Jeffco Public Schools Measure 5A to Face Recount After Failing by Five Votes
The $73 million funding proposal is losing by a razor-thin margin, triggering an automatic recount that will delay final results until early December.
By Neha Kapoor ·
A $73 million school funding measure for Jeffco Public Schools is headed for an automatic recount after failing to reach the required threshold by just five votes as of Monday. The district, which serves as Colorado’s second-largest K-12 system, is awaiting the final tally of overseas ballots due Friday. That small margin is expected to trigger a mandatory recount under current rules.
The recount threshold for Ballot Issue 5A is set at 754 votes, which represents 0.5% of the leading candidate’s total. With the race currently losing by a single-digit margin, the district’s spokeswoman Devra Ashby confirmed via email that the results would not become official until Dec. 4 if the recount proceeds. She noted that the voting gap narrowed significantly over the weekend.
Jeffco Board of Education President Michelle Applegate spoke with reporters last week about the high voter turnout. She stated, “I really appreciate that voters turned out this election.” She added that district leaders had consistently told the community that the decision rested with the voters.
The district placed two mill levy overrides on this year’s ballot. The goal was to raise $133 million to address a long-standing budget deficit caused by declining enrollment. Mill levy overrides allow school districts to collect more property tax revenue than the state’s standard per-pupil funding rate.
If Ballot Issue 5A passes, Jeffco Public Schools plans to use the $73 million to raise employee salaries and expand career and technical education programs for students. The district extends into Broomfield and has faced financial pressure because its per-pupil funding lags behind neighboring metro Denver districts.
The second measure, Ballot Issue 5B, fared worse. It sought to raise $60 million for building maintenance, including parking lot and cooling system repairs. As of Monday, 5B failed by a margin of 7,563 votes, with 51% of ballots cast against it. This was the first time in eight years that Jeffco Public Schools asked voters for a tax increase.
Interim Superintendent Rob Stein said the district’s main financial challenge stems from lower per-pupil funding compared to its peers. He declined to specify exactly what cuts might occur if 5A fails, stating that officials need to consider what the next year looks like. The district expects a deficit of at least $13 million during the 2027-28 academic year without the new funding.
