There was a time in the state legislature when the two parties found common ground on important issues. Though it may seem a quaint relic of the past, one issue where there was broad agreement was Colorado’s groundbreaking system of public-school choice, including our dynamic system of charter public schools.

For decades, including during my time serving in the Colorado House of Representatives, we understood and appreciated the need for families to have a broader menu of choices for their children’s education beyond just the neighborhood school they were assigned to attend. Charter schools — locally governed, entrepreneurial, and accountable public schools that design their own curricula and programming — are a popular and valued pillar of school choice throughout Colorado, including on the Western Slope.

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It was clear then, and it’s still the case today, that whether a legislator represents a big city, a bustling suburb, or a more rural Western Slope community, they all have families who benefit from having school alternatives. In fact, I am involved to launch a charter school in Montrose.

Despite the decades-long successful track record of the charter school movement across our state, it was concerning to learn a bill under consideration at the State Capitol threatens to close off this important and positive educational option.

This very lengthy bill, House Bill 24-1363, would upend the fair and balanced system that allows local school districts to review and grant charters. It would remove a reasonable avenue for appeal if a charter is not granted. It would open new routes for charters to be unfairly revoked without due process. And it would end a fiscally responsible option for school districts to allow charters to use vacant or underutilized buildings.

Those are just a few of the concerning provisions in this terribly flawed bill.

The good news is charter public school teachers, parents and students have heard this urgent alarm and are speaking out, sharing all the benefits that come when parents and educators are empowered. Legislators from across the state are hearing this concern and, as a former state representative, I can say nothing gets an elected official’s attention quicker than upset constituents.

Here are some of the positive aspects of Colorado’s charter school movement shared with Democratic and Republican legislators at the Capitol:

• Charter schools are popular. Across the state, 135,000 students — or 15% of the entire school population — are enrolled in 261 charter schools.
• Charter schools are diverse, enrolling more minority students on a percentage basis than traditional public schools.
• Charter school teaching positions are sought after by educators.  Teachers and families who choose this option appreciate their ability to be more creative and innovative in charter classrooms.
• Charter schools are performing well academically. According to a Harvard University study, Colorado charter schools are among the best performing in the country, second only to Alaska.

The fact is these and other statistics show charter schools are not only a very positive option for more than 100,000 Colorado families, but they also present much-needed competition within the public school system. Competition, though challenging, spurs all schools to improve and be more attractive to families considering their options.

Gov. Polis, a progressive Democrat, has been a major player in the bipartisan consensus that charter schools are good for Colorado families and good for Colorado. In fact, he is a charter school founder. Bravo to our governor for stating his opposition to House Bill 1363.

Colorado has always been a land of freedom and opportunity. School choice and charter schools have opened new doors to children for decades. Parents, educators and community leaders throughout the state hope those doors remain open for decades to come.

Kay Alexander served in the Colorado House of Representatives from 1996-2002 and is a founding board member of the Montrose Classical Academy.