FREE HIGHER EDUCATION FOR ALL COLORADANS
EDUCATION & OPPORTUNITY
Investing in Colorado’s Greatest Resource: Our People
Education shouldn’t bankrupt families, and our young people deserve both knowledge and a voice in their future. Colorado can lead the nation in creating pathways to success for every resident.
No Coloradan should graduate college drowning in debt. With the assault on the Department of Education, gutting the department, we have to look after our own. I will provide free college and trade school education funded through innovative revenue streams – without burdening taxpayers or taking money from parks and conservation. We’ll create NEW revenue sources that make Colorado the national leader in accessible education.
This isn’t just about degrees – it’s about giving every Coloradan the skills to thrive in tomorrow’s economy, whether that’s in a boardroom or on a construction site.
Growing up hungry in the projects, I know what it means when food costs spiral out of control. Eggs and milk are almost at gold prices. We’ll create state-run grocery stores to compete with big chains, but our prices will be lower and our food comes directly from Colorado farmers and local businesses who can’t get their products into King Soopers.
We’ll start in rural communities (then expand to metro Denver) where families drive over an hour just to reach a Walmart. Soon-to-expire items get donated to food banks and homeless shelters – creating a complete ecosystem of food security.
TOTAL FUNDING NEEDED: $2.8 BILLION ANNUALLY
- Public Universities (CU, CSU, etc.): $1.9 billion annually
- Community Colleges: $650 million annually
- Trade Schools: $250 million annually
COMPREHENSIVE FUNDING STRATEGY
1. COLORADO STATE GAMBLING & WAGERING APP
Revenue Target: $500 million annually
“Bet on Colorado’s Future – Every Wager Funds Free Education”
Phase 1: Sports Betting Platform
- Colorado Teams Focus: Broncos, Nuggets, Avalanche, Rapids, Rockies
- College Sports: CU, CSU, Air Force betting (where legal)
- Unique Colorado Events: Ski competitions, rodeos, local tournaments
- Revenue Projection: $250 million annually
Phase 2: Online Casino Games
- Colorado-Themed Slots: Rocky Mountain slots, gold rush games
- Virtual Table Games: Poker, blackjack, roulette
- Live Dealer Games: Broadcast from Colorado casinos
- Revenue Projection: $175 million annually
Phase 3: Innovation Features
- Daily Fantasy Sports: Colorado-focused leagues
- Community Challenges: Town vs. town friendly competitions
- Civic Engagement: Predict ballot measure outcomes (for prizes)
- Revenue Projection: $75 million annually
Competitive Advantages:
- No Corporate Profits: All revenue goes to education, not shareholders
- Better Odds: State can offer better payouts than private companies
- Responsible Gaming: State-controlled addiction prevention programs
- Local Integration: Connect to Black Hawk/Central City physical casinos
2. NEW EDUCATION LOTTERY SYSTEM
Revenue Target: $800 million annually
Colorado Education Lottery Games (Separate from Conservation Lottery)
- “Scholarship Millions”: Weekly $1 million education jackpot
- “Trade School Dreams”: Daily games funding vocational training
- “College Bound”: Scratch-offs with education themes
- Revenue Projection: $350 million annually
Multi-State Education Lottery Partnership
- Partner States: Focus on states prioritizing education funding
- “American Dream Lottery”: Education-focused multi-state games
- Cross-State Student Exchange: Winners get education credits in any partner state
- Revenue Projection: $300 million annually
International Online Education Games
- Global “Learn in Colorado” Lottery: International players fund Colorado education
- Study Abroad Prizes: Winners get Colorado education experiences
- Revenue Projection: $150 million annually
3. CORPORATE EDUCATION PARTNERSHIPS
Revenue Target: $400 million annually
Business Training Tax Credits
- Companies get tax credits for funding employee education
- Corporate Apprenticeships: Employers sponsor trade school programs
- Technology Partnerships: Google, Microsoft, Amazon fund tech training
Employer-Sponsored Games
- Corporate Challenge Leagues: Businesses sponsor teams, fund education
- “Train Your Workforce” Programs: Companies bet on employee success
- Professional Development Wagering: Predict industry certifications
4. FEDERAL EDUCATION GRANTS
Revenue Target: $600 million annually
Pell Grant State Matching: Federal government matches state education investments
Workforce Development Grants: Federal funds for trade school programs
Innovation Grants: Federal funding for pioneering education models
5. EDUCATION ENDOWMENT FUND
Revenue Target: $500 million annually
Initial Investment: $8 billion from gambling/lottery surplus and bonds
Conservative ROI: 6.25% annually generates ongoing revenue
Growing Fund: Reinvest 1.25%, use 5% for education
TOTAL REVENUE: $2.8 BILLION ANNUALLY
- State Gambling/Wagering App: $500 million (18%)
- Education Lottery System: $800 million (29%)
- Corporate Partnerships: $400 million (14%)
- Federal Grants: $600 million (21%)
- Endowment Returns: $500 million (18%)
