The U.S. federal government has recently released $47 million for Colorado’s anti-drought projects, which aim to mitigate the damage caused to the Colorado River and other major water sources. However, the funds took over a year to arrive, sparking outrage among many Colorado residents directed at the Trump administration.
According to reports from CPR News, the funds were originally promised in 2024 by the Biden administration and will be used for four projects across the state. The goal is to support irrigation initiatives and build drought-resilient infrastructure.
However, the money did not arrive until recently. In August 2025, congressmen from Colorado sent a letter to the federal government requesting the release of $140 million to be used for these projects. Only many months later did the federal administration send $47 million, and there is still over $90 million yet to come.
Colorado Residents Believe Trump Administration Dragged Its Feet With Drought Funding
Multiple Colorado residents on Reddit’s r/Colorado associated the recent actions of the federal government with Governor Jared Polis’ decision to commute Tina Peters’ prison sentence. Peters was convicted in 2024 for breaching the election computer systems of Mesa County over unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud.
One of them asked sarcastically, “I’m sure this has nothing to do w/ Polis reducing Ms Peter’s sentence?” Someone else responded, “Well, now we know why Polis bent the knee like a [expletive] coward.”
Overall, people seemed deeply disappointed in the Colorado governor. “Imagine how much that would have rehabilitated his legacy if he’d done that, refused to commute her sentence, and told everyone why. Instead, he will always be viewed as a traitor,” one wrote. Another person slammed him, saying, “Polis sold his soul to the devil. Like all the others.”
What really irked some Colorado residents, however, was how they felt betrayed for so little: “We sold out democracy for $50 million? I’m not surprised to learn that Tina Peters was a transaction. But [expletive] me, $50 million?”
As the midterm elections draw near, it is easy to see how these issues could become contentious among voters, and partisan controversies are expected to continue throughout 2026.
