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 U.S. Education Department unexpectedly froze $6.8 billion in nationwide education funding the day before it was set to be distributed as part of 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 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 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 funds.
But the bulk of the money remained frozen.
“Today, all the withheld education funding from the Trump administration has been returned to our classrooms, where it should have been this whole time,” Gov. Jared Polis said in a statement. “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.”
In total, the Trump administration temporarily froze about $80 million in education funding for Colorado. The money is for adult literacy programs, multilingual students, teacher training and other programs.
The funding freeze was set to upend the 2025-26 academic year as many districts had already budgeted the money and hired employees. Without the money, Colorado school districts were preparing to cut jobs and programs.
“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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