Colorado Proposition LL / MM (2025)
YES / FOR. Proposition LL is a measure that would retain funds from the original Proposition FF to provide healthy school meals, originally passed by voters in 2022. Proposition MM is a measure that will expand the original program.
Proposition LL: Without raising taxes, may the state keep and spend all revenue generated by the 2022 voter-approved state tax deduction limits on individuals with incomes of $300,000 or more and maintain these deduction limits in order to continue funding the healthy school meals for all program, which pays for public schools to offer free breakfast and lunch to all students in kindergarten through twelfth grade?
Proposition MM: SHALL STATE TAXES BE INCREASED BY $95 MILLION ANNUALLY BY A CHANGE TO THE COLORADO REVISED STATUTES TO SUPPORT ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD FOR COLORADO KIDS AND FAMILIES, INCLUDING THE HEALTHY SCHOOL MEALS FOR ALL PROGRAM, AND, IN CONNECTION THEREWITH, INCREASING STATE TAXABLE INCOME ONLY FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE A FEDERAL TAXABLE INCOME OF $300,000 OR MORE BY LIMITING ITEMIZED OR STANDARD STATE INCOME TAX DEDUCTIONS TO $1,000 FOR SINGLE TAX RETURN FILERS AND $2,000 FOR JOINT TAX RETURN FILERS FOR THE PURPOSES OF FULLY FUNDING THE HEALTHY SCHOOL MEALS FOR ALL PROGRAM TO CONTINUE PAYING FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO OFFER FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCH TO ALL PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENTS WHILE ALSO INCREASING WAGES FOR EMPLOYEES WHO PREPARE AND SERVE SCHOOL MEALS, HELPING SCHOOLS USE BASIC, NUTRITIOUS INGREDIENTS, INSTEAD OF PROCESSED PRODUCTS, AND ENSURING THAT COLORADO GROWN AND RAISED PRODUCTS ARE PART OF SCHOOL MEALS; SUPPORTING THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (SNAP) THAT HELPS LOW-INCOME COLORADO FAMILIES AFFORD GROCERIES; AND ALLOWING THE STATE TO RETAIN AND SPEND AS A VOTER-APPROVED REVENUE CHANGE ALL ADDITIONAL TAX REVENUE GENERATED BY THESE TAX DEDUCTION CHANGES?
YES / FOR. Proposition LL is a measure that would retain funds from the original Proposition FF to provide healthy school meals, originally passed by voters in 2022. Proposition MM is a measure that will expand the original program to fully cover the goals of the original program, which includes funding for higher-than-expected participation, increasing wages for food workers, and accounting for inflation experienced in the past several years.
There’s not much new to say about Proposition LL and MM, so I’ll summarize my position and give a few highlights:
- The progressive nature of revenue here is more important than ever with federal tax cuts and inequality rising. Colorado needs to move to more progressive income taxes (like a proposed 2026 progressive income taxation measure) and Massachusetts’ 4% surtax on taxable income over $1 million.
- The original idea behind Proposition FF — reducing tax reductions for high-income households, and providing free meals for all public school students — has been and is still one of the most progressive statewide ballot issues in recent memory.
- “Research shows what we’re seeing firsthand: students who have consistent access to healthy meals perform better academically, have improved attendance, and experience fewer health issues. Receiving a school lunch reduces poor health by at least 29% and is linked with fewer visits to the school nurse & reductions in behavioral problems. These benefits don’t just help kids today; they prepare them for brighter futures.” – Healthy School Meals for All: A Smart Investment in Colorado’s Kids
On the revenue side, here is how tax deductions would change for high-earners in Colorado to fund healthy school lunches for kids:
Additional Reporting, Commentary, and Sources
Colorado Blue Book 2025 – Proposition LL / MM
Colorado election 2025: Voters to decide two ballot measures on free school meals – GJ Sentinel