The Supreme Court is forbidding President Donald Trump’s administration from adding a citizenship question to the 2020 census for now. The court says the Trump administration’s explanation for wanting to add the question was “more of a distraction” than an explanation.

It’s unclear whether the administration would have time to provide a fuller account. Census forms are supposed to be printed beginning next week.

The court ruled 5-4 on Thursday, with Chief Justice John Roberts joining the four liberals in the relevant part of the outcome.

A lower court found the administration violated federal law in the way it tried to add a question broadly asking about citizenship for the first time since 1950.

The Census Bureau’s own experts have predicted that millions of Hispanics and immigrants would go uncounted if the census asked everyone if he or she is an American citizen.

Colorado had joined the multistate suit in January. The state’s governor, Jared Polis, released a statement Thursday calling the decision “a step in the right direction.”

“The census is about making sure every Coloradan is counted, and not about political gain,” he said in the statement. “Today’s Supreme Court decision is a step in the right direction to ensure that everyone is counted as accurately and as free from intimidation as possible. In Colorado, we passed bipartisan legislation to promote the census, because we know an accurate count will ensure equitable funding that can go toward new roads, new schools, emergency services and economic opportunities.”

The state’s senior, Michael Bennet, a Democrat, also released a statement Thursday, calling the Trump administration’s efforts to add the question to the census “a blatant attempt to intimidate those from immigrant communities from participating.”

“Although today’s decision is a welcome sign, the court should prevent further attempts by this administration to politicize what should be a nonpartisan process. We must protect the census from political interference and ensure that every individual is counted and every voice is heard.” 

Also among those releasing statements Thursday was Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, who called the decision a win for the state and country.

“This decision is a victory for our nation and for Colorado since the census will have a direct impact on our state’s representation in Congress and our fair share of federal dollars for transportation, healthcare, education, public safety and many public assistance programs,” Weiser said in the statement.

“It is now our responsibility to educate the public about the importance of an accurate count, and we must redouble our efforts to ensure that every person is counted in Colorado.”

State Senate President Leroy Garcia, a Democrat, in a statement issued Thursday echoed Weiser’s sentiment that the decision is a win.

“This type of question could result in thousands of Coloradans not being counted, impacting the billions of dollars in federal funding the state receives and possibly even our representation in Congress,” he said in the statement. “We need to continue to work to make sure Colorado gets an accurate count.”

State Sen. Julie Gonzales, D-Denver, called it “a blow to Donald Trump’s attempt to undermine the growing political power of communities of color.”

“But we cannot rest a minute if we are going to ensure an accurate 2020 census count,” she said. “… We need Coloradans in communities all across this state to take action and to help spread the word about the importance of the Census to get as many people counted as possible.”

State Sen. Faith Winter, D-Westminster, added, “We’re going to continue to work hard to make sure Colorado gets its fair share of representation and federal funding.”

Winter was a sponsor of House Bill 1239, which set aside $12 million for community outreach for the 2020 census. It was signed into law by Polis in May.

Colorado Politics contributed.