A New Education Tax Plan for Colorado

Arizona and Minnesota have both implemented successful education tax plans. Arizona and Minnesota differ in their approaches, but by combining the best from both states, a much more comprehensive plan can be created for Colorado.

IP-1-2001 January 2001)
Author: Pamela Benigno

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Executive Summary:

Arizona and Minnesota have both implemented successful education tax plans. Arizona and Minnesota differ in their approaches, but by combining the best from both states, a much more comprehensive plan can be created for Colorado.  Colorado should become a leader in the arena of education tax plans by adopting its own plan that includes the following:

  • Individuals would receive a nonrefundable limited tax credit for contributions to a public school.
  • Individuals would receive a nonrefundable limited tax credit for individual contributions to a qualified tuition scholarship organization.
  • Based on their income level, individuals with school-age children would receive either a limited refundable tax credit or limited tax deduction for education-related expenses.
  • All individuals with school-age children could qualify for a limited tax deduction for non public school tuition