Colorado teacher tenure bill appears likely to pass

DENVER – A proposal to change the way teachers earn and keep tenure appears likely to pass before lawmakers adjourn for the year.

The bill faces a final vote in the House on Wednesday, the final day of the session.

If the House passes the bill, Democratic Sen. Michael Johnston says he’ll ask the Senate to agree to the House version. That would send the bill to Gov. Bill Ritter, a supporter.

The bill passed an initial vote in the House late Tuesday, 36-29.

Former teachers serving in the House have been vocal opponents of the bill, which backers say will help Colorado’s chances of winning federal education reform funding.

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Democratic Rep. Nancy Todd says the bill has sent a message to teachers that education is “all up to them.”