What percentage of public school funding in comes from the federal government?

Updated Apr. 24, 2026Refreshed annually
About 8.9% or 6 in 70 dollars of Colorado public school funding came from the federal government during the 2022–23 school year. As with most schools nationwide, Colorado received more funding from local or state governments than it did from federal sources. The totals differ by district, depending on factors such as student demographics (like poverty levels), availability of state and local revenues, and whether a district is urban, suburban, or rural.

8.9%

of public school funding came from federal sources, 2022–23 school year

$1.61K

federal funding of K-12 public schools per student, 2022–23 school year
During the 2022–23 school year, the latest year data was available, Colorado schools received a lower share of funding from federal sources compared with the US average (12.9%).

During the 2022–23 school year, public schools in Colorado received 8.9% of funding from the federal government.

Share of public school district revenue coming from federal sources

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In all, public schools in Colorado received $1.4 billion, or $2,558 in federal funds per student. That's 37% lower than the national average of $2,233 per student.

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During the 2022–23 school year, public schools in Colorado received $1,611 per student from the federal government.

Public school district revenue per student coming from federal sources

Most federal public school funds are allocated based on formulas based on factors such as poverty status or a district’s rural location. Federal programs for schools include:
  • Child nutrition programs: Administered by the Department of Agriculture, this includes National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program.
  • Education for the disadvantaged: Also known as Title I, the federal government provides additional funds to schools with relatively high concentration of low-income students.
  • Special education: According to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004, the federal government is authorized though not mandated to supply 40% of special education funds.
Among 179 school districts in Colorado, the Fountain School District 8 in the Colorado Springs, CO area received 34.6% of its funds from the federal government during the 2022–23 school year, more than any other in the state. The Prairie School District RE-11 in the Greeley, CO area received the smallest share at 1%.

Federal funding made up 1% to 34.6% of Colorado school district budgets in 2022–23.

Share of public school district revenue coming from federal sources

Adams-Arapahoe School District 28J received 11.6% of its 2022–23 funding from federal sources, the highest among Colorado's 10 largest school districts. The Denver County School District 1 had the highest federal funding in the group, it received $2,480 per student. The Douglas County School District RE-1 had the lowest share at 3.8% or $579 per student.

The 10 largest school districts in the Colorado based on 2022–23 enrollment.

The 10 largest school districts in the Colorado based on 2022–23 enrollment.
1.

Adams-Arapahoe School District 28J

11.6%
2.

Denver County School District 1

11.1%
3.

Adams 12 Five Star Schools

8.3%
4.

Jefferson County School District R-1

6.9%
5.

Poudre School District R-1

5.5%
6.

St. Vrain Valley School District RE 1J

5.5%
7.

Cherry Creek School District 5

5.2%
8.

Academy School District 20

4.9%
9.

Boulder Valley School District RE-2

4.5%
10.

Douglas County School District RE-1

3.8%

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Methodology

USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.

The analysis was generated with the help of AI and reviewed by USAFacts for accuracy.

Page sources

USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.