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Colorado and some cities will receive more federal funds; amounts unknown
By John SankoDenver Rocky Mountain News Capitol Bureau
Colorado will get far more than an extra congressional seat out of the new census figures. It also will get more money. No one is sure just how much, but state and city officials expect it to run into the hundreds of millions. "It's good news," said Denver Mayor Wellington Webb, who expects his city will bump over the 500,000 population mark, making it eligible for a pot of federal dollars given to larger communities. Colorado will receive about $300 million more over 10 years than previously estimated, state demographer Jim Westkott said, because Colorado's population grew about 200,000 more than had been expected. And based on Colorado's 4.3 million population figure, Denver should end up with more than 537,000 residents, he predicted. Denver now is in the 400,000-to-500,000 population classification. Webb issued a warning back in April that the city could lose upwards of $24 million if there were just a 3.06 percent undercount. He urged city residents to cooperate with census takers. "Anything over 500,000 is good for us," Webb said. "I'm very pleased that unlike other central cities, Denver is not losing population. I think this will show Denver is growing as well as suburban counterparts. This should free up some additional money." Gov. Bill Owens said the state is working to review the impact of the new numbers on everything from extra federal dollars to its affect on the Taxpayers Bill of Rights, which limits spending and revenues based on population growth and inflation. "We don't have any exact figures, but I know that many federal programs are based on population," Owens said. "So with a larger population comes more ability to receive federal funds." U.S Census - 2000Use the form below to view the resident population numbers from the 2000 Census. Sort by: State Pop. as of 2000 Pop. as of 1990 Numeric Change Percent Change Related stories: Colorado rewarded for growth Census confirms quick growth State growth will bring in more money Colorado's population in perspective State gains political clout Seventh House seat up for grabs Graphics: State-by-state growth Colorado population timeline Congressional winners and losers State Treasurer Mike Coffman said it would be only a "guess-timate" to try to put a dollar figure on the population gain. Sam Mamet, associate director of the Colorado Municipal League, said he's seen all sorts of figures bandied about on states and local governments receiving from $150 to $165 per person annually in federal aid. But he dismisses those numbers. "Not all of the federal funds are distributed back to local governments on a population basis," Mamet explained. "In the old days, under revenue sharing where the feds returned a portion back based on population, you could figure it. But that program has been out of existence for more than 15 years." Contact John Sanko at (303) 892-5404 or at sankoj@RockyMountainNews.com. December 29, 2000
Colorado will get far more than an extra congressional seat out of the new census figures.
It also will get more money. No one is sure just how much, but state and city officials expect it to run into the hundreds of millions.
"It's good news," said Denver Mayor Wellington Webb, who expects his city will bump over the 500,000 population mark, making it eligible for a pot of federal dollars given to larger communities.
Colorado will receive about $300 million more over 10 years than previously estimated, state demographer Jim Westkott said, because Colorado's population grew about 200,000 more than had been expected.
And based on Colorado's 4.3 million population figure, Denver should end up with more than 537,000 residents, he predicted. Denver now is in the 400,000-to-500,000 population classification.
Webb issued a warning back in April that the city could lose upwards of $24 million if there were just a 3.06 percent undercount. He urged city residents to cooperate with census takers.
"Anything over 500,000 is good for us,"
Webb said. "I'm very pleased that unlike other central cities, Denver is not losing population. I think this will show Denver is growing as well as suburban counterparts. This should free up some additional money."
Gov. Bill Owens said the state is working to review the impact of the new numbers on everything from extra federal dollars to its affect on the Taxpayers Bill of Rights, which limits spending and revenues based on population growth and inflation.
"We don't have any exact figures, but I know that many federal programs are based on population," Owens said. "So with a larger population comes more ability to receive federal funds."
Sam Mamet, associate director of the Colorado Municipal League, said he's seen all sorts of figures bandied about on states and local governments receiving from $150 to $165 per person annually in federal aid. But he dismisses those numbers.
"Not all of the federal funds are distributed back to local governments on a population basis," Mamet explained.
"In the old days, under revenue sharing where the feds returned a portion back based on population, you could figure it. But that program has been out of existence for more than 15 years."
Contact John Sanko at (303) 892-5404 or at sankoj@RockyMountainNews.com.
December 29, 2000
