by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser has joined a coalition of 24 states and the District of Columbia in a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education over its abrupt decision to freeze $6.8 billion in federal education funding, calling the move “unconstitutional, unlawful, and arbitrary.”
In Colorado, the freeze has placed $80 million in funding at risk, affecting vital programs across the state just weeks before the 2025–2026 school year begins.
“The decision has thrown our schools and educational programs into chaos,” said Weiser in a press release. “The impacts will be felt most by our low-income students and multilingual learners.”
The Department of Education announced in a recent email that it would not be issuing funds for six core federal education programs as of July 1, 2025—a departure from its standard annual funding schedule. The freeze affects Title I-C, Title II-A, Title III-A, Title IV-A, Title IV-B, and Adult Basic Literacy programs, which support services ranging from professional development and English language acquisition to after-school learning and adult education.
Weiser, who is co-leading the lawsuit with attorneys general from California, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, said he has spoken directly with Colorado school leaders and described the situation as “disruptive and reckless.”
“Our schools deserve to be treated fairly,” Weiser said. “This administration’s lack of regard for the impact of this lawless decision is appalling.”
Colorado Education Commissioner Susana Córdova warned that the funding freeze could have immediate and devastating effects. “Without this funding, districts across Colorado will be forced to cut critical services just weeks before the school year begins,” she said.
The cuts have already begun to ripple through the state. A regional migrant education office in Pueblo announced it will close August 1 due to lack of funds.
Programs affected by the freeze include:
- Title I-C: Serving students from migratory families
- Title II-A: Professional development for teachers
- Title III-A: English language learner support
- Title IV-A: Enrichment and academic support programs
- Title IV-B: Out-of-school and family engagement initiatives
- Adult Education Grants: Literacy, English language, and workforce readiness
The lawsuit seeks a preliminary injunction to immediately restore the frozen funds while the legal battle proceeds.
“This funding freeze has immediately thrown into chaos plans for the upcoming academic year,” Weiser’s office said. “Now, because of the Trump administration’s actions, states find themselves without sufficient funding for these commitments, just weeks before the school year begins.”
The case is expected to draw national attention as school districts across the country scramble to fill budget gaps and determine which services, staff, and programs may be cut without the federal aid.
