Rep. Neguse Announces $4 Million in Federal Funding for Secure Rural Schools Payments, Renews Call for Program Extension

May 6, 2024

Lafayette, CO — Today, House Assistant Minority Leader Joe Neguse announced that $4.8 million in Fiscal Year 2023 Secure Rural Schools payments has been distributed to school districts across Colorado’s 2nd District. The funding, which was allocated by the U.S. Forest Service in April 2024, is the final payment communities will receive through the program if Congress does not reauthorize it. Congressman Neguse, who was able to secure a 2-year extension of the program through 2023 as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is championing a bipartisan bill in Congress that would reauthorize the U.S. Forest Service’s Secure Rural Schools and Self-Determination Program (SRS) through 2026.

The SRS program helps fund essential services in rural communities that are home to federal lands, providing payments derived in part through timber receipts and other leasing activities within National Forests back to county governments where those forests are located, including many of those in Colorado’s Western Slope. These funds are then distributed to help eligible counties maintain local roads, support schools, conduct wildfire mitigation, and more.

“I’m proud to announce that over $4 million dollars has been allocated for local counties across Colorado’s 2nd District to help support community needs, including ensuring the success of local students and bolstering rural infrastructure,” said Assistant Leader Neguse. “For folks in our state, especially those on the Western Slope, SRS funding has been instrumental over the years — and we must keep working to protect the longevity of this program.”

“The Secure Rural Schools program is a lifeline for our small, rural school district in North Park. With limited state funding, these additional funds make a critical difference. They allow us to equip our staff with high-quality instructional materials and provide them with compensated collaborative planning time. This directly translates to effective educators and a better learning environment for our students,” said Amy Ward, Superintendent North Park School District.

“We are very grateful for Congressman Neguse's leadership around reauthorizing the Secure Rural Schools program. It is a tremendous benefit to rural schools around Colorado, including the Summit School District. We need this support in order to provide the best educational systems for rural youth in Colorado,” said Dr. Tony Byrd, Summit School District Superintendent.

“The Secure Rural Schools legislation helps Colorado school districts in multiple ways. The work and leadership of Congressman Neguse on this issue are appreciated greatly. East Grand School District depends on these funds to deliver on our mission of high-quality education for all. Being a remote and rural district has its benefits; these funds help us overcome the challenges associated with our geography and size,” said Brad Ray, Superintendent East Grand School District.

"Ensuring that students from rural areas have access to education is a top priority for us. The support we've received from Secure Rural Schools funding has been crucial in maintaining our transportation fleet, which is essential for bringing these students to our schools. We commend Congressman Joe Neguse for his leadership regarding this important legislation," said Katy Lee, President of the Steamboat Springs School District Board of Education.

“Congressman Neguse has continued to show his support for educational funding throughout our state. The Secure Rural Schools program is another example of his ongoing commitment, and Eagle County School District couldn't appreciate his efforts more. Having a voice like his in Washington can go a long way to help schools across the state of Colorado,” said Philip Qualman, Superintendent Eagle County School District.

The FY 2023 installments of SRS payments for Colorado’s 2 District included the following:

$30,092 for Boulder County
$538,765 for Clear Creek County
$823,968 for Eagle County
$22,929 for Gilpin County
$1,788,094 for Grand County
$186,413 for Jackson County
$34,268 for Jefferson County
$298,090 for Larimer County
$85,230 for Routt County
$1,039,005 for Summit County

More information on the program and the FY23 payments can be found here.

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