(Colorado Springs, Colo.) — A federal court judge has rejected a Trump Administration appeal to pause trillions in federal funding, but some grantees in Colorado are still without that money.

This all comes after a lower court judge found the administration had not fully obeyed an earlier order to unfreeze the money. The Justice Department argued the order prevents the executive branch from exercising its authority, including over discretionary spending or fraud. Several states meanwhile, argued that the President can’t block money that Congress has approved.

In Colorado specifically, more than $570 million in federal funding is still in limbo. The Governor and state lawmakers are now urging the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to address the funding gap.

Head Start, Meals on Wheels, and veterans’ suicide prevention programs are all affected. Some Colorado lawmakers warn the funding freeze threatens local economies and workforces, especially in rural areas, causing widespread effects. However, not everyone agrees.

The Trump Administration is defending its decision to freeze federal aid.

“It is the responsibility of this President and this administration to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars,” Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary said.

In Colorado, federal funds make up about 25% of the state’s total budget.

“All of this, if implemented as requested, would have a devastating impact on Colorado, a devastating impact,” Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-CO) explained. “Head Start a truly vital service for over 9,000 low income kids in Colorado would be forced to shutter its operations that provide for these low income kids of all communities with the early childhood education, health and nutrition that they need. If implemented, it would cut off 83,000 low income Colorado families form the low income Home Energy Assistance Program. Our public safety and law enforcement would be weakened. Colorado has one of the largest veteran populations in the country, something we’re very proud of. But this funding would cut resources for those vets. It would cut resources for community based suicide prevention efforts.”

Newly sworn in Colorado Congressman Jeff Crank told FOX21 News there’s lots of people in Colorado who are very dependent on the federal government and this freeze is an opportunity to take a step back.

“I think it’s reasonable for the president to have frozen funds to figure out where we are,” Rep. Jeff Crank (R-CO) explained. “We ought to be thankful that we have an administration that is actually looking to root out waste, fraud and abuse. They didn’t withould direct payments to individuals, as I understand it. So these are payments that go to municipalities and grants and things like that.”

Senator Hickenlooper, alongside Senator Michael Bennet and Governor Jared Polis, is urging the OMB to provide clarification on the actions being taken to comply with recent court orders.

“These programs have bipartisan support and Congress has passed them and the President doesn’t have the constitutional ability just to make his own decision about funding,” Sen. Bennet said.

They are requesting an explanation of which specific funding streams were not promptly reinstated after multiple courts mandated the end of the funding freeze.

“My concern is that the President and his crew will intimidate people in a way that will make them less able or less willing to go protect these institutions, protect these checks and balances and we just can’t let that happen,” Sen. Bennet said.

“I’m just kind of stuck with the irony of on the one hand, let’s not help the federal government do anything to enforce immigration laws, and on the other hand, by the way, here’s my handout, give me a little bit of money,” Rep. Crank said.

Additional programs paused include cancer research, rural telehealth options and infectious disease preparation. FOX21 News will continue to follow this and keep the public informed.