Colorado Springs D-11 Voters Approve $775 Million School Bond

Colorado Springs D-11 voters approve $775 million bond measure

Voters in the Colorado Springs School District 11 have issued a preliminary approval for a $775 million tax increase intended to modernize the district’s aging infrastructure, according to early unofficial results reported by the Colorado Springs Gazette. As of 7:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Ballot Issue 4A held a slim lead with 51.41% of the vote. This marks the first time in two decades that the district has successfully passed a bond measure, with the last successful vote occurring in 2004.

The approved funding is earmarked for comprehensive upgrades across every school building within the district. The proposed projects include the installation of air conditioning systems in facilities that currently lack them, the modernization of learning spaces, and the repair or rebuilding of multiple school sites. Additionally, the bond aims to improve all existing safety and security systems throughout the district.

While D-11 voters moved toward a significant investment, results in neighboring districts showed a much more divided or resistant landscape regarding school funding and taxation.

Cheyenne Mountain District 12 secures $80 million for upgrades

In the Cheyenne Mountain District 12 (D-12), Ballot Issue 4B saw much stronger early support, leading with 61.14% of the vote. This $80 million bond is designed to fund facility upgrades, a school rebuild, and the construction of a new high school athletic field. While the bond will trigger an annual tax increase of $8.8 million, the district’s property tax rate is expected to remain steady at 55 mills.

D-12 Superintendent David Peak expressed optimism regarding the preliminary numbers, noting that the measure represents a critical investment in the district’s infrastructure and its people.

“While the results have not yet been finalized, the anticipated passage of this measure represents a significant investment in the future of our District and, most importantly, the students, staff, and families we serve,” Peak said in a statement to the Gazette. “We understand the responsibility that comes with this investment and remain committed to transparency, fiscal stewardship, and delivering the projects we have outlined to our community.”

Voters reject tax increases in Hanover and Woodland Park

The appetite for school-related tax increases was notably absent in other parts of the region. In Hanover, voters overwhelmingly rejected a tax increase intended to boost staff compensation. The proposal, involving four new permanent mills, would have generated approximately $232,000 in its first year, costing a homeowner with a $300,000 property roughly $80 per year. Instead, 75.46% of voters voted against the measure.

A similar trend emerged in Woodland Park District RE-2, where voters denied Ballot Issue 2B. This .25% sales tax was intended to pay off existing building debt held by the district, with management of the funds overseen by the city. The tax was set to sunset in 2031 unless renewed. The rejection was decisive, with 66.95% of voters opposing the measure compared to 33.05% in favor.

The failure of the Woodland Park measure follows a period of instability regarding district revenue. A previous sales tax of 1.09%, which had generated up to $3 million annually for the district, was repealed in 2025 following community concerns regarding how district leadership reported and utilized those funds.

District	Measure	Status (Early)	Primary Purpose
Colorado Springs D-11	Ballot Issue 4A	Approved (51.41%)	$775M for AC, security, and rebuilding
Cheyenne Mountain D-12	Ballot Issue 4B	Approved (61.14%)	$80M for facilities and athletics
Hanover District 28	Tax Increase	Rejected (75.46% No)	Staff compensation
Woodland Park RE-2	Ballot Issue 2B	Rejected (66.95% No)	Paying off existing building debt

The results highlight a complex fiscal environment for Colorado school districts, where the necessity of infrastructure modernization in larger districts like D-11 clashes with deep-seated skepticism toward tax increases in smaller communities like Hanover and Woodland Park.