Federal funding freeze could gut childcare, other services for low-income Coloradans

DENVER (KDVR) - Programs that help low-income families in Colorado with childcare, food and other services face an uncertain future.

Multiple news outlets are reporting the federal government is freezing $10 billion in funding for Colorado, Illinois, New York, Minnesota and California. In Colorado, about $300 million would be frozen.

Colorado's Governor's Office, Department of Human Services and Department of Early Childhood said they have not been given official guidance from the White House about potential funding freezes.

The funding in question pays for programs through the Childcare and Development Fund, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and the Social Services block grant.

According to a statement provided to FOX31 by the Colorado Department of Human Services, the programs help families "access job training, financial support, child care and other important social services on the road to self-sufficiency".

The CCDF provides Colorado with $138 million each year.

"Which plays a critical role in helping Colorado parents and caregivers work, pursue education, or participate in job training while their children are cared for in safe, nurturing learning environments," a spokesperson for Colorado's Department of Early Childhood said.

Aside from enabling families with young children to access subsidized child care, the Department of Early Childhood said the CCDF supports child care providers and the early childhood workforce in Colorado.

"It's devastating when I think about how critical these dollars are," Rep. Brittany Pettersen said.

Pettersen is a mother of two children and has focused much of her attention in Congress on issues facing families.

"It's hard to hold back the tears sometimes when I think about the long-term implications," she said. "There are people who are going to be forced out of the workplace because they aren't going to have access to childcare. It's going to impact individual families. It will impact our economy at large."

In a statement, a spokesperson for Gov. Jared Polis' office said, "Beyond reports in the media, the state has not been officially notified of any changes to these funding sources…If true, it would be awful to see the federal government targeting the most needy families and children in this way."

Without an official announcement from the White House, it is unclear when the freeze would happen, how long it could last, and what Colorado would need to do to remedy the situation.

"Donald Trump's decision to take federal benefits away from vulnerable children in Colorado is vindictive and illegal. I vehemently oppose his actions as he continues his pattern of political retribution against our state. This devastating freeze will take food from families across the state, in both red and blue areas. Therefore, I urge my Republican colleagues to leverage their relationships with the administration to end this blatantly political attack against the most vulnerable families in Colorado. In addition, as a member of the House Litigation Task Force, I am exploring legal action to reverse these unlawful cuts," Rep. Diana DeGette said in a statement.

The state's Department of Human Services issued a statement saying, "Should these funding sources change, we remain committed to supporting our families in Colorado and will continue to advocate for the appropriate programs and services to help our families thrive."

Rep. Pettersen argues Colorado will be unable to fill the need gap on its own.

"No, absolutely not," she said. "This is a crater coming into the state budget, so this is going to impact so many people, especially in rural Colorado."