(The Center Square) – Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser has joined a multi-state lawsuit suing the U.S. Department of Education for freezing $6.8 billion in federal funding to various education programs nationwide.
In Colorado alone, $80 million is in limbo.
“The decision has thrown our schools and educational programs into chaos as they determine which services, educators, and programming will need to be cut – some of it immediately,” said a press release from Weiser’s office. “The impacts will be felt most by our low-income students and multilingual learners.”
Colorado is joined by a coalition of 24 states and the District of Columbia. The states are calling the freeze “unconstitutional, unlawful and arbitrary,” as previously reported by The Center Square.
Normally every year on July 1, states receive their federal education funds, which Congress allocates for the upcoming school year.
But an email from the U.S. Department of Education, sent to various departments of education across the country, stated the department would not be “issuing obligating funds” for six formula funding programs on July 1, 2025.
“I have heard directly from Colorado school superintendents how disruptive and reckless this arbitrary freeze of federal funding is to them,” Weiser said. “Schools deserve to be treated fairly, and this administration’s lack of regard for the impact of this lawless decision is appalling.”
Weiser is co-leading the lawsuit, which is one of dozens Colorado has filed against actions taken by the Trump administration since January. He is joined in leading it by the attorneys general of California, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
The impact of these cuts are already being felt, according to Weiser’s office, with one regional migrant office in Pueblo already communicating that it will be closing as of Aug. 1 due to lack of funding.
“This funding freeze has immediately thrown into chaos plans for the upcoming academic year,” the press release continued. “Local education agencies have approved budgets, developed staffing plans, and signed contracts to provide vital educational services under these grants. Now, because of the Trump administration’s actions, states find themselves without sufficient funding for these commitments, just weeks before the start of the 2025-2026 school year.”
Programs that have seen funding cuts include the following:
• Title I-C: Education of Migratory Children, which supports the educational needs of students whose families frequently move for seasonal agricultural or fishing work.
• Title II-A: Supporting Effective Instruction, which provides supplemental funding to help local education agencies implement professional development leadership initiatives that strengthen teaching and improve student academic achievement.
• Title III-A: English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement and Academic Achievement, which supports English learners and enhances multilingual education services.
• Title IV-A: Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants, which aims to improve student achievement by increasing the capacity of states, local education agencies, schools, and local communities to offer students a well-rounded education, improve school conditions for learning, and improve the use of technology to boost academic achievement and digital literacy.
• Title IV-B: 21st Century Community Learning Centers, which offers out-of-school academic support, enrichment, youth development and family engagement for K-12 students.
• Adult Basic Literacy, Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education grants, which ensure adult education providers can support students in developing basic reading, writing, mathematics and English language skills. Programs also help adults receive high school completion or equivalency and gain the workforce skills needed for employment.
“These funds help close opportunity gaps, support educators and create safe, engaging learning environments,” said Colorado Education Commissioner Susana Córdova. “Without this funding, districts across Colorado will be forced to cut critical services just weeks before the school year begins.”
The states have requested a preliminary injunction, which would temporarily restore funding while the lawsuit makes its way through the courts.
