The Trump administration will release about $67 million to Colorado’s K-12 school districts after freezing the money for nearly a month, a move that comes just weeks before the 2025-26 academic year begins.
The funding freeze was set to upend the upcoming school year as districts had already budgeted the federal money and hired employees. Without the funds, Colorado school districts were preparing to cut jobs and programs.
The U.S. Education Department unexpectedly froze $6.8 billion in funding for literacy, English language instruction and other programs on the day before it was set to be distributed, part of what officials said was a review to ensure spending aligned with the White House’s priorities.
The money had already been appropriated by Congress and was required by law to go to the states on July 1.
“Federal dollars provide critical support for every child in Colorado — no matter where they live — to learn, grow and thrive,” Colorado Education Commissioner Susana Córdova said in an email to superintendents Friday.
“We are grateful to U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and to the many educators, district leaders, community partners, elected officials and public education supporters who advocated for the release of these much-needed funds,” she said.
The Education Department said Friday that the Office of Management and Budget had completed its review of the programs paid for by the withheld funds and will begin sending the money to states next week.
The Trump administration last week released part of the education money— about $1.3 billion nationwide and more than $12.8 million for Colorado — that had been earmarked for after-school programs.
The decision came after a group of 10 Republican senators urged the administration to send the funds to districts. Colorado and dozens of other states also sued the Trump administration over its decision to hold back the school funding.
But the bulk of the money remained frozen.
“These are critical funds that Congress promised to our schools,” Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser said in a statement. “…I am pleased by this announcement and will continue to ensure that the Trump administration follows through and follows the law.”
The funding that was under review included $2 billion in grants for teachers’ professional development and efforts to reduce class size; $1.3 billion for after-school and summer learning programs; $1 billion for academic enrichment grants, often used for science and math education and accelerated learning; $890 million for students who are learning English; $376 million to educate the children of migrant workers; and $715 million to teach adults how to read.
In withholding the funds, the Office of Management and Budget had said some of the programs supported a “radical leftwing agenda.”
“We share your concern,” the GOP senators wrote. “However, we do not believe that is happening with these funds.”
Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement that he was thrilled the funding would come through, but noted that “this uncertainty created significant chaos for families and schools with the school year only weeks away.”
In total, the Trump administration temporarily froze about $80 million in education funding for Colorado.
“The Trump administration’s late-June announcement to freeze previously approved (federal) grant funding for schools sent shockwaves across the country,” Denver Public Schools spokesman Scott Pribble said in a statement.”This funding is absolutely critical for the education and well-being of many students, especially those who are most vulnerable, and for the teachers who support them.”
But Colorado’s largest K-12 district isn’t breathing a sigh of relief, Pribble said.
“Future years of (federal) funding are still in potential jeopardy,” he said. “So, while this is good, the long-term picture remains uncertain.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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