In this Feb. 20, 2013 photo, a cadet walks to class, past the body of a jet fighter decorating the central courtyard at the U.S. Air Force Academy, north of Colorado Springs, Colo. The Colorado economy could lose more than $48 million in wages over the next few months if automatic spending cuts take effect, a Colorado Springs business official said Thursday. That total is for civilian employees at Air Force installations alone, said Andrew Merritt, chief defense industry officer for the Colorado Springs Regional Business Alliance. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)

DENVER | Examples of how Colorado could be affected by the automatic budget cuts that are set to take effect this week.

In this Feb. 20, 2013 photo, a cadet walks to class, past the body of a jet fighter decorating the central courtyard at the U.S. Air Force Academy, north of Colorado Springs, Colo. The Colorado economy could lose more than $48 million in wages over the next few months if automatic spending cuts take effect, a Colorado Springs business official said Thursday. That total is for civilian employees at Air Force installations alone, said Andrew Merritt, chief defense industry officer for the Colorado Springs Regional Business Alliance. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)
In this Feb. 20, 2013 photo, a cadet walks to class, past the body of a jet fighter decorating the central courtyard at the U.S. Air Force Academy, north of Colorado Springs, Colo. The Colorado economy could lose more than $48 million in wages over the next few months if automatic spending cuts take effect, a Colorado Springs business official said Thursday. That total is for civilian employees at Air Force installations alone, said Andrew Merritt, chief defense industry officer for the Colorado Springs Regional Business Alliance. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley)

The White House compiled the numbers from federal agencies and its own budget office. The numbers reflect the impact of the cuts this year. Unless Congress acts by Friday, $85 billion in cuts are set to take effect from March-September.

As to whether states could move money around to cover shortfalls, the White House said that depends on state budget structures and the specific programs. The White House did not have a list of which states or programs might have flexibility.

EDUCATION:

— Colorado could lose about $8.4 million in funding for primary and secondary education, putting around 120 teacher and aide jobs at risk. About 12,000 fewer students would be served and about 40 fewer schools would receive funding.

— The state could lose about $8.1 million in funds for about 100 teachers, aides, and staff who help children with disabilities.

— Head Start and Early Head Start would be eliminated for about 700 children.

ENVIRONMENT:

— Colorado could lose about $2 million in environmental funding and another $1.2 million in grants for fish and wildlife protection.

MILITARY READINESS:

— About 12,000 civilian Department of Defense employees would be furloughed, reducing gross pay by around $68.5 million.

— The state could lose $57 million in funding for Army base operations and $8 million for Air Force base operations.

LAW ENFORCEMENT:

— A $213,000 cut in grants that support law enforcement, prosecution, courts, crime prevention, corrections, drug treatment and enforcement, and crime victim and witness initiatives.

— Colorado could lose $331,000 in funding for job search assistance, referral and placement.

PUBLIC HEALTH:

— About 2,240 fewer children will receive vaccines due to reduced funding of about $153,000.

— The state could lose about $1.3 million in grants to help prevent and treat substance abuse and up to $109,000 in funds that provide services to victims of domestic violence.

— A $720,000 cut in funds that provide meals for seniors.

3 replies on “How automatic budget cuts could affect Colorado”

  2. Wow! All of this because we are spending more money than last year. Imagine what would happened if we actually just froze spending, or for heavens sake, cut spending.

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