By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice
Illegal immigrants have targeted Denver as a key destination since late 2022. The rate of new arrivals may have decreased in 2024, but the fiscal impact on the city’s finances, schools and healthcare systems has not.
A recent report by the Common Sense Institute (CSI) shows the fiscal burden on Denver. It found that, as of November 2024, $79 million was spent on services for illegal immigrants. This figure represents about 8% of the city’s 2025 budget. These funds were allocated to a variety of essential services, including:
- Temporary shelter and housing assistance.
- Transportation and food distribution.
- Childcare and other support services.
City officials initially projected spending of $180 million through 2024. Actual costs came in below that estimate. However, the long-term costs of education and healthcare are straining Denver’s resources and planning.
Since the end of 2022, Denver metro schools have seen an influx of 16,197 migrant students. This has required both funding and new logistics. According to CSI, it costs $228 million to educate those students. That’s 1-2% of Colorado’s education budget. The estimated cost per migrant student is $14,100. That’s slightly below the national average of $16,345, as reported by the Heritage Foundation.
To help with these challenges, the Colorado legislature provided one-time funding. The legislation, signed by the governor in April 2024, provided $24 million in supplemental funds for districts.
Chalkbeat Colorado found that Denver Public Schools would get $5.35 million to support 2,340 new migrant students.
Other districts received between $15,000 and $750,000, depending on enrollment. BillTrack50 reported that this funding aimed to offset immediate costs. It was for services, such as “English learner” programs and repurposed classrooms, and for additional staffing.
Schools have received federal funding to support English learners (ELs) and immigrant students, as well as state aid. Title III is a federal grant program under the ESEA. It provides extra funds to improve education for English learners. The U.S. Department of Education allocates these funds to states based on English learner and immigrant student enrollment.
Last year, Title III formula grants totaled about $890 million. The Colorado Department of Education outlines the allowable use of these funds which include:
- Family literacy, parent outreach and training to help parents engage in their children’s education.
- Support for personnel, including teacher aides trained to serve immigrant children.
- Tutoring, mentoring and career or academic counseling. Also, the finding and acquiring of extra materials and software.
- Basic instruction services from their enrollment, including classroom supplies and transportation costs.
- Other services to assist immigrant students: civics education and an intro to the school system, etc.
- Activities provided by community-based organizations, institutes of higher education and private sector entities to assist parents.
The public cost of Denver’s illegal immigration crisis isn’t limited to education.
Denver’s healthcare systems have experienced significant pressure because of the illegal migrant influx. Since December 2022, metro-area hospitals have reported 16,760 emergency room visits by migrants.
The result? $49 million in uncompensated care costs. The average cost of $2,931 per visit strains the region’s healthcare infrastructure.
In 2023, Denver Health, a major provider for migrants, spent $10 million on migrant care alone. However, hospitals across the region have borne the majority of these uncompensated costs.
Denver’s experience serves as a microcosm of the broader national challenge of migration. The flow of “new arrivals” has slowed. But the financial strain on public systems continues.
In April 2024, the city of Denver made budget cuts across all city agencies to the tune of $45.9 million. These cuts impacted police and fire departments.
As Denver addresses these challenges, long-term solutions are needed. Fiscal constraints and the dilemma of how tax dollars benefit residents linger.
And another question surfaces: How can cities like Denver handle illegal immigration without bankrupting budgets and overburdening public services?