Colorado Teacher Pathway Program Faces Possible Defunding

Bipartisan legislators propose ending the Teacher Recruitment and Education Preparation (TREP) program to help meet a $1 billion state budget deficit.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 1:12am

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A bold, colorful silkscreen-style illustration featuring a repeating grid of textbooks and a chalkboard, representing the educational themes at the heart of this story about a teacher recruitment program facing possible defunding.The potential end of a Colorado program aimed at recruiting future teachers highlights the ongoing challenges in addressing the state's educator shortage.Denver Today

The Teacher Recruitment and Education Preparation (TREP) program, which provides high school students the opportunity to earn up to two years of free college credit towards a teaching degree, is facing possible defunding by bipartisan state legislators. The program, created in 2021, has enrolled 220 students so far, but a new bill approved in the state House would phase it out, citing higher costs compared to other teacher training initiatives. This has left many aspiring teachers, like Eaglecrest High School senior Cailyn Baldermann, in limbo as they planned to utilize TREP to pursue their teaching goals.

Why it matters

The potential end of the TREP program comes at a time when Colorado, like many states, is facing teacher shortages. The program was designed to encourage more high school students to consider teaching careers and provide them a head start on earning a teaching degree. Its defunding could make it more difficult for the state to recruit and retain future educators.

The details

The bill to phase out TREP was approved in the Colorado House and is now moving to the Senate. It is supported by both Republican and Democratic legislators, who cite the program's higher costs compared to other teacher training initiatives. According to the Colorado Department of Education, 220 students are currently enrolled in TREP, with 143 in their first year. The bill would not impact those students, but it would end the program for future applicants like Cailyn Baldermann, who had planned to utilize it.

  • In March 2026, lawmakers began discussing the possible defunding of the TREP program.
  • Cailyn Baldermann and other high school seniors are set to graduate in May 2026, just months after learning of the program's potential end.

The players

Cailyn Baldermann

A senior at Eaglecrest High School who had planned to use the TREP program to pursue a teaching career while staying close to home in Colorado.

Emily Sirota

A Democratic state representative from Glendale who cited the higher per-student cost of the TREP program compared to community college as a reason for its proposed defunding.

Jeff Bridges

A Democratic state senator from Englewood and co-sponsor of the bill to phase out the TREP program, who said the decision was difficult but necessary due to budget constraints.

Lori Goldstein

A Democratic state representative from Broomfield who attempted to amend the bill to continue funding the TREP program for this year's high school seniors, but was unsuccessful.

Jared Polis

The Governor of Colorado, who is reportedly working with legislators to find a way to continue funding the TREP program for this year's high school seniors.

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What they’re saying

“This is just a really good program. If we could keep it around, it would be so beneficial.”

— Cailyn Baldermann, Eaglecrest High School senior

“High schools are being paid at a rate of $10,000 per student per year, which is greater than the amount that a student would cost if they were enrolled in community college taking these same classes.”

— Emily Sirota, Democratic state representative from Glendale

“Because of the rationing limit in TABOR, we were forced to make hard choices this year, from cuts to healthcare for kids with disabilities to this program, which the data we have indicates is less effective and more costly than our other teacher training programs.”

— Jeff Bridges, Democratic state senator from Englewood

“I wanted to do whatever I could to carry it forward for the kids that are seniors this year in high school.”

— Lori Goldstein, Democratic state representative from Broomfield

“The Governor is actively working with legislators to continue to fund the Teacher Recruitment Education Program for this year's high school seniors.”

— Ally Sullivan, Spokesperson for Governor Jared Polis

What’s next

The bill to defund the TREP program is now moving to the Colorado Senate, where legislators will consider it further. Governor Polis has indicated he is working with lawmakers to find a way to continue funding the program for this year's high school seniors, but the ultimate fate of the program remains uncertain.

The takeaway

The potential end of the TREP program highlights the difficult budget decisions facing Colorado lawmakers as they work to address a $1 billion state deficit. While the program was designed to encourage more students to pursue teaching careers, its higher costs compared to other teacher training initiatives have made it a target for potential cuts. The situation underscores the ongoing challenges in recruiting and retaining teachers in Colorado and the need for sustainable, long-term solutions to address the state's teacher shortage.