Chances are, you’ve received your 2020 U.S. Census form and sent it in by now. If not, however, it’s critical to understand the importance of complying.

Federal funding is allocated based on the number of residents in any locale. Thus, “the responses to the 2020 census will shape decisions about how billions of dollars in federal funds are spent every year,” Laurie Cipriano, with the U.S. Census Bureau, recently told Colorado Public Radio (CPR). “If you don’t respond to the census, your local community is missing out on federal funds.”

In Colorado, those funds could be considerable. Currently, the state is awarded $13 billion in federal funds each year, or $2,300 per person. The money goes to housing and Head Start programs, among many others. In recent years, however, the state’s population has exploded, meaning it should receive far more funding once the new census figures are in.

And that’s not all: “Researchers estimate Colorado could also gain an additional seat in Congress because of its population growth,” reports CPR.

Without an accurate head count, all of these things are in jeopardy.

CPR underscores that while a citizenship question was considered by the Trump administration, the question was not approved and is not on the census. It’s key that undocumented residents are counted as well.

All forms are due by July 31. Residents can also complete the census questions online or over the phone by that deadline.