Following weeks of uncertainty, the Colorado Department of Education confirmed Friday that it will receive more than $66 million from the federal government for the 2025-2026 school year.

The budget release follows a decision by the U.S. Department of Education and the Trump administration to release over $6 billion in funding for public schooling nationwide. 

Colorado Education Commissioner Susana Córdova, in a news release, said the state expects to receive funding similar to last school year, when it got more than $66.6 million.

The money was spread over five educational priorities: Title 1-C, Title II-A, Title III-A, Title IV-A, and adult education and family literacy, according to Córdova. With the full release of the $6 billion, Colorado will receive funding for English language learning, its teacher improvement program, student support and academic enrichment program and migrant learning programs.

“Federal dollars provide critical support for every child in Colorado — no matter where they live — to learn, grow, and thrive, Córdova said in the release. “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.” 

Later on Friday, McMahon joined National Governors Association chair and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis at the association’s summer meeting at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. 

She said she was “very happy” about restoring the funding. 

“We took some time to really review the Title funding, to look (at) all the programs … before they were released,” McMahon said. “And so, we’re well-satisfied and so now those funds are now going to be going out. We think now we’ve reviewed them, looked at that process so that, a year from now, we wouldn’t find ourselves in this same situation.” 

On Monday, the federal government released $1.3 billion of the $6 billion to fund after-school programs such as Boys & Girls Clubs and the YMCA, according to previous Gazette reporting.

After-school funding restored, other federal funds still in limbo as new school year approaches

In a joint statement with NGA vice chair and Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, Polis said they were “thankful these bipartisan discussions with Secretary McMahon and other key officials during the NGA Summer Meeting led to the distribution of these education funds.”

“This action ensures schools across the nation can maintain essential programs for English language learners, teacher training, and student enrichment as the new academic year begins,” they wrote. “Governors from both parties stand united in prioritizing our children’s education, and we’re proud our advocacy helped secure this vital support for states and districts.” 

Local school districts also expressed their relief with the federal funding restored. 

In an emailed statement to The Gazette, Colorado Springs D-11’s Deputy Superintendent Brandan Comfort said this decision will ensure that D-11 can move forward with its approved budget and strategic priorities without having to tap into reserves to cover any gaps.

“Most importantly, it keeps our dollars as close to classrooms and students as possible,” he said. 

Harrison D-2 Superintendent Wendy Birhanzel said that while she was “relieved” and “grateful” that the funding already approved by Congress will now be allocated as intended, there was also “some disappointment” because some school districts have already cut staffing and programs because of the funding they haven’t yet received.

“So, they have the funding now, but all this uncertainty caused them to already make some tough decisions,” she said. 

She added that while the school year now has definite resolutions, some concerns remain going forward. 

“We just hope that education funding doesn’t continue to be political leverage,” Birhanzel said. “Because I think we can all agree that education is important and that our kids shouldn’t be impacted by all of this.”