Stapleton praises lawmakers for investing in school safety

DENVER, CO—Colorado Treasurer Walker Stapleton, a Republican candidate for Governor, today praised state legislators who are working to add $35 million to the state budget for school security upgrades – and urged lawmakers fighting against this modest investment in the safety of students and educators to rethink their opposition.

“With around $1 billion in new money available this year, adding $35 million to keep kids and teachers safe should be the easiest budget amendment to pass in years,” Stapleton said. “Lawmakers pushing for this investment deserve loud applause for putting dollars behind one of the central challenges facing Colorado and our nation.”

“It’s stunning that any lawmaker would object to $35 million to give local school districts more tools to keep students and educators safe, particularly when these legislators sit in a building secured by metal detectors and armed state troopers,” he said. “It’s a rare breed of out-of-touch politician who will loudly fight against giving kids and teachers just some of the security protections that they receive on a daily basis.”

Stapleton urged all lawmakers to come together behind giving local schools options to consider ways to make local schools safer.

“One of my central priorities as Governor will be to work closely with school boards, educators, parents and law enforcement to make our schools safe and secure and give students and teachers the peace of mind they deserve so they can focus on teaching and learning.”