Governor Polis release dashboard of funds threatened or eliminated by Trump administration actions and the spending the bill moving through Congress including public safety and cybersecurity funding, investments in clean energy and electric vehicles, food access and more
DENVER - Today Governor Polis released a new dashboard that will track federal funding being cut or threatened by the Trump administration, as well as funding protected by the State through legal action. To date, the state has successfully defended over $282 million protecting funding for issues ranging from substance abuse prevention and mental health support to public safety and assistance to farmers. Specifically this includes the Mental Health Block Grant run through the Behavioral Health Administration, the Substance Use Prevention Treatment and Recovery Services Block Grant, CDPHE’s Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity for Infectious Diseases grant, Americorps funding, the Climate Smart Commodities grant and many others. More than $56 million is still at risk from the Trump administration, and nearly $77 million has been cut or not renewed by the Trump administration.
“The Trump administration is trying to rip away local and state funding that supports cybersecurity and public safety, helps Coloradans access or charge low-cost electric vehicles, helps people access food and more. This is federal funding that has already been allocated to states by Congress, and now the administration is working to take it away. We are doing everything in our power to protect this funding for Coloradans and local governments, including pursuing legal action when necessary. This dashboard will help increase transparency and accountability,” said Governor Jared Polis.
This dashboard is part of the Governor’s efforts to ensure that Coloradans get a fair share of the taxes paid to the federal government. A recent study shows that for every $1.00 Coloradans pay in federal taxes, the state only receives $0.90 back in federal investments.
Before these cuts, the Governor had led a nation leading effort to increase federal funds coming to Colorado communities, including increased matching funds, regional grant navigators to support local governments in their applications for federal funds, and grant planning and writing assistance for state agencies. Colorado was a leader in drawing down federal funds, including $2.5 billion to local entities and $5 billion to state agencies in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) awards.
Data presented on the dashboard are verified cuts to state programs. However, these reductions do not include fund freezes, cuts, or clawbacks to institutions of higher education, local, nonprofit, and community partners across Colorado. The dashboard also includes the impact the proposed current reconciliation bill would have on Colorado’s budget. Specifically, how this legislation would decimate programs like Medicaid, SNAP, renewable energy investments and more, hurting Coloradans and these services that people rely on.
Colorado has joined lawsuits to protect federal funding that supports public health and safety, disease prevention, support for behavioral health resources, access to in-demand electric vehicles and charging infrastructure, as well as Americorp funding that supports wildfire prevention, education support and mental health resources.
The Trump administration has also attempted to freeze a number of public safety grants that make Colorado safer. President Trump’s administration has since allowed that funding to expire. This includes the Non-Profit Security Grant program, which provides funding to increase safety at vulnerable places like synagogues and mosques, which frequently experience vandalism. This also includes the Homeland Security State and Local Cybersecurity Grant program, Emergency Operations Center Grant program, and others that help keep Colorado communities safe.
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