Colorado governor works to try to prevent teacher strike

DENVER (AP) — Colorado Gov. Jared Polis is trying to see if he can help prevent Denver teachers from striking next week.

Polis said Wednesday that he would meet with representatives of the school district and the teachers’ union to see if he could “play a role in bringing them together.” But the Democrat who has vowed to increase school funding declined to elaborate.

Teachers announced a strike vote Tuesday.

The earliest they could walk off the job is Monday. However, the state labor department could also intervene and put the strike on hold for up to 180 days.

Denver superintendent Susana Cordova says the school district will ask the state to step in but it’s up to the department to decide whether to get involved.