State Grants to Libraries in Colorado

The State Grants to Libraries program is administered by the Colorado State Library to support public, school (K-12), and academic libraries across Colorado. These grants are intended to provide educational resources that would otherwise be inaccessible due to budget limitations. The goal is to enhance literacy and learning statewide, with the understanding that such access contributes to a more educated and informed public. The program operates under the authority of C.R.S. 24-90-402. Funding is designed to support the acquisition of educational resources, which include books, periodicals, audiovisual materials, and electronic information resources. These funds are not to replace existing local or state funding, but to supplement current efforts, ensuring libraries continue their ongoing financial support. The grants are distributed through the GAINS (Grants Administration Implementation and Navigation System) platform, where applicants must submit a completed application including budget, assurances, eligibility confirmation, and necessary approvals. Eligibility varies slightly by library type. Academic libraries must be state-supported institutions that are primarily for student and faculty use and must participate in interlibrary resource sharing. Public libraries must be legally established under Colorado Library Law, maintain compliance with 13 specified public library standards, and participate in the Colorado Libraries Collaborate (CLC) program. School libraries must be publicly supported, and school districts act as the sole applicant on behalf of their libraries. They must meet minimum criteria including having a dedicated facility, staff, and organized circulating collections. All participating libraries must not charge residents for interlibrary loan services or internet access, and must comply with filtering or content safety rules if electronic devices are provided to minors. Applications for the 2025–2026 funding cycle must be submitted through GAINS no later than 4:00 PM on Monday, September 15, 2025. The application is only considered fully submitted once it reaches the status of “LEA Authorized Representative Approved.” Approvals are required from designated leadership based on the library type, and may be completed digitally within GAINS or via signed documents uploaded to the system. Budget entries must match allocation amounts with no remaining balances to avoid submission errors. Approved libraries will receive award notifications in late September or early October, with reimbursements available shortly thereafter. Expenses must be incurred between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. All funds are distributed on a reimbursement basis and must be requested through GAINS by July 15, 2026. Libraries are also required to submit a final expenditure report by September 30, 2026, detailing how the funds were used and the outcomes achieved. Failure to complete the final report will affect future eligibility. Support is available for applicants, including recorded webinars and guides. General questions should be directed to Melissa Carlson at 720-737-1829 or via email. Technical questions regarding the GAINS platform may be directed to Megan Winicki or the GAINS team via GAINS@cde.state.co.us. Office hours for additional support are offered weekly on Tuesdays from 12:30 to 1:00 PM.

Refer to the webinar and slides available in the Resources section; ensure your budget matches the allocation with zero remaining balance to avoid errors