Trump Admin Blocked: $600M in Public Health Funding to Colorado & Other States

A federal judge on Thursday blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to cut $600 million in public health funding to Colorado and three other states, marking the latest challenge to funding cuts targeting states led by Democratic governors.

U.S. District Judge Manish S. Shah, based in Illinois, issued the temporary restraining order, stating that “the harm to plaintiffs from the loss of funding is irreparable and intangible — the loss of capacity to fund and maintain public health infrastructure puts the health of plaintiffs’ residents in jeopardy.”

Colorado stands to lose more than $22 million in public health funding awarded by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The funding freeze was expected to take effect as soon as Thursday, but Judge Shah’s order halts those plans pending a hearing scheduled for February 18.

The lawsuit was brought by Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, along with the attorneys general of California, Illinois, and Minnesota. The grants in question allow states to track disease outbreaks and collect public health data reported to the CDC.

“The president has repeatedly threatened to cut off federal funds to Colorado for purely political reasons,” Weiser said in a statement. “This action is lawless and mean-spirited.”

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services notified Congress on Monday of its intent to cut CDC grant funding to the four states. Federal officials have cited concerns about fraud and mismanagement of federal money as justification for the cuts, but have not yet provided evidence of widespread fraud in Colorado, according to reports.

The attorneys general argue that the federal government is withholding funds due to “policy disagreements,” specifically regarding programs that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.

One grant at risk in Colorado is $371,000 allocated to the Colorado Health Network. The network provides HIV prevention services, including on-the-spot testing at community events like PrideFest, and supports individuals living with the virus. Outreach workers operate from six locations across the state, from Greeley to Pueblo.

The Colorado Health Network noted that HIV diagnoses have increased in recent years among certain populations, including young people aged 14-24, as well as Latino and Black communities.

The lawsuit alleges that the cuts violate the Constitution by imposing retroactive conditions on funding. The states are seeking a court order to block the cuts from taking effect.