In Colorado, several school districts are facing significant uncertainty as they await crucial federal education funds that appear to have been withheld by the Trump administration.
The implications of this funding delay are profound, as districts rely heavily on these resources to support essential programs, including after-school initiatives and services for multilingual learners.
The Lake County School District, a small district with 900 students nestled in the mountains, may have to make painful cuts to its after-school programming.
Meanwhile, the 3,500-student Fort Morgan district risks financial setbacks for its popular dual-language program.
Similarly, the 90,000-student Denver Public Schools could see stipends for paraprofessionals in training at risk.
In total, Colorado is facing a shortfall of nearly $70 million in federal funds, which the U.S. Department of Education is withholding to ensure spending aligns with the president’s priorities, according to officials from the Colorado Department of Education.
This situation has generated deep concern among school leaders, who fear they will have to cut back on essential services for some of their most vulnerable students.
Kate Bartlett, the superintendent of Lake County, expressed her distress over the impact this funding uncertainty may have on her students and their families.
“The idea of not fully serving my kids and families absolutely wrenches my heart,” Bartlett stated.
She emphasized the district’s commitment to minimizing disruption but acknowledged, “I think it’s going to be a disruptive period.”
The Colorado Department of Education’s estimates show that the withholding of funds could negatively impact various programs essential for the 2025-26 school year.
This includes approximately $11.2 million designated for supporting multilingual learners and immigrant students.
These federal funds, which are allocated based on student counts learning English as a second language, are pivotal for districts like Aurora Public Schools.
Additionally, around $7.2 million aimed at supporting migrant students is also under threat.
This funding is particularly important for children of farmworkers, providing resources for health screenings, summer programs, and mental health support for those who frequently relocate.
An estimated $26 million is slated for initiatives that recruit, retain, and train teachers while working to reduce class sizes in the state’s schools.
Moreover, about $13 million is earmarked for before- and after-school programs, tutoring, and enrichment activities primarily for low-income families.
The implications of withholding nearly $7 billion in federal funding for K-12 schools nationwide have left many Colorado districts caught in a financial bind.
Melissa Gibson, the executive director of the Colorado Association of School Executives, described the withholding as “unconscionable,” noting that superintendents across the state are anxious about budget shortfalls and the potential ramifications for students and educators.
“This is going to force some really painful decisions,” Gibson stated, reflecting widespread concern.
Lake County’s after-school programs, which rely on approximately $400,000 in federal money, are at risk.
Bartlett highlighted that a significant portion of students participate in these programs, which provide safe, enriching activities while their parents work long hours.
Students engage in activities like robotics, bagpipe lessons, and receive homework assistance, with the programs also offering snacks and dinners.
The district operates on a four-day school week, running programs on Fridays when students are not in school.
Bartlett articulated the wider impact of federal fund withholding, stating, “Of course it impacts kids, but then it impacts families and the broader economy.”
She noted that disruptions to after-school care place additional burdens on families, ultimately affecting the economy as well.
In Denver Public Schools, Colorado’s largest district, officials are bracing for a potential loss of about $10 million if the funding is not released.
Chuck Carpenter, the district’s chief of finance, explained that these funds are crucial for teacher training, multilingual education, and after-school programs.
Without these resources, the district will be forced to make cuts.
“This is a defunding of programming for 5- to 18-year-olds,” Carpenter emphasized.
He raised concerns that the funding delay signals a shift away from supporting children’s educational needs.
In a joint statement, Denver Public Schools Superintendent Alex Marrero and the Denver school board president criticized the federal government’s actions as a “dangerous overreach of federal authority.”
They argued that the delay in funding threatens core programs that serve Latino, Black, and multilingual learners, calling it a weakening of the nation’s commitment to equity and public trust in government.
In the Fort Morgan district, Superintendent Rob Sanders mentioned that they are awaiting about $285,000 in federal funds.
This funding is essential for their dual-language program, as well as for hiring instructional coaches and paraprofessionals.
Sanders noted that the district had already finalized its budget and extended job offers, creating anxiety over the impending financial shortfall.
“I do believe at some point that they’ll release the funds,” Sanders opined, adding, “It’s all about sowing chaos, and I don’t think that chaos is good.”
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