Colorado School Staff Face Steep Health Insurance Hikes

Cherry Creek and Denver Public Schools see double-digit premium increases for next school year

Apr. 16, 2026 at 11:08pm

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A ghostly, translucent X-ray image of a stethoscope, its internal components glowing against a dark background, conceptually representing the clinical and anatomical aspects of the health insurance story for school employees.As school districts grapple with skyrocketing health insurance costs, the financial strain on educators and support staff could have far-reaching impacts on the education system.Denver Today

School districts in the Denver area are informing employees that health insurance premiums will see significant increases for the upcoming school year, with Cherry Creek Schools reporting a 19.1% hike and Denver Public Schools facing a 26% jump in coverage costs. The rising expenses are putting a strain on teachers and support staff, who are already grappling with the high cost of living.

Why it matters

The steep increases in health insurance costs add to the financial pressures facing educators and school employees, many of whom are already struggling to make ends meet. This could exacerbate staffing challenges and teacher shortages in the region, as higher insurance premiums eat into already tight budgets.

The details

Cherry Creek Schools notified staff this week that their health insurance coverage plans will increase by 19.1% for the next school year, resulting in monthly premium hikes of over $600. Denver Public Schools is facing an even steeper 26% rise in insurance costs. Union leaders say these added expenses will force many school employees to make difficult choices about their healthcare and household budgets.

  • Cherry Creek Schools announced the 19.1% premium increase this week.
  • Denver Public Schools is looking at a 26% hike in coverage costs for the upcoming school year.

The players

Rob Gould

President of the Denver Classroom Teachers Association (DCTA), an advocate for Denver Public Schools staff.

Cherry Creek Schools

A major school district in the Denver metro area that is raising health insurance premiums for employees by 19.1%.

Denver Public Schools

The largest school district in Colorado, facing a 26% increase in health coverage costs for its staff.

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What they’re saying

“It's definitely a burden that everybody's feeling right now. Our educators love this work. They want to be in the classrooms with their kids. And our teachers want to be there for our students, but it makes it very difficult when you have to worry about these increasing costs.”

— Rob Gould, President, Denver Classroom Teachers Association

“These are our educational support professionals. These are our bus drivers. These are our office professionals. These are our lunch ladies, and also our custodians, the people that are closest to the students, that support our students not just within the classroom, but throughout the school day. They're facing these types of increases as well, and so everybody is definitely feeling the pinch.”

— Rob Gould, President, Denver Classroom Teachers Association

What’s next

Gould said the Denver Classroom Teachers Association is hoping for voter support for a mill levy override, which could help mitigate some of the increased costs of health insurance premiums for school staff.

The takeaway

The double-digit hikes in health insurance costs for school employees in the Denver area highlight the growing financial pressures facing educators and support staff, who are already struggling with the high cost of living. These added expenses could exacerbate staffing challenges and teacher shortages if not addressed through local, state, and national policy solutions.