Colorado Voters Secure Healthy School Meals for All Children by Passing Propositions LL and MM

Save the Children Action Network Celebrates Landmark Victory for Kids’ Nutrition and Learning 

DENVER (November 4, 2025) – Today, Colorado voters clearly approved Propositions LL and MM, ensuring the continuation and strengthening of Healthy School Meals for All (HSMA), a groundbreaking program that guarantees every public school student has access to free, nutritious breakfast and lunch. 

With this historic vote, Coloradans reaffirmed their shared belief that every child deserves a healthy meal at school, no matter their ZIP code. Proposition LL allows the state to retain $12.4 million in existing funds for HSMA, while Proposition MM secures additional resources to strengthen the program, expanding access to locally sourced, made-from-scratch meals that support Colorado farmers, ranchers and school nutrition professionals. 

“When we invest in kids, we invest in Colorado’s future,” said Ana Bustamante, Colorado State Manager for Save the Children Action Network (SCAN). “Thanks to voters, every child will have access to healthy meals that support learning, health and dignity. Propositions LL and MM will keep kids fed, classrooms focused and our communities strong.” 

Since voters first approved Healthy School Meals for All in 2022, participation has grown by 30 percent statewide. Schools have reported better student focus and attendance, while families have felt relief from the burden of meal debt and food insecurity. 

With both measures now adopted, Colorado continues to lead the nation in child wellbeing and food security. The added funding for Proposition MM will help sustain the program’s long-term success, ensuring every school can continue offering fresh, high-quality meals that fuel learning and growth.  

“This victory belongs to every parent, teacher, farmer and advocate who stood up for Colorado’s kids,” Bustamante said. “Together, we proved that when communities unite around children’s wellbeing, we can achieve extraordinary things.” 

SCAN partnered with the Keep Kids Fed Colorado campaign and a broad coalition of parents, educators, local producers and child advocates to mobilize support for the measures through grassroots outreach, community events and voter education efforts. SCAN’s work included: 

• Speaking with almost 40,000 voters on the phone. 

• Text outreach to more than 35,000 voters statewide. 

• Direct engagement with more than 1,000 people at community events. 

• A significant and early contribution to Keep Kids Fed Colorado to bolster voter education and turnout efforts focused on children’s health and nutrition. 

About Save the Children Action Network (SCAN): 

Save the Children Action Network is committed to ensuring every child has a strong start in life. SCAN mobilizes grassroots advocates, supports bipartisan leaders, and advances policies that expand access to early learning and end child hunger in the U.S. and around the world.