$670 Million CO State Budget Deficit
Colorado is facing a significant budget shortfall, projected to be between $670 million and $1 billion in deficits in the 2025 General Fund. This financial strain has led to proposed cuts in various educational programs and services that affect my peers and me. These programs provide essential opportunities for higher education, economic stability, and fundamental needs like Medicare. People should not have to face setbacks in their education or choose between medical care and putting food on the table just to survive. We must fight to prioritize funding for these programs to ensure a better future for Coloradans.
As a high school senior, my classmates and I rely on government funding to help us continue our education after graduating. The Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative is at risk of being cut, which could impact many low-income families and limit their financial resources. Additionally, being from Pueblo, I have seen how many nonprofit organizations create community-based scholarships to help students in our town afford higher education. This reduction in funding could limit the availability of local scholarships and educational programs that benefit students like me in my community.
College affordability is critical to me, especially as a first-generation student. I want to make my parents proud and achieve the education they couldn’t. My goal is to become a veterinarian, but vet school alone costs over $250,000! While it is not confirmed, budget constraints could lead to higher tuition rates for veterinary students, making financial struggles even more significant for me.
Medicare is also a critical program for my grandfather, as he relies on it to receive diabetes treatment. Medicare covers his essential diabetes supplies, such as blood sugar monitors, test strips, lancets, and glucose control solutions. Unfortunately, he has faced racism and mistreatment in hospitals because he doesn’t understand English, making his medical journey even more challenging. He receives regular dialysis treatments to maintain his health and fights every day to be well enough to watch me dance and grow. If Medicare funding is reduced, it will create a huge financial strain on my family and could potentially limit his access to life-saving treatments.
K-12 education is another primary concern when it comes to budget cuts. I have attended public schools my entire life, and although I am graduating, it is heartbreaking to see the potential losses these cuts could bring. In many schools, students already need to provide their own supplies, and in rural areas, especially where lower-income families live, this will become even harder without school support. Additionally, after retiring from being a veterinarian, I want to teach biology to children and inspire a love for science in them—just like my elementary teachers did for me. I would not be where I am today without the help of my teachers, and I want to see schools progress rather than take steps backward.
These budget cuts affect everyone, not just a select few. I want to make a difference in my community and state by advocating for funding for these critical programs that have been so helpful to my family and others. Lastly, when we stand up for education, health care, and opportunity, we build a future where everyone can thrive.