Colorado children are at risk for being left out of the 2020 census, potentially causing the state to miss out on federal funding.

The 2010 census missed 5% of Colorado children under the age of 5, and that percentage could increase in 2020 due to privacy fears, according to analysis from the Colorado Children’s Campaign.

Since federal funding is influenced by population count, the missed kids might cause programs like Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance to be under-funded, the analysis states.

Children of color, non-English speakers and kids living in high poverty communities are at the highest risk, according to the report.

Young children in general are more difficult to count accurately because they more often live with families that are harder to reach, such as mobile families or those living in rental housing, the report adds.

 “If young kids in these counties are under-counted in the 2020 Census, their communities face losing federal funding for programs that are vital to kids for the next decade, which would only make it harder for families to make ends meet and build a strong foundation for their children,” said Colorado Children’s Campaign Vice President of Research Sarah Hughes in the report.

“It’s essential that communities across the state come together and find ways to make sure every kid is counted in 2020.”

The report recommends Colorado residents pitch in by joining a local count committee and/or spreading the word to friends, family, and any known families with young children.