By Aaron Hedge

Everyone knows Colorado’s higher education system is facing the most difficult funding challenge in its history. It is frequently ranked last in the nation in public funding. College costs have increased so sharply that leaders of the biggest institutions are discussing partial privatization.

But what state lawmakers and university officials say people don’t know is story of how Colorado found itself in this pickle. As a result, voters remain skeptical about financing public initiatives.

The twisting road has been long and confusing, and as discussions about possible fixes are in full swing in the state’s newly-convened legislature, experts say the public must understand how it happened....