In the 2019-2020 school year, there were 11,913 more children enrolled in kindergarten than in the previous year, which the Colorado Department of Education attributed to a new full-day kindergarten funding law.

Prior to House Bill 19-1262, the state only paid for 58% of the cost of kindergarten. Now, the cost is covered completely.

“Thanks to full-day kindergarten, 25% more Colorado families are able to prepare their kids for success with kindergarten, and the rest are saving hundreds of dollars each month that they can now put to other uses or save,” wrote Gov. Jared Polis on Facebook.

Overall public school enrollment from preschool through 12th grade increased by less than one-quarter of one percent, for a total student population of 913,223. Denver, Jefferson and Douglas counties were the three districts with the highest enrollment. The statewide student body became slightly less white and more multiracial, CDE reported.

Ninety-three of the state’s 185 school districts, plus its juvenile detention centers, saw drops in enrollment. On the flip side, District 49 in El Paso County experienced a nearly 7% growth rate, with 1,493 additional students. District 27J in Brighton added 536 students, resulting in the second highest growth.

There was also an increase in the number of special education students, who now represent 11.6% of public school students, as well as a rise in the number of students eligible for free and reduced-price lunch. Nearly four in 10 students qualify for the income-based program.