Colorado’s Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers Cohort X grant competition applications are due Monday, April 10.

CDE will award approximately $5.5 million in 21st CCLC funding for Cohort X. Grant awards will range from $50,000 to $180,000 per year per center. Priority will be given to those programs serving students who attend high-poverty, low-performing schools.

For application materials, technical assistance opportunities, and tools and resource for applying, visit the 21st CCLC Cohort X webpage.

The 21st CCLC grant program is authorized under Title IV, Part B of the Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015. The purpose of this important program is to establish or expand community learning centers that:

1. Provide opportunities for academic enrichment to help students meet state and local student performance standards in core academic subjects such as reading, writing, and mathematics;
2. Offer students a broad array of additional services, programs, and activities that are designed to reinforce and complement the regular academic program of participating students; and
3. Offer families of students served by community learning centers opportunities for active and meaningful engagement in their children’s education, including opportunities for literacy and related educational development.

CDE has created the ESSER Convening for Pandemic Recovery Grant to ensure that districts across the state can learn from colleagues facing similar challenges.

CDE will make up to $150,000 of ARP ESSER III funding available for this program. Eligible applicants are invited to submit applications that meet the needs of their program(s) with a maximum of $50,000 per application. 

A recording of the application webinar is available on the ESSER Convening for Pandemic Recovery Grant Program webpage.

Intent to Apply forms are due Friday, Feb. 24. The Intent to Apply is encouraged, but not required. Applications close on Wednesday, March 8.

• Fiscal questions may be directed to Tricia Miller, grants fiscal management, at [email protected] or 303-877-2154.
• Program questions maybe be directed to Christina Monaco, executive director of field services, [email protected] or 303-981-6513.
• Application process questions may be directed to Mandy Christensen, grants program administration, [email protected] or 303-957-6217.

To help 21st Century Community Learning Centers grant applicants write a competitive application, CDE will host several grant-writing training sessions across the state. The 2023 21st CCLC Request for Application will be used as a framework for the training.

Each training will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided. Register at for a grant-writing training session on the Cohort X Grant Application webpage.

Training Dates:

• Monday, Feb. 27, Denver Metro.
• Wednesday, March 1, Limon.
• Monday, March 6, Montrose.
• Tuesday, March 7, Glenwood Springs.
• Wednesday, March 15, virtual session.

CDE will convene stakeholder groups for the review of the following endorsement areas for possible updating of the preparation standards:

• Special Education Generalist
• Special Education Specialist
• Special Education Director
• Early Childhood Special Education
• Early Childhood Special Education Specialist

The first meeting will be held virtually at 8 a.m. on Friday, March 3, and will require a full-day commitment. Additional meetings are scheduled for March 31, April 7 and May 5.

Complete the interest form by Friday, Feb. 24.

District/BOCES hiring managers, district/BOCES special education directors/leaders, special education and early childhood special education teachers, representatives from institutions of higher education and designated agencies are invited to participate in the conversations. Groups will be designed to include a broad representation of stakeholders, yet limited in size to allow for rich conversation and input.

For additional information visit the Educator Talent Preparation Office webpage.

The Federal Programs and Supports Unit will hold winter regional network meetings to support local education authorities in planning and preparing to submit their 2023-24 Consolidated Application. The RNMs will focus on supporting LEAs in creating a Consolidated Application that is driven by student needs and evaluations of current uses of federal funds with a focus on using ESEA funds to improve student outcomes. The training will include networking opportunities and collaborative work time.

Dates and Locations:

• 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22, Douglas County Board Room.
• 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28, Greeley-Evans Family Center.
• 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 1, Summit RE-1 Professional Development Building.
• 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 7, Pueblo 60 Board Room at the Administration Office.
• 12:30 p.m. Thursday, March 9, Virtual Session.

Additional information can be found on the RNM webpage.