As Coloradans head to the polls for pivotal school board elections, a surge of untraceable political spending—commonly referred to as “dark money”—is drawing scrutiny from educators, parents, and transparency advocates. While Denver has become a high-profile battleground, recent reports confirm that Colorado Springs is also experiencing a significant influx of outside funding, reshaping local education politics.

The Statewide Surge: Denver as Ground Zero

In Denver, the school board elections have attracted unprecedented financial attention. According to reporting by Jenny Brundin of Colorado Public Radio and Mike DeGuire of the Colorado Times Recorder, the independent expenditure (IE) committee Better Leaders, Stronger Schools has already raised over $500,000 this cycle. In 2023, the same group spent nearly $1.4 million to support candidates aligned with Denver Families Action (DFA), a pro-charter advocacy organization.

DFA itself contributed $950,000 to the IE in 2023 and has already donated $400,000 this year. Their opponents, including the Denver Classroom Teachers Association (DCTA), are also active, but with significantly smaller budgets. The result is a lopsided financial landscape where outside money may drown out grassroots voices.

Colorado Springs: A Parallel Battle

While Denver garners headlines, Colorado Springs is facing its own dark money dilemma. The Springs Opportunity Fund, a political group with opaque funding sources, has spent over $48,000 on direct mail campaigns supporting conservative candidates in Academy School District 20. This group has a documented history of backing Republican-aligned candidates in both city and school board elections.

Further investigation reveals that the Springs Opportunity Fund received $180,000 from Colorado Springs Forward, another dark money organization. These funds were used to influence races in District 11, District 49, and D20, all of which have multiple seats up for election this November.

The Colorado Springs Gazette has described the current election climate as one of “sharp elbows and dark money,” noting that these tactics are becoming normalized in local politics.

What’s at Stake?

The implications of these elections are far-reaching. School boards control curriculum decisions, budget allocations, teacher contracts, and policies on issues like book bans, diversity programs, and student discipline. In Colorado Springs, where districts like D11 and D20 serve tens of thousands of students, the ideological direction of the board could shape education policy for years to come.

Critics argue that dark money undermines local democracy. “When millionaires and billionaires from outside Colorado shape our school board, it’s no longer a community decision,” said one parent activist in Denver. Similar sentiments are echoed in Colorado Springs, where residents have expressed concern over the lack of transparency and the growing influence of anonymous donors.

Legal But Controversial

Independent expenditures are legal under Colorado law, provided they are not coordinated directly with candidates. However, the lack of donor disclosure has prompted calls for reform. Advocates are urging lawmakers to strengthen campaign finance laws and close loopholes that allow organizations to shield their contributors.

Denver voters have previously passed campaign finance reform measures, but enforcement remains inconsistent. With the 2025 elections highlighting the scale of the issue, state legislators are expected to revisit the topic in the upcoming session.

Looking Ahead

As ballots are cast and results tallied, the role of dark money in shaping school board outcomes will remain a central issue. Whether in Denver or Colorado Springs, the debate over transparency, local control, and the future of public education is far from over.