Advance Colorado Broadband Mini Grant Program

The Advance Colorado Broadband Mini Grant Program is administered by the Colorado Broadband Office (CBO) to accelerate broadband expansion across the state. It leverages funds from the Capital Projects Fund (CPF) and State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) to improve broadband access in unserved and underserved areas. The Mini Grant Program complements the larger Advance-CPF Grant Program and follows its overarching guidelines unless otherwise stated. Approximately $800,000 is available for awards, with the CBO reserving the right to allocate future funding rounds to qualifying applications as new resources become available. The program’s primary goal is to facilitate the construction of fiber broadband infrastructure that can deliver symmetrical 100 Mbps service with latency below 100 milliseconds. Applicants are encouraged to exceed this minimum where feasible, offering gigabit service tiers to enhance community connectivity. Eligible projects must target locations lacking wireline access of at least 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload, based on the FCC’s December 2024 Broadband Data Collection data. Locations already under enforceable federal or state funding commitments are excluded. Applicants may also include community anchor institutions located within proposed project areas. Eligibility is limited to entities that have previously received state or federal broadband deployment grants from the CBO. This includes representatives from industry, local governments, community-based nonprofits, Tribal governments, utilities, and other partnerships. A minimum 20% matching contribution is required for all projects, and waivers are not permitted. All projects must be completed by September 30, 2026. Funding recipients must adhere to state and federal regulations governing reporting, recordkeeping, and compliance, as outlined in the Advance-CPF Grant Program Guidelines and the OIT Compliance and Reporting Guidelines. The application window runs from October 8, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. MST to November 7, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. Applications must be submitted by email to advance_cbo@state.co.us using the official Project Application Template. Required attachments include a project description, detailed budget, location list, high-level network design, proof of matching funds, and letters of Tribal consent when applicable. CBO staff may request clarification or additional documentation prior to the submission deadline. Applications will undergo a three-stage evaluation process: completeness screening, eligibility verification, and final scoring based on selection criteria. Evaluators will assess cost reasonableness, project readiness, experience, and the total number of locations served. The challenge process follows award announcements, allowing eligible entities—such as ISPs, local governments, and Tribal authorities—to dispute awards based on existing or planned broadband service availability. Successful challengers must demonstrate reliable wireline infrastructure capable of symmetrical 100 Mbps service or provide verified construction commitments. