Colorado secured a temporary legal victory on Thursday after a federal judge granted an emergency temporary restraining order blocking the termination of several public health grants. The action came after the state received termination letters from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention earlier in the day. The order temporarily preserves millions in funding tied to disease prevention and public health infrastructure.
The dispute stems from a decision by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to terminate certain grants awarded to four Democratic-led states: Colorado, California, Illinois and Minnesota. The targeted funding supports public health infrastructure as well as HIV testing, treatment and sexually transmitted infection surveillance programs. Federal officials had notified Congress earlier in the week of their intent to terminate the grants, as required under a provision in the recently signed Consolidated Appropriations Act.
Colorado joined the three other states in filing for emergency relief in anticipation of receiving formal termination notices. The lawsuit argues that cutting the funding would disrupt disease monitoring systems and undermine access to treatment for life-threatening conditions. State officials say the programs play a critical role in protecting public health across their communities.
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois granted the TRO for 14 days, temporarily preventing the terminations from taking effect. Gov. Jared Polis welcomed the ruling, saying the funds are vital to keeping Coloradans safe and pledging to continue defending the state’s access to federal public health resources as the case proceeds.