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2022-23 High-Impact Tutoring Grant

CDE’s High-Impact Tutoring Program Grant is open. An application information webinar will be held at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 1. Intent to Apply forms are due Friday, Feb. 15, and applications are due Wednesday, March 1.

Visit the HITP grants webpage for application instructions. Questions can be emailed to [email protected].

Application deadline for Commissioner’s Teacher Cabinet extended

The deadline for K-12 classroom teachers to submit their applications for a seat on the Commissioner’s Teacher Cabinet has been extended to Tuesday, Jan. 31. This is an opportunity for Colorado teachers to share their hands-on classroom knowledge with state leadership on an advisory group that is made up of 22 practicing teachers from around the state representing small, medium, large, rural, suburban and urban school systems.

To be considered, teachers must submit their applications via the online system by Tuesday, Jan. 31. Candidates will be informed of their application status by Friday, Feb. 17. The application and details are available on the Commissioner’s Teacher Cabinet webpage.

For questions or assistance, email [email protected].

Apply for the Early Literacy Grant - Professional Development

Applications are due by Wednesday, March 15, for the 2023-24 Early Literacy Grant – Professional Development application is open.

This grant opportunity is specifically intended for early literacy professional development for elementary educators and is meant to support Colorado educators in the implementation of scientifically based reading research programs and strategies for K-3 students.

There will be an application information webinar at 11 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 27 on Zoom.

View the ELG- Professional Development webpage to apply for the grant.

2023 READ Act Professional Development Review

CDE is reviewing professional development applications for evidence-based training to meet the requirements of Senate Bill 22-004: Evidence-Based Training in Science of Reading.

The review is a two-part process for vendors to submit professional development to be reviewed for inclusion on the CDE READ Act Professional Development Advisory List.

The 2023 Professional Development Review process began Jan. 17, and will close Friday, Jan. 27 . For additional information and to submit a Letter of Intent, visit the 2023 READ Act Professional Development Review Process webpage.

Monthly co-Literacy webinars for grades 4-12

CDE is hosting monthly virtual conversations for leaders, teachers and other classroom practitioners who support literacy in grades four to 12. The webinars will include research, resources and Tier 1 instructional support.

The first session will be at 3:45 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 26, via Zoom.

CDPHE School Nurse Grant Program

CDPHE has announced the Expanded School Nurse Grant Program Request for Applications. Applications are due Wednesday, March 1.

The purpose of the RFA is to solicit applications from eligible school districts, boards of cooperative services and charter schools committed to increasing K-12 school nursing services in Colorado.

Applicants may submit all questions via email to [email protected] with the subject line: "School Nurse Grant Program RFA Questions," by Friday, Jan. 20. Answers to submitted questions will be posted on the CDPHE website by Friday, Jan. 27.

Applications increased by 2% during Colorado Free Application Days

Colorado students submitted nearly 64,000 college and university admissions applications during Colorado Free Application Days. The fifth annual statewide initiative took place Oct. 18 through Oct. 20. The initiative increased participation from last year’s effort and saved students more than $2.7 million in waived fees. See the 2022 fact sheet.

Participating institutions received 63,976 applications in total, a 2% increase over last year’s campaign. Colorado State University in Fort Collins led with 11,344 applications, followed by the University of Colorado Boulder with 10,481 and University of Colorado Colorado Springs at 5,621.

This year’s Colorado Applies Month effort reached nearly 5,000 students from 53 schools and organizations, which hosted more than 22 college application and FAFSA/CASFA completion events statewide.

Most colleges offer application fee waivers year-round for families who are stretched financially. Learn more about how to request fee waivers by visiting the 2022 Colorado Free Application days webpage on the CDHE website.

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Funds to propel energy efficiency and renewables at Colorado schools

CDE's Capital Construction staff members are working with the Colorado Energy Office and the Governor’s Office to find grant opportunities to improve energy efficiency in Colorado schools and potentially align opportunities with Building Excellent Schools Today grants in the future. Visit the Energy Improvements at Public School Facilities program webpage for information on this initiative.

Below are two federal grants with applications due soon:

Concept papers for the Renew America Schools Grants are due Thursday, Jan. 26, and applications are due April 21. Schools can now apply for these grants with anticipated awards ranging from $500,000 to $15,000,000. Eligible activities include HVAC and lighting upgrades, renewable energy systems installation, alternative fuel vehicles and associated infrastructure improvements. Priority will be given to schools that serve as community assets and those that serve the highest-need districts.

Energy Champions Leading the Advancement of Sustainable Schools Prize grants are due Tuesday, Feb. 28. Energy CLASS is accepting applications from up to 25 local education agencies to receive $100,000 to help staff and train administration and facilities personnel as energy managers.

View this webpage from the U.S. Department of Energy about the 2022 Funding Opportunity Announcement for Energy Improvements at Public K-12 School Facilities Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Office of Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness Town Hall set for Jan. 24

Current and upcoming grant opportunities in the Office of Postsecondary & Workforce Readiness will be discussed during the virtual town hall at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 24. Register via Zoom.

View the PWR Town Hall Discussions webpage for additional information about the PWR Town Halls.

Applications for Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness, Career and Education Grant are due Wednesday, March 15

Applications for the Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness, Career and Education Grant, also referred to as the FAFSA/CAFSA Completion Grant, have reopened and are due March 15. Funding requests will be accepted for $1,000 to $10,000 per year for three years.

For full details and to apply for the grant, view the Financial Aid and FAFSA/CASFA Completion webpage.

