Denver’s Model for Funding Student Success Shows Taxpayers' Investment Will Generate $1.25 Billion in Increased Earnings

One of the only public investment funds of its kind in the country, Prosperity Denver Fund offers cities nationwide a working blueprint for turning tax dollars into economic mobility

DENVER, CO, Sept. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As cities across the country search for new ways to fund economic mobility for young people, a Denver program is already producing results other municipalities are watching closely.

A new economic impact study by the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation finds that Prosperity Denver Fund, a nonprofit that manages Denver's voter-approved, sales-tax-funded investment in college and technical school scholarships, career credentials and postsecondary readiness support, is on pace to generate $1.25 billion in higher wages over the course of student careers. That's a 716% return on investment, or $7 in student earnings for every $1 spent.

The study also finds that those higher earnings will produce significant fiscal benefits for Denver and the state of Colorado totaling $217.3 million, including additional sales and income tax payments and decreased use of public services such as health care and public safety.

Impact to date (2018–2025)

• $65.4 million invested through more than 100 local nonprofit partners
• More than 15,000 students served through more than 63,700 opportunities

Projected by 2030

• $153.1 million total taxpayer investment in students, from 2018 through 2030

Impact of the $153.1 million investment in student futures:

• Earnings Impact: $1.25 billion in projected additional lifetime earnings for Denver students
• Fiscal Impact: $217.3 million in projected additional tax revenue and reduced use of public services for Denver taxpayers
• Return on Investment: 716% return — $7 in student earnings for every $1 invested

A model other cities are watching

Prosperity Denver Fund was created in 2018, when Denver voters approved a dedicated 0.08% sales tax — less than one cent on a $10 purchase — to help students afford education and training after high school. It remains one of only a handful of programs of its kind in the country: a direct, voter-approved, city-level investment fund for postsecondary access, administered independently and channeled entirely through local nonprofit partners rather than delivered as a government program.

“Cities across the country are asking the same question Denver voters answered in 2018: what happens if a city invests directly in students after high school?” said Rebecca Arno, chief executive officer of Prosperity Denver Fund. “This study shows what that investment can return for students and for taxpayers. We're glad to share what we've learned with other communities exploring similar models.”

The stakes behind those numbers are real. Without financial assistance for tuition, fees and training costs, college or career training would be unaffordable for many bright and motivated Denver students, which could limit them to lower-wage jobs with fewer paths for advancement. 

Prosperity Denver Fund doesn't deliver services directly. More than 100 Denver nonprofits do, spanning high schools, colleges, trade programs and community organizations citywide. Prosperity Denver Fund's role is to fund and coordinate with that network, not to run it, an approach the new study credits with helping the investment reach students across a wide range of pathways, from four-year degrees to skilled-trades credentials.

How the study measured impact

Using U.S. Census Bureau data, the study compared what students are likely to earn after completing a degree or credential with the typical earnings of someone with only a high school diploma. It counted only the share of increased earnings connected to Prosperity Denver Fund's investment. In addition, the study measured the additional sales and income tax revenue expected from those higher-earning jobs, along with the reduced use of public services these students are likely to need over their lifetimes.

Read the full 2026 Economic Impact Study at prosperitydenverfund.org/2026-economic-impact-report.

About Prosperity Denver Fund

In 2018, Denver voters passed a ballot initiative known as Prosperity Denver. The ordinance called for a 0.08% sales tax — less than one cent on a $10 purchase — dedicated to supporting Denver students as they pursue college and career opportunities after high school. Prosperity Denver Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, manages and distributes this funding, contributing millions each year to eligible organizations. Prosperity Denver Fund is unique in the local landscape and is one of only a few models of its kind in the country. Learn more at prosperitydenverfund.org.

Gerri Gomez Howard
Prosperity Denver Fund
303-748-3933
gerri@gomezhowardgroup.com

Michelle Mendoza 
Prosperity Denver Fund
303-210-1461 
michelle@gomezhowardgroup.com