Colorado lawmakers are considering deep funding cuts to two of the state’s only dedicated after-school grant programs, a move advocates say could harm thousands of the state’s most vulnerable students. The proposed cuts come despite a new report showing that three out of four Colorado children who need after-school care can’t access it — nearly 350,000 children are waitlisted.
The legislature’s main budget committee, scrambling to close an $850 million budget gap, is considering eliminating the third and final year of the Colorado Academic Accelerator Program, an $8 million-per-year initiative designed to help students catch up in math and STEM subjects. It’s also weighing a 50% reduction to a $3.5 million grant for out-of-school time, the main way the state supports community-based after-school programs.
Advocates across the state are rallying to save the programs. They argue that they aren’t simply enrichment programs; they keep families working.
“This will cut the foundation of our communities, and it will be devastating,” said Kelly Streck, executive director of the Colorado Afterschool Partnership, who said the cuts would hit lower-income families the hardest.
“The loss of this (CO-AAP) funding a year early means that the families of more than 4600 kids will lose access to academic enrichments that were building their confidence as well as skills and they'll also lose a safe place to go after school while their parents work, more than $14 million in savings to these families who need it most.”
The second out-of-school time grant serves 2,000 children.
From chess to cutting boards
The academic accelerator grant, championed by Gov. Jared Polis to boost math scores, was a response to post-pandemic learning loss. Beginning in the 2023-24 school year, it provided free tutoring and STEM-focused activities before and after school and during the summer.
At Central Elementary school in Commerce City, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., after-school programming unfolds on chess boards, at cutting boards and around cafeteria tables filled with students doing art or Lego robotics.
In one room, fourth- and fifth-graders huddle over chessboards. They think silently, and then debate moves in English and Spanish.
“I like chess because it’s really fun and it helps my brain,” said Edemir.
Down the hall in the STEM cooking class, students measure broccoli florets and cube tofu before making Pad see ew, a Thai stir-fried noodle dish.
Jayla, 11, said cooking will help her later.
“When you get older, then you’ll know how to cook yourself instead of getting fast food.”
The program serves about 200 children who are getting the equivalent of 20 full school days of enrichment opportunities, according to the program director, Matias Iriarte. Many of the children would otherwise go home alone.
He said after-school activities are why many show up to school.
“A key benefit of these after-school programs is the positive impact they have on the students’ motivation to come to school,” he said. “When the students now know that the school offers engaging academic and social opportunities … their desire to come to school increases … Attendance is increasing, academic achievement is increasing.”
Advocates say incorrect data presented to budget committee
The initial push for a $1.5 million cut stems from a legislative analyst on Feb. 25 before the Joint Budget Committee who said she was “not terribly impressed” by the outcomes of the program. However, advocates argue the recommendation was based on a misreading of the data.
While the analyst cited family cost savings of $658,000, advocates say that this figure represents the savings per grantee. With 22 organizations participating, they estimate the actual annual savings for families at more than $14.5 million.
Last year, the program served thousands of students in districts and at community nonprofits, including 53 Boys and Girls Club centers statewide. A state brief reports that 76% of participants demonstrated an improvement in math scores.
Despite a statewide rise in chronic absenteeism, more than 55% of schools with grant funding had lower chronic absenteeism rates, though the analyst noted that “still over 40% of students for whom there was data were chronically absent.”
Then the committee suddenly voted to possibly cut the entire third year of the accelerator grant program, about $8 million for the next school year. But a final vote is needed and expected within two weeks.
Programs allow families to work
Streck argues the state should view after-school programs as infrastructure, not just enrichment.
In a statewide survey, 90% of parents said after-school programs help them keep their jobs or work more hours, while 97% the programs reduce stress because they know their children are safe.
Programs cost an average of $85.70 per week in Colorado. Forty-two percent of parents say they can’t find programs in their communities, and many cite transportation barriers.
A large body of evidence shows that after-school programs build social skills, responsible decision-making, teamwork, and self-confidence. Other studies show consistent participation in after-school programs narrows the achievement gap in math and leads to better life outcomes in adulthood. Other studies show significant improvement in engagement and attendance.
“Not only do their grades go up, but they make healthier choices both in what to do and not to do in, in terms of youth violence or vaping or alcohol use, and as young adults, they have higher paying jobs and are more likely to pursue secondary education than their peers who were not able to participate in after school consistently,” said Streck.
Another program serving 2,000 children may be halved
The $3.5 million out-of-school time grant, now proposed to be cut in half, has served more than 2,000 youth.
Advocates point to stories across Colorado: a fourth-grader new to the U.S. who was being bullied began skipping school but still came to Nature Club because it felt safe; a Mesa County student with escalating behavioral issues found structure in aftercare while his father worked long hours.
An Afghan refugee student in Mesa County flourished in an after-school program, earned acceptance to Colorado Mesa University and plans to return as a tutor. On the Eastern Plains, a third-grader in foster care raised her reading level to fifth grade by year’s end.
In Telluride, many after-school participants are the children of service industry workers. At the Children’s Literacy Center in Adams County, 74% of students advanced at least one grade level in reading in 2025.
In high-altitude communities like Leadville, where the cost of living often outpaces wages, an after-school program is considered a necessity rather than a luxury. Project Dream is the only option in Lake County.
“If this didn't exist, I think what we would see is we would see a lot of families leaving our community to go elsewhere,” said Taylor Trelka, a Leadville parent.
While the Leadville program currently relies on federal funds that have been secured for next year, Trelka said that shrinking state support adds pressure on a system already failing to meet demand.
"Families who have been historically marginalized, typically both parents need to work, whereas more affluent families might have the option for one parent not to work," she said. "(After-school support) is addressing this larger systemic issue we have in our society."
Colorado’s investment in after-school programs low
Before advocates learned about the threats to after-school funding grants this legislative session, they had hoped to build support for more out-of-school time funding. Already, Colorado falls short compared to many states.
Michigan’s governor recently recommended $135 million for out-of-school time in 2027, while Indiana is advancing legislation to increase transportation access for after-school care. Oregon and New Mexico both directed around $30 million and $15 million and $20 million, respectively, for after-school and summer programming.
