Eagle County School District receives federal funding boost from Secure Rural Schools program
This could be the final payment from the U.S. Forest Service’s Secure Rural Schools and Self-Determination Program, unless it sees another renewal
Eagle County School District was among several rural Colorado districts to receive funding from the Fiscal Year 2023 Secure Rural Schools payments. This funding is allocated by the U.S. Forest Service’s Secure Rural Schools and Self-Determination Program.
Rep. Joe Neguse who represents Eagle County in Colorado’s 2nd Congressional District, announced that a total of $4.8 million was distributed to school districts in his district. Eagle County received $823,968 from the Secure Rural Schools program, which is then distributed to local schools. The Eagle County School District received $681,554 of this. Matt Miano, the district’s chief communications officer, said at least half of the funds received are redistributed to other community organizations through a grant process.
“Congressman Neguse has continued to show his support for educational funding throughout our state. The Secure Rural Schools program is another example of his ongoing commitment, and Eagle County School District couldn’t appreciate his efforts more. Having a voice like his in Washington can go a long way to help schools across the state of Colorado,” said Philip Qualman, superintendent of the Eagle County School District, in a news release.
The funding, which was allocated by the U.S. Forest Service in April 2024, is the final payment communities will receive through the program if Congress does not reauthorize it. Neguse, who helped secure a two-year extension of the program through 2023 as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is championing a bipartisan bill in Congress that would reauthorize the funding program through 2026.
The program provides funding to rural communities that are home to federal lands, providing payments derived in part through timber receipts and other leasing activities within National Forests back to county governments where those forests are located, including many of those in Colorado’s Western Slope. These funds are then distributed to help eligible counties maintain local roads, support schools, conduct wildfire mitigation, and more.
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Across the country, the U.S. Forest Service allocated over $232 million in 2023 funds to public schools, roads and municipal services.
“The Secure Rural Schools program is just one of the ways the Forest Service supports communities nationwide,” said Forest Service Chief Randy Moore. “This funding aids schools and roads, reimburses counties for national forest emergency services, and assists in creating community wildfire protection plans – all critical programs designed to enhance the quality of life in these communities.”
Correction: An earlier version of this story indicated that Eagle County School District received $823,968 from the Secure Rural Schools program. However, this was the amount received by Eagle County. The school district received $681,554 of that amount.
