Story perspectives

Judge Rules Against Trump, Protects Child Care Funds

1/13/2026

Center

Judge Defends Child Care

A federal judge ruled the Trump administration cannot block funds for child care subsidies, supporting 1.3 million children.
Colorado faces a child care crisis from a federal funding freeze affecting low-income families.
The freeze linked to alleged fraud has caused chaos in five Democratic-led states, including Colorado.
Counties have passed tax measures to support child care funding, and enrollment may drop 64% without additional federal support.

Right

Ernst and Gosar Demand Halt

Sen. Joni Ernst and Rep. Paul Gosar urged the National Institutes of Health to halt more than $3 million in funding for bat coronavirus research.
Funding supports Colorado State University’s bat breeding facility, which has received nearly $13 million since 2016.
Critics say the research poses biosafety risks and could contribute to future pandemics, linked to the origins of COVID-19.
The NIH acknowledged the lawmakers’ letter and will respond directly.

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Judge Defends Child Care

A federal judge ruled the Trump administration cannot block funds for child care subsidies, supporting 1.3 million children.
Colorado faces a child care crisis from a federal funding freeze affecting low-income families.
The freeze linked to alleged fraud has caused chaos in five Democratic-led states, including Colorado.
Counties have passed tax measures to support child care funding, and enrollment may drop 64% without additional federal support.

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