Rep. Pettersen Demands Answers After Trump Administration Threatens $98 Million in Federal Funding for Jeffco Schools

This press release from Representative Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) was published on 2026-06-17 and titled "Rep. Pettersen Demands Answers After Trump Administration Threatens $98 Million in Federal Funding for Jeffco Schools".

Rep. Pettersen Demands Answers After Trump Administration Threatens $98 Million in Federal Funding for Jeffco Schools

Today, U.S. Representative Brittany Pettersen (CO-07) demanded answers from the U.S. Department of Education after the Department threatened enforcement action and the potential withholding of federal education funding from Jefferson County Public Schools (Jeffco) over a baseless, alleged Title IX violation regarding transgender students. After notifying the District of its findings in March, the Department provided Jeffco Schools 90 days to address its concerns. Before that period expired, the Department issued a second warning letter threatening further enforcement action and skipped out on a scheduled meeting with the Jeffco School District to settle the dispute. Now, $98 million in federal funding hangs in the balance, putting critical resources at risk for more than 74,000 students – particularly students with disabilities, low-income students, and English language learners. “I grew up an at-risk youth, and I wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t had access to exceptional public schools in Jeffco and teachers who believed in me,” said Pettersen. “Now, Trump is threatening to withhold nearly $100 million in federal funding that supports our classrooms and helps ensure every child has a chance to succeed. As a mom, I can’t imagine the fear and uncertainty this creates for families. Our kids should never be used as political pawns. It’s beyond despicable and a reminder that under this administration, our kids will always come last.” “We appreciate Representative Pettersen's support for Jeffco students and the critical federal resources that help us serve them,” said Jeffco Public Schools Superintendent, Tracy Dorland. “Throughout this process, Jeffco has engaged in good faith, provided data, answered questions, and repeatedly sought to correct a significant factual misunderstanding at the center of the Office for Civil Rights' findings, while working to navigate conflicting state and federal requirements. Our focus remains where it belongs- on protecting educational opportunities for all students and reaching a resolution grounded in facts, sound law, and the best interests of the 75,000 students we serve.” In a letter, Pettersen asks the Department to explain: What specific Title IX provisions it believes Jeffco is violating; Why it issued an additional warning letter before the original compliance period expired; What efforts were made to work collaboratively with the district before threatening to terminate funding; Whether the Department analyzed the impact funding cuts would have on students and district operations; and Whether similar proceedings have been initiated against other school districts. The full letter is available HERE and below: Dear Secretary McMahon and Assistant Secretary Richey, I write regarding the U.S. Department of Education (the Department) Office for Civil Rights' June 3, 2026 warning letter to Jefferson County Public (Jeffco) Schools, which threatens enforcement action and the potential withholding of federal education funding. As the Representative of Colorado’s Seventh Congressional District, which includes Jeffco School District and the 74,200 students it serves, I am deeply concerned about the serious, long-term consequences these actions could have on our students. I write to request a detailed explanation of the Office for Civil Rights' rationale for this action and to urge the Department to immediately rescind its threat to withhold federal funding from the district. The Department first notified Jeffco Schools of its findings in March 2026 and provided the district with a 90-day period to address the Department's concerns related to Jeffco Schools’ compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), including ensuring that students are able to access facilities and programs regardless their gender identity. Yet, before that period had concluded, the Department issued an additional warning letter escalating the matter and threatening further enforcement action. This is especially troubling given that the Office for Civil Rights did not attend the June 16, 2026 meeting that had been scheduled specifically to discuss the tension between Colorado state law and the Department’s interpretation of Title IX, despite the district’s preparation and willingness to engage in good‑faith dialogue. This pattern of escalation is further compounded by the Administration’s recent decision to move major civil rights investigative and enforcement responsibilities from the the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights to the Department of Justice. Placing these functions into an agency whose core mission is federal law enforcement fundamentally alters its purpose. This shift effectively weaponizes the Office for Civil Rights — recasting it into a federal enforcement arm. Jeffco Schools have been working diligently to navigate its obligations under federal and state law while providing data, answering questions, and engaging in good-faith efforts to address b