State official warns Aurora committee of shifting federal funding, litigation risks to local grants

Alyssa Denberg, director of federal funding and strategic coordination in the Colorado Governor—s Office of Federal Funds and Strategic Initiatives, told Aurora—s Pfizer Committee on July 18 that litigation and proposed changes in federal policy are affecting federal grants and could have local consequences.

Denberg briefed committee members on active lawsuits, proposed federal budget changes she summarized from what she called the "big beautiful bill," and recent shifts in grant administration. "We are starting to see changes in terms and conditions," Denberg said, urging local staff to monitor contract negotiations for grants awarded before the federal administration change.

The presentation laid out several areas of immediate concern for local governments: litigation affecting Department of Transportation grants (including preliminary injunctions), an ongoing federal challenge over a Department of Education withholding of $70,000,000 in formula funding, and broad proposed cuts Denberg summarized as roughly $163,000,000,000…