Erica Meltzer

Education represents the second largest lobbying interest at the Capitol, behind health care. There’s a lot at stake: Education — K-12 and higher ed — takes up about 45% of the general fund, yet Colorado still funds education at far lower levels than other states.

Colorado’s proposed budget also would provide more money to help students who have traditionally struggled to complete college.

The 2021 session is underway. Among the early bills is one that would reduce the role of the SAT and ACT in college admissions.

The scenario is worse than preliminary estimates predicting a $2 billion to $3 billion shortfall.