The 2020 Census is one year away, and the State of Colorado is working on efforts to ensure a complete and accurate count. This critical process ensures that Colorado receives fair representation in Congress and its fair share of federal funding. The data collected is then used by states for redistricting.
“The Census is about so much more than a population count,” said Governor Jared Polis. “It’s also about making sure our state gets the resources it needs to support our communities and plan for the future. Funding from the census can go toward new roads, new schools, new emergency services and economic opportunities.”
There is approximately $880 billion in federal funding allocated across the United States based on Census counts. In Colorado, this equates to approximately $13 billion annually or an estimated $2,300 per person according to a study by George Washington University. Some of the programs funded by Census dollars are Head Start programs; section 8 housing; Tier 1 grants for educational agencies and emergency food and shelter.
Colorado has formed a State Complete Count Campaign (CCC) that is focused on education, awareness and motivation to participate in the first-ever online census. The Census is also available in 13 different languages and can be filled out online, via the paper form or responding by phone. The new online format saves taxpayer dollars.
“The Census is about so much more than a population count. It’s also about making sure our state gets the resources it needs to support our communities and plan for the future.”
Governor Jared Polis
The Census is safe and important; the answers are protected by law and are not shared with anyone pursuant to federal law, to include any other Federal Agency. While it is the Census Bureau’s responsibility to count everyone in the country, it is our local communities who will benefit the most by an accurate count.
“By obtaining an accurate count for Colorado, the critical investments through federal allocations will be possible in Colorado communities,” said Natriece Bryant, Deputy Director for the Colorado Department of Local Affairs and State Chair for Colorado’s Complete Count Committee.
To learn more, go to the Colorado Census 2020 website (https://demography.dola.colorado.gov/census_2020) to get additional information, fact sheets and resources for communities and organizations to use.
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