2023-24 School Counselor Corps Grant Program Request for Application opens Wednesday, Jan. 18

The 2023-24 School Counselor Corps Grant Program Request for Application window opens Wednesday, Jan. 18.

The purpose of SCCGP is to increase the availability and implementation of effective school-based counseling to help increase the state graduation rate and the percentage of students who appropriately prepare for, apply to and continue into postsecondary education.

Visit the SCCGP webpage to access the RFA and application materials.

2023 READ Act Professional Development Review

CDE is reviewing professional development applications for evidence-based training to meet the requirements of Senate Bill 22-004: Evidence-Based Training in Science of Reading.

The review is a two-part process for vendors to submit professional development to be reviewed for inclusion on the CDE READ Act Professional Development Advisory List.
The 2023 Professional Development Review process will begin Tuesday, Jan. 17, and close Friday, Jan. 27 . For additional information and to submit a Letter of Intent, visit the 2023 READ Act Professional Development Review Process webpage.

For questions, contact [email protected].

Educator loan forgiveness programs

The Colorado Department of Higher Education is accepting applications for its Educator Loan Forgiveness Program and the Temporary Educator Loan Forgiveness Program. Each program will grant up to $5,000 annually to educators currently serving rural districts or teaching in hard-to-fill positions. To qualify, teachers, administrators and special service providers must have a license valid in Colorado.

The Educator Loan Forgiveness program prioritizes applicants who serve in an approved rural school district or teach in content-shortage areas—subjects that historically attract fewer educators.

The Temporary Educator Loan Forgiveness Program prioritizes educators who joined the workforce in 2019 through 2022 and who serve in an approved rural school district or teach in content-shortage areas.

Prospective applicants can check eligibility on the CDHE website.

View the Colorado Educator Loan Forgiveness webpage on the CDHE website for additional information.

State to close community COVID-19 testing sites Sunday, Jan. 15

Support for Community PCR COVID-19 Testing Sites will discontinue after Sunday, Jan. 15.

CDPHE’s free school testing programs will continue through at least the end of the 2022-23 school year.

2023 Teaching and Learning CoLab dates

The dates and host sites for this summer's Teaching and Learning CoLabs are:

  • Thursday, June 1 in Grand Junction hosted by Colorado Mesa University.
  • Wednesday, June 14 in Greeley hosted by the University of Northern Colorado.
  • To be scheduled in Pueblo hosted by CSU-Pueblo.

The Teaching and Learning CoLabs are one-day, multi-disciplinary, regional professional development meetings developed in partnership with Colorado's higher education institutions, professional teaching organizations and CDE. This year's content areas are expanding to include English Language Arts, math, health, PE, science, computer science, social studies, visual and performing arts and school leadership.

Schools are encouraged to attend a CoLab in teams, with teachers representing multiple grades and content areas.

Feedback Requested for Colorado's 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant Competition

The Colorado 21st Century Community Learning Centers Grant Program is gathering feedback from various stakeholders via an online survey and focus groups to help inform the upcoming grant competition scheduled to launch in February 2023.

The feedback survey is open and will close on Monday, Jan. 16.

The virtual focus groups will be held in four sessions. Interested participants should sign up for only one session. Each session is capped at 30 participants.

The 21st CCLC grant is the largest federal funding source for out-of-school time programs that serve high-poverty, low-performing schools. To learn more about the grant visit the 21st CCLC grant webpage.

High-Cost Reimbursement Applications are available

High-Cost Reimbursement Applications and Instructions for In-Administrative Unit and Out of District placements of students with disabilities on active IEPs for the 2021-22 school and fiscal year are available.

Completed applications and all supporting documents are due by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 1. Late submissions will not be accepted. Districts that have not submitted their 2021-22 finalized audited financials by March 1, will not be eligible for the high-cost reimbursement program.

Questions can be directed to Vicki Graham at [email protected].

Early Childhood and Universal Preschool Program town hall

The Early Childhood Leadership Commission will host a town hall at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 10, to provide updates about the Department of Early Childhood and Universal Preschool Program implementation process and opportunities to get involved.

Join the virtual town hall via Zoom. Spanish language interpretation will be available.

Engagement Opportunity: Join the Early Childhood Colorado Framework

The Early Childhood Leadership Commission is leading a process to refresh the state's Early Childhood Colorado Framework. The refresh will include a number of opportunities for diverse stakeholder engagement at a variety of levels to ensure the framework reflects the current system and vision for the future.

Complete this survey to share how you’d like to contribute to this process.

Compensation may be available for those who are otherwise not compensated for their participation in the various engagement opportunities. Language interpretation and other accommodations will also be provided.

Learn more on the Early Childhood Colorado website.

Opportunity Now grant program Letters of Intent due Monday, Jan. 23

Applications are open for the Opportunity Now grant program. Interested applicants should submit a Letter of Intent by Monday, Jan. 23, explaining their solution and how it will positively impact Coloradans.

Enacted by House Bill 22-1350 and administered by the Office of Economic Development and International Trade, the Opportunity Now Colorado grant program catalyzes industry and education collaboration to unlock economic mobility for Coloradans. The program seeks innovative solutions to meet Colorado’s workforce needs, partnerships that create intentional pathways between education systems and employers and opportunities for regional workers and students to connect with in-demand, high-skill, high-wage occupations. Multiple grant tracks are available for organizations and partnerships at various stages of program development, ranging from early-stage pilot programs to established, evidence-based programs.

To learn more visit the Opportunity Now website.