1, 2027, when it takes effect for students in that state to benefit from the incentive.
The federal tax credit scholarship program will help K-12 students access a school or education service of their parents’ choice. Scholarships are funded with private donations, not federal money, and donors receive a 100 percent federal tax credit of up to $1,700 annually. Students could use scholarships for tuition, tutoring to address learning loss, special needs services, or education technology, among other uses.
Anne Lesser, President and CEO of the Invest in Education Foundation, said: “We are grateful for Governor Polis’ participation and support at today’s event. This federal tax credit scholarship program offers Colorado a chance to dramatically expand access by encouraging new investments in education. Opting in will mean more opportunity, more flexibility, and more support for families working to find the best fit for their children in public and non-public school settings.”
Cat Hendrix, Program and Alumni Director of Parents Challenge, said: “At Parents Challenge, we see every day how giving families the tools, support, and financial resources to choose the right educational path can transform a child’s life. Colorado families deserve every chance to pursue educational environments that fit their children’s needs no matter what choice option they choose, and we’re proud to stand with them in that effort.”
“At ACE Scholarships, we’ve seen how need-based scholarships open doors for students who otherwise might be left behind, and how empowering parents with choice transforms lives,” said Erik Billinger, Chief Development Officer of ACE Scholarships.
Norman Brownstein, Chairman, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, said: “This federal tax credit scholarship program leverages private investment to empower families, while respecting state authority and local priorities. For Colorado, opting in is a practical and forward-looking decision that puts students and parents at the center of their educational needs.”
Natasha Harris, Co-founder of Colorado Christian Academy, said: “The federal tax credit scholarship program would give more Colorado families the resources to make those choices a reality. This is about unlocking opportunity and giving every child a chance to succeed.”
Tricia Sullivan, Executive Director of Seeds of Hope, said: “I’ve witnessed the sacrifices families make to give their children not just academic formation but spiritual and moral grounding. By expanding access to scholarship resources, we’re helping cultivate minds and empowering families to choose the education that best supports their children’s futures.”
To learn more, please visit foundation.investineducation.org.
About Invest in Education Foundation
Invest in Education Foundation is a non-partisan research and policy 501(c)(3) organization that educates the public and policymakers about school choice as a means to expand educational freedom and opportunity for K-12 parents and students. IIEF is subject to laws and regulations that prohibit it from participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for elective public office. IIEF expressly disavows any partisan opinions or activities that are not made in accordance with these provisions: such opinions and activities are not authorized and may not be attributed to the IIEF.