Concerning eliminating the annual appropriation requirement for the comprehensive human sexuality education grant program, and, in connection therewith, reducing an appropriation.
Summary
HB26-1389 removes a statutory requirement that the Colorado General Assembly appropriate at least $1 million each year for the comprehensive human sexuality education grant program. Under current law, that annual minimum funding obligation would be repealed, giving lawmakers more flexibility in future budget decisions about whether and how much to fund the program.
The bill also makes a corresponding budget adjustment for the 2026-27 fiscal year by reducing the general fund appropriation to the Department of Public Health and Environment for comprehensive sexual education by $991,025 and reducing associated staffing by 1.3 FTE, unless the long bill already provides a smaller amount or no appropriation for that purpose. The measure is tied to the annual appropriations process and takes effect July 1, 2026, with the budget adjustment contingent on enactment of the 2026-27 appropriations act.
Impact
The bill amends Colorado Revised Statutes section 25-44-104 by repealing the provision that required a yearly minimum appropriation for the comprehensive human sexuality education grant program. As a result, the program remains authorized, but the legislature is no longer legally bound to fund it at or above the previous $1 million floor. The bill also reduces a specific general fund appropriation in the 2026-27 budget for the Department of Public Health and Environment’s prevention services division and adjusts related FTE, affecting state spending and program administration.
Sentiment
Based on the bill’s progress through the appropriations process and its enactment, the overall sentiment appears to have been pragmatic and budget-focused rather than highly adversarial. The absence of recorded committee testimony or roll-call vote detail limits insight into individual arguments, but the bill’s framing suggests support for reducing a mandatory spending requirement while preserving legislative discretion over future funding levels. Its passage and gubernatorial signature indicate it had sufficient support to advance as a fiscal measure.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely the policy choice to eliminate a guaranteed annual funding floor for comprehensive human sexuality education. Supporters would view the change as restoring budget flexibility and allowing appropriators to set funding based on annual priorities, while opponents may see it as weakening support for sex education programming and reducing predictable resources for schools and grant recipients. The bill’s direct reduction in the 2026-27 appropriation and FTE may also raise concerns among advocates for public health, education, and prevention services.