Washington, D.C. — Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet led the Democratic Colorado Delegation in a letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon on the Department of Education’s decision to continue to withhold $70 million in Title II, III, and IV federal funds from Colorado schools. In the letter, the lawmakers demanded clarity on when Colorado schools would receive their funding and sought assurance that it would be before the 2025-2026 school year begins.
“We write today in response to the Department of Education’s (the Department) decision to continue to withhold Title II, III, and IV federal funds. School districts throughout Colorado are depending on these funds to deliver critical services to students across the state,” wrote the lawmakers. “The delay and uncertainty around the distribution of this funding have made it incredibly difficult for school districts to plan and hire staff for the next school year.”
“School Districts and after-school programs across our state rightfully understood they would receive these mandatory funds after they were authorized by Congress,” continued the lawmakers. “Announcing funding delays just over a month before the school year starts has forced Colorado school districts and after-school programs into an unnecessary, last minute scramble to ensure students and parents have the support they need for a successful year.”
The text of the letter is available HERE and below.
Dear Secretary McMahon:
We write today in response to the Department of Education’s (the Department) decision to continue to withhold Title II, III, and IV federal funds. School districts throughout Colorado are depending on these funds to deliver critical services to students across the state. The delay and uncertainty around the distribution of this funding have made it incredibly difficult for school districts to plan and hire staff for the next school year.
As you are aware, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act provides $29 billion in mandatory funding for various programs and activities that support students, teachers, and communities. Titles II, III, and IV, among other activities, provide funding to support elementary and secondary teacher retention and professional development, family engagement programs, and initiatives that create safer school environments for all students. This funding, which is less than .5% of the overall federal budget, supports programs in Colorado that reduce chronic absenteeism in schools, help districts hire teachers, and fund afterschool programs. This money is appropriated by Congress for these purposes and was signed into law by President Trump in March as part of the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025.
While we understand that the Department is still reviewing this funding, the unpredictability has already caused disruptions for school districts. School Districts and after-school programs across our state rightfully understood they would receive these mandatory funds after they were authorized by Congress. Announcing funding delays just over a month before the school year starts has forced Colorado school districts and after-school programs into an unnecessary, last minute scramble to ensure students and parents have the support they need for a successful year.
To that end, please provide clarity to our offices on when the Department will provide Colorado schools with their full funding disbursement by July 18, 2025. In your response, please confirm that these funds will be fully dispersed before the 2025-2026 school year begins.
Our education system must ensure that every American student has the opportunity to thrive in our classrooms, and we stand ready to work with you to achieve this goal.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter. We look forward to hearing the Department’s response.
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