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Western Slope lawmakers in Colorado say they are relieved after a Trump administration decision to freeze federal funding was rescinded on Wednesday. 

Just two days after a directed federal offices to as part of a widespread review of government spending, the administration abandoned its order.

The memo was issued Monday night, and the freeze temporarily went into effect Tuesday. Colorado’s governor and attorney general said they would sue alongside other states to stop the order, which was eventually halted Tuesday afternoon when a . 

But by then it had already caused panic from lawmakers unsure of what the possible suspension of tens of billions of dollars in payments to the state would mean for local and state programs that relied on federal aid — especially those in Colorado’s high-cost Western Slope.

House Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, feels the Trump administration did not understand the ramifications of how the freeze would affect communities. 

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McCluskie said rescinding the order was “clearly the right thing” and that it gives the state “some breathing room right now.”

“Hopefully, if there is going to be something (else) coming, they will provide communication and clarity,” McCluskie said. “But my hope is that we will not see a decrease in federal funding to the state for the many important safety-net services and other programs in education that depend on these dollars to do the right thing for working families and kids.” 

Wednesday’s reversal of the pause is not to be confused with Trump’s executive orders seeking to end funding in areas like diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and environmental justice, which are still active and were credited as the reason behind the funding freeze.

Rep. Elizabeth Velasco, D-Glenwood Springs, said she is still concerned that the Trump administration could carry through with plans that withhold vital federal funding in the future. She said there are still a lot of unanswered questions about the temporary freeze and what happens next. 

“I feel like (the administration) already gave us a warning that that’s something they can do and will do, and we want to know what our protections are to be able to at least get the money that has been appropriated,” Velasco said. 

Velasco said she is planning to meet with local officials in her district to get a better understanding of what the impacts have been so far and what problems may arise in the future.