Bighorn Leadership Program: K–12 Education Focus

The Opportunity

The most important decisions about public education, how money is spent, what gets taught, who leads our schools happen in board rooms across Colorado, often with little public input. Yet many talented people don’t run for school board or engage in advocacy because they don't know where to start, or they assume effective leadership requires years of insider knowledge.

What We're Building

Bighorn Leadership Program equips people to lead, whether as school board members or as informed advocates working outside elected office, by demystifying K–12 governance and building the practical skills needed to make a difference.

We don't train people to win culture war battles. We train them to understand school finance, navigate complex policy trade-offs, build coalitions, and translate their values into concrete action. Participants leave with:

A working knowledge of K-12 public policy, including school finance, the impact of TABOR and Amendment 23, and the role of various advocacy groups and organizations.

• Campaign and organizing skills, whether running for office or mobilizing community support.

A network of peers committed to improving public education in Colorado

Two Pathways, One Cohort

Pathway 1: School Board Leadership

• For people ready to run for school board, we provide campaign strategy, governance training, and the practical tools to win and serve effectively.

Pathway 2: K–12 Advocacy & Community Leadership

• For people who want to drive change without running for office, parents, educators, organizers, policy advocates, we teach how to influence decisions, build coalitions, and hold systems accountable.

Both pathways learn together. School board candidates gain insight from grassroots organizers. Community advocates understand the constraints board members face.

Who Should Apply

This program is for people who:

• Want to improve public education in their community—not just critique it

• Are willing to learn about the challenges of K-12 in Colorado.

• Believe that good governance requires both principles and pragmatism

• Are ready to commit time and energy to developing real expertise

We're looking for participants with diverse perspectives and backgrounds. You don't need education credentials or political experience. You need commitment, curiosity, and a willingness to do the work.