In a notable stride for education funding, Governor Jared Polis of Colorado, along with a coalition of other states, has prevailed upon the Trump Administration to release a hefty sum of $5 billion in previously withheld education funds. The released amount includes a share of $66 million for Colorado, a win especially salient as the state’s schools stand on the cusp of a new academic year. As obtained by the Colorado Governor’s Office, Polis conveyed satisfaction at the return of these funds to their rightful place, serving students.
“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,” Governor Polis expressed, as per the Colorado Governor’s Office, emphasizing the turmoil that the funding blockage caused. Colorado Education Commissioner Susana Cordova hailed the move, praising the vast spectrum of educators, district leaders, and supporters for their relentless advocacy that played a role in urging the federal government to release the long-obstructed funds.
In their quest to unlock the remaining funds, totaling nearly $80 million for Colorado, which significantly bolsters the financial underpinnings of the state’s education system, Governor Polis was persistent. He spearheaded legal challenges and authored a missive in collaboration with 16 other Democratic governors demanding that the Trump Administration capitulate. The governor was deeply entrenched in these efforts, including meeting with education leaders across Colorado to understand firsthand the impact of the funding deadlock. Polis’s recent celebration of the return of $1.3 billion in after-school funds to states further underscores the overall struggle and eventual victory for educational financing.
