DENVER — Colorado school districts could lose up to $70 million in federal funding as the Trump administration halts the release of nearly $7 billion in nationwide K-12 education grants.
The withheld funds were set to be distributed on Tuesday, July 1, and would have supported programs including English language learning, migrant education, teacher training, academic enrichment, and before- and after-school care.
Now under review by the U.S. Department of Education, the delay is forcing school leaders across Colorado to scramble for contingency plans ahead of the new academic year.
“One of the worst things you can do to a school district going into a new school year is create uncertainty and instability,” said Kevin Vick, president of the Colorado Education Association. “It makes it harder to prepare to welcome students in the fall.”
Education Commissioner Susana Cordova expressed her concern in a letter to district leaders, saying, “Given the uncertainty of our current context, it is important that we all engage in contingency planning in the event that Colorado does not receive allocations by the close of the federal fiscal year on Sept. 30.”
Leaders with Denver Public Schools called the move “a moral and constitutional breach.”
“For DPS, funding is already stretched thin,” said parent Claudia Carrillo. “To hear even more might be taken away is scary. How are we supposed to raise the next generation of leaders if we’re not investing in them?”
Despite the freeze, education leaders in Colorado say they are not backing down. “We’re working with the Department of Education at the federal level to ensure the review process is fair and that the funds eventually make it to Colorado,” said Vick.
Governor Jared Polis also condemned the decision, calling it “absurd” in a statement released Wednesday afternoon.
“This funding is already obligated, and it’s absurd that the federal government withheld it,” Polis said. “This freeze is a direct attack on children, families, and Colorado educators. We urge the Trump administration to reconsider this harmful freeze.”
Katie is a senior who has been on staff for three years. Her favorite type of stories to write is reviews and features. Katie’s favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry.
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