Colorado schools got nearly $2 billion in COVID aid. Now the money is ending and districts face tough budget decisions.
![Denver Public School students at Ellis Elementary School follow their 1st grade teacher Megan Westmore to her classroom Denver Public School students at Ellis Elementary School follow their 1st grade teacher Megan Westmore to her classroom](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.denverpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/TDP-L-DPS-FirstDay-RJS-2415.jpg?w=521)
Nearly $2 billion in federal aid flowed into Colorado school districts’ coffers during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and, with that money, they expanded tutoring for children, started after-school and summer programs and increased mental health services.