Colorado’s education organizations criticized the U.S. Department of Education’s decision to withhold — pending review — over $70 million in federal funding from the state’s public schools.

According to a joint statement released by the Colorado Education Association, Colorado Association of School Executives, Colorado Association of School Boards, and Colorado Rural Schools Alliance, the funding had already been approved by Congress and includes grants to support migrant children, English-language learners, and educators in underserved schools. 

The federal agency put more than $6 billion in funding for K-12 programs on hold for review, notifying states of the freeze just a day before most districts started planning for the coming school year. It is unclear how long the review will take. 

“The department remains committed to ensuring taxpayer resources are spent in accordance with the President’s priorities and the Department’s statutory responsibilities,” the Education Department told the states.

While the department didn’t spell out what those priorities are, the Trump administration has taken aim at funding diversity, equity and inclusion programs, calling them discriminatory, wasteful and anathema to American values. 

“These programs serve students who are most in need — our migrant youth, English learners, and students in rural and low-income communities,” the Colorado groups said. “The funds also support professional development that strengthens our educator workforce and enrichment programs that keep students safe, engaged, and on track for success.”

They also said the expected cuts to Medicaid “threaten to further destabilize schools by stripping away critical health services — including school health professionals and social workers — that many students rely on for their physical and mental well-being.”

Without the grants, Colorado school districts will face “an enormous burden,” the organizations said, noting many have already planned their budgets, staffing, and programs for the 2025-2026 school year. 

“This delay will almost certainly force school leaders to make difficult choices, including scaling back or eliminating essential services that students and families count on,” the groups said. 

According to Democrats leaders at the state Capitol, Colorado Commissioner of Education Susan Cordova sent a letter to superintendents warning them to “engage in contingency planning in the event that Colorado does not receive allocations by the close of the federal fiscal year on Sept. 30.”

House Speaker Julie McCluskie said the administration’s latest action is “sending our school districts into financial panic.”

“In Colorado, we worked together to sustainably and strategically increase public school funding,” she said. “However, without these federal dollars, our schools, especially in rural and underserved areas, will be forced to lay off teachers and staff.”