Since Adams 12 Five Star Schools began selling advertising space on its buses in January, one other district has followed suit and another is conducting a pilot program.

District 27J announced at the beginning of the school year that it was launching a bus advertising pilot program on 16 new, clean-burning propane buses it purchased.

For now, the pilot program is not generating revenue for 27J, and only features ads for its bus provider, Colorado West Equipment; its propane supplier, Agfinity; and nonprofit Denver Regional Air Quality.

Kevin Denke, District 27J public information officer, said the pilot has two goals: to promote the district’s new propane buses and to gauge community reaction to the concept of advertising on school buses.

“I presume we’ll see what response we get and have that discussion early next year,” Denke said about whether the district will expand the program for profit. “As school districts struggle with funding, they’re looking at new ways to generate revenue.”

District 12 launched its for-profit advertising program in January, and officials estimate that it could raise as much as $10,000 in its first year.

Mapleton just started its own for-profit program, but no ads have been put up yet, said Whei Wong, the district’s chief communications officer.

She said when advertisers do buy space on the buses, all images must be approved by the district.

“Mapleton Public Schools decided to look into a bus-advertising program in an effort to boost revenues,” she said. “We have control over the types of advertising we are allowing on our buses, and are able to preview and approve any ads before they are installed. We look forward to seeing how this program works out.”