D11's $775M Bond Measure Is on the November Ballot — What COS Families Need to Know
Colorado Springs School District 11 families have a significant decision on the November 3 ballot: a $775 million bond measure that would fund a wide range of upgrades across the district's aging school buildings.
The D11 school board voted 6-1 on August 5, 2026 to refer the measure to voters. If it passes, the bond would fund safety and security improvements, replacement of aging HVAC and air filtration systems, removal of asbestos and lead pipes, career and technical education (CTE) program renovations, classroom modernization, and library updates.
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Advertise hereWhat Would the Bond Pay For?
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Safety and Security | Building security upgrades across district facilities |
| HVAC and Air Filtration | Replacement of outdated heating, cooling, and ventilation systems |
| Asbestos and Lead | Removal of asbestos materials and lead pipes from aging buildings |
| CTE Renovations | Updated career and technical education spaces and equipment |
| Classroom Modernization | Infrastructure and technology updates in classrooms |
| Library Renovations | Modernized library spaces across district schools |
| Lease-Purchase Prepayment | Prepays existing obligations, freeing up mill levy override for teacher pay |
What Will It Cost Homeowners?
The district estimates the bond would cost a typical homeowner approximately $260 per year — roughly $6.50 per month per $100,000 of assessed property value. That estimate will vary based on your home's assessed value, which you can find on your El Paso County property tax statement.
The measure includes a requirement for an independent citizens' oversight committee to monitor how funds are spent, which is a standard feature of Colorado school bonds designed to provide taxpayer accountability.
The Teacher Pay Connection
One detail worth noting: the bond is structured to prepay existing lease-purchase obligations that D11 currently carries. By paying those off early, the district would free up mill levy override (MLO) dollars that are currently committed to debt service — and those freed-up funds can be directed toward teacher compensation.
D11 has faced teacher recruitment and retention challenges in recent years, and this mechanism is one way the bond is designed to address that indirectly without requiring a separate MLO vote.
What's Next
The vote is November 3, 2026. D11 has information available at d11.org, and the district has been holding community information sessions. The Gazette endorsed the measure on October 6. If you're in D11 and you're still deciding, now is a good time to review the specifics before your ballot arrives.
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