D11 Bond Appears to Pass: Here's What COS Families Can Expect Next

Unofficial results from Tuesday's election show D11's $775 million school bond, Issue 4A, passing with 51.3% yes — 44,754 votes in favor, 42,464 against. If that holds, it would be the first successful D11 capital bond in more than 20 years, and one of the most significant investments in Colorado Springs public school facilities in a generation.

But here's what COS families need to understand right now: it's not official. The vote count you're seeing is unofficial, and El Paso County's formal canvass process — the verification and certification of election results — typically takes two to three weeks after Election Day. Until the county certifies, D11 can't start spending money, issuing bonds, or formally moving on any of the projects voters approved.

What the Bond Would Fund

If the results hold, the $775 million bond measure would fund several major projects across the district's 55 schools. Here's what D11 has outlined for the bond funds:

• New Holmes Middle School: The existing Holmes building has been identified as one of the most deteriorated facilities in the district. A new building has been a priority in D11's capital planning for years.
• HVAC upgrades at every D11 school: This is the biggest infrastructure commitment in the bond package. Heating and cooling systems at many D11 buildings are decades old — a problem families have heard about at school board meetings for years.
• Palmer and Coronado High School renovations: Both historic high schools are in need of significant structural and facilities updates.
• Library upgrades and other facility improvements across the district.

These aren't cosmetic changes. They're the kind of infrastructure investments that affect student health, teacher retention, and the daily experience of learning — and they've been deferred for a long time.

What the Timeline Looks Like

Even after certification, D11 families shouldn't expect construction to start next month. Here's a realistic picture of what comes after the canvass:

1. Canvass and certification — typically completed two to three weeks after Election Day, so late November at the earliest.
2. Bond sale — D11 would need to issue the bonds, which involves working with financial advisors and bond counsel. This process takes months.
3. Design and planning — before any shovel goes in the ground, architectural and engineering work has to be completed for each project.
4. Construction begins — realistically, some projects could begin in 2027, with others stretching well into the next decade.

The district's bond project page outlines priorities and phasing. Families with kids currently in D11 schools may see improvements come to their buildings during their children's enrollment — but it'll take time.

What's Next

The most important immediate step is watching the canvass. El Paso County's election results page will update as the count progresses. The county clerk's office typically posts canvass progress updates, and media outlets including the Colorado Springs Gazette have been tracking the race closely.

D11 itself hasn't made any formal post-election statements about construction timelines — which is appropriate, given that results aren't certified. Watch for official district communication once certification is complete.

We'll continue tracking this story as the canvass unfolds and results move toward official status. For COS families with kids in D11 schools, this is one of the most consequential votes in years — and the most important step right now is making sure every ballot is counted accurately.