The Colorado Department of Education has suspended federal grant funding at five schools in the state over low performance.

Four of the schools are in Pueblo, one is in Denver.

The state agency ruled that the final year of the School Improvement Grant funds for Pitts, Roncalli, Freed and Risley middle schools will not be awarded. The cuts will cost the schools more than $2 million this year.

According to the Pueblo Chieftain, only one other school in the state, Gilpin Elementary in Denver, had its grant money suspended.

State education officials say schools were warned that if they didn't improve, there would be sanctions.