Federal decision follows Colorado’s lawsuit, and outreach from Governor Polis and Colorado’s Federal Delegation
DENVER - Today, Governor Polis announced that Colorado, and other states who banded together, successfully got the Trump Administration to unlock the remaining $5 billion, specifically $66 million from Colorado, of education funding that was being withheld, a significant win for the state, schools, teachers, and students, with the school year just weeks away.
“Today, all the withheld education funding from the Trump Administration has been returned to our classrooms, where it should have been this whole time. While I am thrilled this funding has been returned to our students, this uncertainty created significant chaos for families and schools with the school year only weeks away,” said Governor Polis.
“Federal dollars provide critical support for every child in Colorado - no matter where they live - to learn, grow, and thrive. We are grateful to the many educators, district leaders, community partners, elected officials, and public education supporters who advocated for the release of these much-needed funds,” said Colorado Education Commissioner Susana Cordova.
Governor Polis consistently called for the release of these funds, which totaled nearly $80 million dollars for Colorado. Last week, Governor Polis celebrated the return of $1.3 billion in after-school funds to states, and again called on the Trump Administration to release the remaining funding.
The State filed litigation to challenge the decision to withhold the funds, last week the Governor led an effort with 16 other democratic governors writing a letter demanding the release of these funds, and earlier this month he sat down with education leaders from across Colorado to hear how the federal government withholding this funding was hurting schools, educators, and students.
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