Colorado voters have given the green light to Propositions LL and MM. Proposition LL received strong support with 64% of voters in favor and Proposition MM passed comfortably with 57% of voters in support.
Both measures aim to strengthen existing programs to ensure students have access to nutritious meals, such as "Healthy School Meals for All" and to support SNAP benefits for K–12 students across Colorado’s public schools.
“Healthy School Meals for All” provides free breakfast and lunch to all public school students, regardless of family income. Originally approved by Colorado voters under Proposition FF in 2022, the system creates a system in which every public K-12 student in participating districts receives free breakfast and lunch. To fund the initiative, income tax deductions were limited for individuals earning $300,000 or more in federal adjusted gross income.
Greeley resident Kennedy Straushiem says that having access to free breakfast and lunch at school was a lifesaver for her and her siblings growing up.
“There were weeks my parents didn’t have a lot for groceries, so we didn’t have a lot to take for lunch,” Strausheim said. “In fourth grade, we were able to start getting free lunches at school and it was a huge help for my family.”
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program offers additional aid for low-income households in Weld County outside of school. SNAP allows these families to purchase groceries by providing a monthly benefit on an Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) card. The program serves as a vital part of local food security efforts for those in need in the Greeley community.
“Both of my parents are educators and I’ve seen how SNAP has worked in their schools,” Strausheim said. “Kids shouldn’t have to worry about where their next meal is coming from.”
Proposition LL will allow Colorado to keep and spend $12.4 million that has already been collected under the 2022 measure and will not raise taxes. This will allow continued access for low-income families to get free meals while at school and not worry about the burden of breakfast or packing school lunches in the morning.
With Proposition MM in motion, new revenue will be raised by tightening certain state income tax deductions for Coloradans who earn $300,000 or more annually. These extra dollars collected will support school meal funding and the state’s food assistance programs. The change now generates up to $95 million each year, ensuring every public school student continues to receive free breakfast and lunch.
Beyond helping families, the measures also ease the burden on teachers and cafeteria staff who often see the effects of food insecurity firsthand. Jayme Peck, a first-grade public school teacher in Jefferson County, expressed her appreciation for these measures as they affect her students daily in the classroom.
"Eliminating lunch debt and ensuring every single child has a reliable meal takes a massive mental load off our staff and allows us to focus entirely on learning," Peck said.
In Colorado, the message is clear. Voters have reaffirmed that free school meals are essential for all K–12 public school students. Moving forward, schools will continue the “Healthy Meals for All” and SNAP programs with the support of Propositions LL and MM, ensuring these initiatives remain funded and secure.
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