At its regular meeting, the Westminster Public Schools (WPS) Board of Education unanimously passed a resolution endorsing the passage of Propositions LL and MM. These two statewide measures on the November 2025 ballot are aimed at securing sustained funding for Colorado’s Healthy School Meals for All program.

Board Treasurer Mary Beth Murphy, a former teacher, introduced the resolution calling the issue “very near and dear to my heart.” She pointed out that students who are hungry have a difficult time focusing on class work and hunger often leads to behavior problems.

In 2022 Colorado voters approved Proposition FF establishing the Healthy School Meals for All program, providing free meals for all students. This program is funded by limiting state income tax deductions for individuals earning over $300,000 per year. The measure was projected to raise up to $101 million, but due to the program's popularity, rising costs, and cuts in federal subsidies, it will run out of money at the end of the current school year. 

Proposition LL would allow the state to retain approximately $12.4 million in excess tax revenue under the original Proposition FF structure, while Proposition MM would generate $95 million in new revenues by further reducing state income tax deductions for those earning over $300,000 a year. If approved, the two measures would fully fund the healthy meals program and provide grants for school districts to buy food from local farmers and ranchers. More money would also be available to upgrade kitchen equipment and increase pay for some cafeteria employees.

Murphy said her support for the program comes from personal experience. As a teacher, she told colleagues she would often buy boxes of granola bars and other snacks to give to hungry students adding, “I would have children come to me and say, I didn’t have anything to eat last night and I would really like some food.”

Where to vote?

The deadline to vote is Tuesday, November 4, 2025. As of Wednesday October 29th, it is too late to mail in your ballot, but there are many ballot drop off locations that are open 24 hours, including at our own Dan Vallez Family Education Center located at 7125 Mariposa St., Denver, CO 80221.

VIEW ALL 24-HOUR DROP BOX LOCATIONS IN ADAMS COUNTY