Voters in Colorado Springs will head to the polls tomorrow to decide the future of School District 11, the city’s largest and most diverse district. Three at-large seats are up for election, and the outcome will shape the direction of policy on curriculum, budgeting, and student support for years to come.

District 11 serves more than 22,000 students across 58 schools. With enrollment declines, budget pressures, and debates over classroom priorities, the stakes in this year’s race are high.

The Candidates
The following individuals are on the ballot for the three open at-large seats:

• Charles Johnson – Nonpartisan candidate, registered Democrat. Endorsed by the Colorado Education Association and the Colorado Springs Education Association. Running as part of the “Champions for D11” slate.
• LeAnn Baca Bartlett – Nonpartisan candidate, also part of the “Champions for D11” slate. Advocates for equity, teacher support, and student achievement.
• Michael Carsten – Nonpartisan candidate, completing the “Champions for D11” slate. Focuses on fiscal responsibility and community partnerships.
• Additional Independent/Conservative Candidates – Several other contenders are on the ballot, emphasizing parental rights, curriculum transparency, and budget oversight. (Names vary by source; official ballots list up to six candidates in total.)

What’s at Stake

The new board will be tasked with addressing declining enrollment, balancing budgets, and navigating ongoing debates over technology use, curriculum transparency, and student safety. With turnout in off-year elections typically low, each ballot cast could prove decisive.

Election officials report that more than 58,000 ballots have already been returned in El Paso County, representing about 11 percent of those mailed. Final turnout is expected to climb as voters make last-minute decisions.