A national group has spent more than $390,000 on television ads in opposition of a proposal to enshrine school choice in the Colorado Constitution.   

If approved, Amendment 80 would add a section to the Colorado Constitution stating that parents have the right to choose the right form of education for their child, including charter, private, and home schools.  

Public School Strong allocated the majority of its at least $390,140 advertising budget to 11 News in Colorado Springs, with additional expenditures of $34,080 and $150,455 on Colorado Springs’ Fox 21 and KRDO, respectively.

The issue committee also has contracts for ad space with Denver’s 9News, Channel 7, News5, and CBS Colorado, as well as Sterling-based KCDO. 

Although the specific amounts for these agreements were not listed, it is estimated that the total spending on ads in Colorado exceeds $400,000

Public School Strong is as an initiative of HEAL Together, a North Carolina-based coalition that advocates for “honest, accurate, safe, and fully funded public education.” The organization has expanded its efforts to several other states, including Colorado, Ohio, and Connecticut.     

The Colorado branch has received $425,000 in contributions from the Colorado Education Association, $250,000 from the education advocacy group Stand for Children, and $76,247 from Educators for Equity, according to Open Secrets. 

The committee supporting Amendment 80, School Choice for Every Child, has not purchased any radio or television advertisements, according to data from the Federal Communications Commission. Open Secrets does not show any donations for the organization. 

The amendment was introduced by Advance Colorado, a nonprofit organization that advocates for legislative measures related to education, public safety, and fiscal responsibility. The amendment needs to receive at least 55% voter approval to pass.