A sea of red shirts, waving signs and banners spread out around the state Capitol on Friday as thousands of Colorado teachers and their supporters rallied in support of increased state funding for public education.

Teachers and their supporters began streaming toward the Capitol before 9 a.m. Their ranks swelled to more than 6,000 by midday, and passing motorists honked their support as they drove past the rally at mid-day.

Gov. John Hickenlooper briefly addressed the teachers, vowing to improve funding.

“We see you,” he said. “We hear you.”

Retired teacher Marianne Scott said she’s proud that teachers are finally standing up and fighting for better funding.

“Is Colorado a ‘backwater’ state or a state focused on prosperity for all?” she asked.

Monument Elementary teacher Maria Johnson came from Colorado Springs to protest a lack of school funding.

“I have to buy supplies for my entire class,” she said. “It’s just sad.”

“New teachers today can’t afford a house,” said Janet Nord, a teacher at Range View High School. “Even though we didn’t get into it for the money, we should still be able to make a living.”

Jessica Crawford teaches an online Chinese language course to afford teaching in Roaring Fork. She also lives in subsidized housing provided by her district. She loves her bosses and kids.

“We just need more funding,” Crawford said. “I wanted to be here to add my voice.”

Ella Wonder, a 14-year-old student at Range View High School, said she was happy to be at the rally to support teachers.

“My mother is a teacher, and I know how much she struggles with funding and I believe education is important to make America better in the future,” Wonder said.

Naomi Umstot, a teacher at Hinkley High School in Aurora is at #teacherwalkout because she wants more funding for the students. “Classrooms are overcrowded. When you have that many there’s no learning any more,” pic.twitter.com/u5AT9MRdfM — Amanda Trejos (@amandatrecon) April 27, 2018

Friday’s rally with teachers from nearly 30 school districts follows a smaller but spirited gathering at the Capitol on Thursday, when thousands of teachers from Douglas and Jefferson counties marched, chanted and even partied a bit.

School districts canceled classes because there won’t be enough teachers, meaning that at least 600,000 students are enjoying a spring day off Friday. Many of the teachers took a personal day off to attend the rallies this week.

The Colorado Education Association said the walkouts are needed to alert residents and lawmakers about the paltry status of school funding in Colorado. The state’s schools, currently underfunded by $822 million, are $2,700 below the national average in per-pupil funding, the CEA said.

Also, only Oklahoma and Arizona spend less than Colorado on services for students with special needs.

Elena Espino shows her support for her teacher mom #TEACHERWAlKOUT pic.twitter.com/vwFw66cv0k — monte Whaley (@monteWhaley) April 27, 2018

The teachers want lawmakers to increase funding for schools by making a down payment on the budget stabilization factor — also known as the negative factor — of at least $150 million this year and pay it off by 2022.

Lawmakers must also commit to reducing or freezing corporate tax breaks of all kinds until school funding is restored and per-pupil funding reaches the national average, the CEA said. Legislators must increase the state’s cost-of-living allowance for retirees to encourage more people to enter the teaching profession, the CEA said.

Democratic lawmakers have been rallying behind teachers, agreeing with them that more money should go to K-12 education.

Republicans, however, have pushed back — especially at the notion of pouring more into education instead of paying down the billions in needed road repairs.

AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post Jefferson county educators Joel Zigman and Elizabeth Hall march during a teachers rally for more educational funding at the Colorado State Capitol on Thursday, April 26, 2018. The Colorado Education Association said the walkouts are necessary to alert residents and lawmakers about the status of school funding in Colorado. The stateÕs schools are currently underfunded by $822 million and are $2,700 below the national average in per-pupil funding, the CEA said.

Joe Amon, The Denver Post Educators gather outside the Colorado State Capitol building in Denver on Thursday morning, April 26, 2018.

Joe Amon, The Denver Post Thousands of teachers from Jeffco, Lake County, Douglas County and Clear Creek descended on the state Capitol to demand more money for schools. April 26, 2018, in Denver.



AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post A teacher holds a sign reading "Esperamos respeto, fondos y apoyo (we hope for respect, funds and support)" during a teachers rally for more educational funding at the Colorado State Capitol on Thursday, April 26, 2018. The Colorado Education Association said the walkouts are necessary to alert residents and lawmakers about the status of school funding in Colorado. The stateÕs schools are currently underfunded by $822 million and are $2,700 below the national average in per-pupil funding, the CEA said.

