Colorado School District Faces $5.8M Funding Cut

Mesa County School District 51 could lose millions in Specific Ownership Tax revenue under proposed state changes.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 7:39pm

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The state of Colorado is considering a change that would redirect more Specific Ownership Tax (SOT) revenue from local school district bond and mill levy overrides back into the statewide school finance formula. This could cost Mesa County School District 51 around $5.8 million, the equivalent of funding 58 teaching positions.

Why it matters

The proposed changes to the SOT funding would further strain an already underfunded school district, as Colorado public education is already underfunded by $3.5 billion annually. This could force the district to make difficult budget cuts that impact programs and services for students.

The details

The Specific Ownership Tax is a tax paid when registering vehicles in Colorado, with a portion of that revenue going into the statewide school finance formula. The state is now considering redirecting more of that SOT revenue away from local school district bond and mill levy overrides and back into the state formula, which could cost District 51 around $5.8 million.

  • The state is currently considering these proposed changes to the SOT funding.

The players

Mesa County School District 51

The public school district serving Grand Junction, Colorado and surrounding areas.

Melanie Trujillo

The Chief Financial Officer for Mesa County School District 51.

Andrea Haitz

The School Board Secretary for Mesa County School District 51.

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What they’re saying

“It's a shell game, right? You put the ball under one cup and then you're just moving it under a different cup, is what they're trying to do.”

— Andrea Haitz, School Board Secretary

“Local Specific Ownership Tax was never intended to serve as a statewide budget stabilization tool. Maintaining these dollars locally is critical to sustaining the programs and services our community expects and values.”

— Melanie Trujillo, Chief Financial Officer

What’s next

The proposed changes to the Specific Ownership Tax funding are still in the early stages, and nothing has been finalized yet. The school district plans to continue advocating against the changes that could cost them millions in critical funding.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the ongoing challenges of school funding in Colorado, where districts like Mesa County 51 are already among the lowest funded in the state. Any further cuts to revenue sources like the Specific Ownership Tax could force difficult budget decisions that impact educational programs and services for students.