Endorsements

At Denver Families Action, we work alongside the community to make endorsements in support of public education—including ballot measures, candidates, and initiatives—that align with our values and policy priorities. These endorsements are shaped by what we hear directly from the community.

As an organization that works with Denver Public Schools families, educators, alumni, and advocates, our work is rooted in listening to the community, understanding the public education issues they care about most, and empowering them to lead in the policy decisions that affect their lives.

We also believe that leadership matters. The individuals who hold decision-making power—whether on the school board, in district administration, or through public office—play a critical role in shaping the future of our schools. Strong, community-centered leadership can drive meaningful change, ensure accountability, and help create a more equitable and responsive public education system.

Candidate Endorsements

During each DPS Board of Education election, DFA endorses candidates who reflect our core values: equity, student success, and meaningful community engagement.

Our endorsement process for the DPS Board of Education is designed to be thorough, inclusive, and values-driven. We invite all declared candidates to participate in a three-step process that ensures community voices are at the center of our decision-making:

First, candidates submit detailed written responses to our comprehensive questionnaire.
Next, they participate in an in-depth interview with a diverse community panel composed of Denver Families Action (DFA) staff, DPS families, educators, alumni, and school leaders.
Finally, an DFA endorsement panel—consisting of DFA staff and a DFA board designee—makes the final determination.

Through this process, we aim to support candidates who not only reflect our core values but also demonstrate a deep understanding of the challenges facing DPS. Endorsed candidates must present a thoughtful, comprehensive vision for the future of our district and show a strong commitment to building a better future for all students and schools.

DFA is committed to a transparent, inclusive, and fair candidate endorsement process that centers the voices of the Denver community. We uphold this commitment by:

Developing a clear and consistent set of criteria for evaluating candidates.
Inviting all declared candidates to participate in the endorsement process.
Collecting and reviewing candidate materials, including responses to our questionnaire , campaign literature, campaign website and public statements.
Conducting in-person interviews with the community panel and DFA staff with candidates who accept our invitation.
Ensuring transparency by providing meaningful insight into our process for the public.
Making endorsement decisions based on all established criteria, with input from a diverse panel of community advocates—including families, educators, alumni and school leaders—alongside DFA staff and our Board of Directors.
Publicly announcing endorsement decisions through our website, newsletters and online channels.

Candidate Endorsement Timeline

Our candidate endorsement process typically runs from June through August of school board election years. During this period, all candidates who have filed with the Colorado Secretary of State are invited to participate.

Issue Endorsements

At DFA, we stand behind the issues that matter most to students and their families.

Through our issue endorsements, we uplift policies that reflect the lived experiences and priorities of Denver’s families, educators, and students and that align with our values: educational equity, student success, and community engagement. Whether it’s advocating for increased school funding, expanded mental health support, or equitable access to high-quality public education, our endorsements are rooted in what families say they need most. These aren’t just policy positions—they’re a reflection of our shared commitment to a public education system that truly supports every student’s success.

Endorsements

Candidate Endorsements

Candidate Endorsement Timeline

Issue Endorsements

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