144,000 Coloradans are in student loan default as repayment struggles increase nationwide
Violet Knowles said her $3,678.69 in student loan debt is haunting her like a specter. Violet and her husband Stellan Knowles, both 24, said they’ve tried to pay off the debt, which was borrowed by her mom. But they were stymied by technical…
In Colorado, the number of residents in default on their student loans has surged by 67% to 144,000 since April 2025, according to an Associated Press analysis. Nationwide, the count of borrowers in default has climbed by over 4.2 million to around 9.5 million during the same period. For Violet and Stellan Knowles, both 24, their student loan debt has become a constant source of stress.
They borrowed the $3,678.69 debt for her mother, but they struggled with technical difficulties in setting up their account, leading to months of being unable to make payments. The couple lost track of when the notices for payment started coming in when Violet moved from Memphis, Tennessee, to Aurora, Colorado, in August 2024. Stellan, who is the sole breadwinner, said the cost of living in Colorado is far more expensive than in Memphis.
They have relied on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits to make ends meet. Violet, who has a disability, has also had to take time off from a job. The Knowleses are hoping to consolidate their debt to start payments again.
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