PROGRAM STRUCTURE
UNIVERSAL COVERAGE – NO INCOME LIMITS
What’s Covered:
- Tuition and Fees: 100% covered at all Colorado public universities, community colleges, trade schools
- Books and Materials: Up to $1,500 annually per student
- Trade School Equipment: Tools and equipment provided
- Living Assistance: Need-based grants up to $8,000 annually
Eligibility Requirements:
- Colorado Residency: 2+ years before enrollment
- Academic Requirements: High school diploma/GED, maintain 2.5 GPA
- No Income Limits: Universal program for all Coloradansining
TRADE SCHOOL EMPHASIS
Expanded Programs:
- Green Energy Jobs: Solar installation, wind turbine maintenance, battery technology
- Healthcare Support: Doctors, nurses, medical assistants, dental hygienists, pharmacy technicians
- Advanced Manufacturing: 3D printing, robotics, precision machining
- Construction Trades: Electricians, plumbers, HVAC, sustainable building
- Coding: We need to train and provide education for jobs of the future i.e. programming languages/programmers, cyber security, it jobs
Industry Integration:
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- Guaranteed Job Placement: 90% placement rate within 6 months of graduation
- Apprenticeship Programs: Paid apprenticeships during final year
- Equipment Partnerships: Industry donates latest equipment for training
IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE
Year 1 (2027): Foundation
- Launch State Gambling App: Sports betting phase
- Pilot Education Lottery: Launch first education-themed games
- Corporate Partnerships: Secure initial $100 million commitments
- Free Community College: Cover 25,000 students
- Revenue Target: $1.2 billion
Year 2 (2028): Expansion
- Full Casino Games: Launch online casino platform
- Multi-State Lottery: Partner with 2-3 states
- Expanded Coverage: Free tuition at all community colleges and trade schools
- Revenue Target: $2.0 billion
Year 3 (2029): Full Implementation
- Complete Platform: All gambling/lottery features operational
- International Online: Launch global education lottery
- Universal Coverage: Free tuition at all Colorado public institutions
- Endowment Established: $8 billion education fund operational
- Revenue Target: $2.8+ billion
ECONOMIC IMPACT
Student Benefits
- Debt Elimination: $1.67 billion annually in avoided student debt
- Economic Freedom: Graduates buy homes, start families instead of paying loans
- Career Flexibility: Students choose passion careers, not just high-paying jobs
State Economic Growth
- Workforce Development: 15,000 additional skilled graduates annually
- Business Attraction: Companies relocate to Colorado for educated workforce
- Population Growth: Families move to Colorado for free education
- Tax Revenue Growth: Educated workforce generates higher income taxes
Job Creation
- Direct Employment: 2,500 jobs in gambling/lottery operations
- Tech Sector Growth: 1,500 software development jobs
- Education Sector: 3,000 additional teaching and support positions
- Multiplier Effect: 10,000+ indirect jobs from economic activity
RESPONSIBLE GAMING & SAFEGUARDS
Addiction Prevention
- Mandatory Spending Limits: Daily/weekly/monthly caps
- Self-Exclusion Options: Easy opt-out mechanisms
- Counseling Services: Free gambling addiction treatment
- Education Integration: Responsible gaming curriculum in schools
Revenue Protection
- Fraud Prevention: Advanced security systems
- Audit Requirements: Monthly independent audits
- Reserve Funds: 15% of revenue held for economic downturns
- Legislative Oversight: Quarterly reporting to state legislature
POLITICAL STRATEGY
Coalition Building
- Education Groups: Teachers unions, parent organizations
- Business Community: Workforce development benefits
- Students: Current and prospective college students
- Gaming Industry: Jobs and regulated growth
Addressing Opposition
- Conservative Concerns: “No tax increases, self-sustaining program”
- Progressive Concerns: “Universal access, no means testing”
- Gaming Concerns: “State-controlled, not corporate profits”
- Budget Hawks: “Revenue-positive, reduces state education costs”
NATIONAL LEADERSHIP
Colorado becomes the first state to:
- Combine gambling revenue with education lottery for comprehensive funding
- Offer truly universal free higher education (no income limits)
- Create self-sustaining education funding without tax increases
- Integrate trade schools equally with four-year universities
“While other states debate how to fund education, Colorado is leading by creating new revenue streams that make college free for everyone. We’re not taking money from parks or raising taxes – we’re innovating our way to educational excellence.” – Erik Underwood
TEACHING CRITICAL THINKING AND CIVICS AGAIN
We need to teach critical thinking and civics in our classrooms again. I’m a big proponent of civics education – our young people need to understand how government works, their rights, and their responsibilities as citizens.
Critical thinking isn’t partisan – it’s essential. Whether students become doctors, electricians, or entrepreneurs, they need to think clearly and participate meaningfully in our democracy.