Joe Amon, The Denver Post Students, parents and teachers outside the House of Representatives waiting to talk with legislators at the Capitol as teachers from Jeffco, Lake County, Douglas County and Clear Creek descended at the state Capitol to demand more money for schools. April 26, 2018 Denver, CO

AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post ThunderRidge High School math teacher Heidi Geyer wears a skirt made of receipts as she grades papers during a teacher's rally for more educational funding at the Colorado State Capitol on Thursday, April 26, 2018. The receipts are from purchases Geyer has had to make this year from her own money outside of the mathematics department budget. The Colorado Education Association said the walkouts are necessary to alert residents and lawmakers about the status of school funding in Colorado. The stateÕs schools are currently underfunded by $822 million and are $2,700 below the national average in per-pupil funding, the CEA said.



Cherokee Trail Elementary School teachers Madison Levine and Erin Coggan (sixth grade) grade papers outside of the senate chambers as they and other educators flooded the capitol during a teacher's rally for more educational funding at the Colorado State Capitol on Thursday, April 26, 2018. The Colorado Education Association said the walkouts are necessary to alert residents and lawmakers about the status of school funding in Colorado. The stateÕs schools are currently underfunded by $822 million and are $2,700 below the national average in per-pupil funding, the CEA said. (Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)

AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post ThunderRidge High School math teacher Heidi Geyer adjusts her skirt made of receipts after she graded papers during a teacher's rally for more educational funding at the Colorado State Capitol on Thursday, April 26, 2018. The receipts are from purchases Geyer has had to make this year from her own money outside of the mathematics department budget. The Colorado Education Association said the walkouts are necessary to alert residents and lawmakers about the status of school funding in Colorado. The stateÕs schools are currently underfunded by $822 million and are $2,700 below the national average in per-pupil funding, the CEA said.

AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post Educators gather en masse wearing red and holding signs during a teachers rally for more educational funding at the Colorado State Capitol on Thursday, April 26, 2018. The Colorado Education Association said the walkouts are necessary to alert residents and lawmakers about the status of school funding in Colorado. The stateÕs schools are currently underfunded by $822 million and are $2,700 below the national average in per-pupil funding, the CEA said.



AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post Educators gather en masse wearing red and holding signs during a teachers rally for more educational funding at the Colorado State Capitol on Thursday, April 26, 2018. The Colorado Education Association said the walkouts are necessary to alert residents and lawmakers about the status of school funding in Colorado. The stateÕs schools are currently underfunded by $822 million and are $2,700 below the national average in per-pupil funding, the CEA said.

AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post Educators gather en masse wearing red and holding signs during a teachers rally for more educational funding at the Colorado State Capitol on Thursday, April 26, 2018. The Colorado Education Association said the walkouts are necessary to alert residents and lawmakers about the status of school funding in Colorado. The stateÕs schools are currently underfunded by $822 million and are $2,700 below the national average in per-pupil funding, the CEA said.

AAron Ontiveroz, The Denver Post Educators gather en masse wearing red and holding signs during a teachers rally for more educational funding at the Colorado State Capitol on Thursday, April 26, 2018. The Colorado Education Association said the walkouts are necessary to alert residents and lawmakers about the status of school funding in Colorado. The stateÕs schools are currently underfunded by $822 million and are $2,700 below the national average in per-pupil funding, the CEA said.



Colorado has 55,298 teachers, according to the National Education Association’s 2018 Rankings and Estimates report. There are roughly 16.4 students for every teacher, which is slightly above the national average of 15.9 students.

In the 2012-2013 school year, Colorado ranked 40th in per-pupil spending, according to the Colorado School Finance Project. The state spent $8,893 per pupil compared to the U.S. average of $11,001. Spending per pupil varies per district, though.

“I’m a science teacher and it’s not unusual for me to stop at the store to get some materials for class,” Janet Nord said @teacherwalkout pic.twitter.com/qgS0JyALYr — Amanda Trejos (@amandatrecon) April 27, 2018

This is a developing story that will be updated.