Teachers rally outside State Capitol, lawmakers trying to find funding

Hundreds of teachers rallied outside the Colorado State Capitol Thursday morning. They were trying to gain the attention of legislators.

One said, “what we make is ridiculous compared to what other people make with this much education.”

Inside the Capitol, three Republican lawmakers told KRDO they’re working on HB18-1379 that would provide $500 million more for the state’s education fund, but teachers aren’t sure it’s enough.

A teacher marching said, “It’s going to take more than that to get us out of the hole we’re in.”

Although lawmakers said no matter how much money they give schools, it’s up to the districts to pay their teachers accordingly.

Teachers quickly said that also wasn’t the problem, “I don’t think it’s that the districts aren’t supporting the teachers and schools in the way that they can, there’s just not enough to do what they need to do.”

With just two weeks left in the legislative session, lawmakers aren’t sure what more they can do.

Sen. Kevin Lundberg, (R-Larimer) said, “It’s always appropriate for the citizens of Colorado to come and speak at the legislature and they’re going to try and do that in a big way but the timing is not ideal at all. We’re in the final two weeks.”

It won’t stop teachers from marching for the second day in a row.