DENVER (KDVR) — Colorado voters decide on Amendment 80, which would be enshrined school choice in the Colorado Constitution if it passed.

Amendment 80 would create a constitutional right to school choice for K-12 children and create the right of parents to direct their children’s education.

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It would also change the definition of school choice to include traditional neighborhood public schools, charter schools, private schools, home schools, open enrollment options and future innovations in education.

This amendment will have no immediate impact on how schools operate in Colorado, as the state already has many school choice laws. However, the Legislative Staff Council noted that it may affect how lawmakers develop school choice policies in the future or lead to changes in state law and local school district policy through court interpretations.

Proponents of the amendment argue that Amendment 80 protects existing school choice rights from any future legislative efforts by enshrining it in the constitution.

However, opponents argue that the measure could conflict with current law that prohibits the use of public funding for private education and would also require court interpretation. They also argue that it could lead to funds being diverted from public schools to private and home schools.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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