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2020 Census is at risk of being inaccurate
(May 22) – The 2020 Census is underfunded and behind schedule. Gov. Polis signed Rep. Kerry Tipper and Rep. Yadira Caraveo’s bill that allocates funds around the state to ensure a complete census count of all Coloradans.
“Our economy and population are growing so it’s important that we count every person in Colorado in the census. Our state could lose over $630 million in heath care, education and transportation funding with even a one percent undercount,” said Rep. Tipper, D-Lakewood.
“The census is a critical component of our democracy. It impacts every level of government, our roads, our schools and our future,” said Rep. Caraveo, D-Thornton. “This new law will help Colorado compete for valuable federal dollars. If we don’t get the count done right, that money could go to another state.”
Valid census data is tied to billions of dollars of federal funding allocations for Colorado. The state is estimated to receive over $1,480 per person annually from the federal government based on population numbers from the Census. Census dollars help fund transportation (public transit, road rehabilitation and construction); Head Start programs; Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Food Nutrition Service, Health and human services programs, and more.
HB19-1239 creates an appointed bipartisan and diverse committee, administered by the Dept. of Local Affairs, to award grants to nonprofits and local governments to ensure a complete count across all of Colorado for the 2020 Census.