Bill > HB1274

This bill proposes to strengthen and sustain the Healthy School Meals for All Program in Colorado by addressing funding challenges and introducing two ballot measures in November 2025. The first ballot measure seeks voter approval to retain the existing tax revenue generated by limiting tax deductions for high-income earners (those with federal adjusted gross income of $300,000 or more), while the second measure proposes to further increase state taxable income for the same income group by reducing their allowed tax deductions from $12,000 to $1,000 for single filers and from $16,000 to $2,000 for joint filers, which would generate approximately $95 million annually to support the program. The program, which was initially approved by voters in 2022, provides free breakfast and lunch to all public school students, supports local farmers by purchasing Colorado-grown products, increases wages for school nutrition professionals, and aims to reduce child hunger. The bill also makes several technical modifications to existing law, including expanding eligibility for local food purchasing grants, creating more flexible advisory committees for school food authorities, and establishing more nuanced funding mechanisms that adjust grant amounts based on the program's financial health. These changes are intended to ensure the long-term sustainability of the Healthy School Meals for All Program and its ability to continue providing nutritious meals to students across Colorado.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb25-1274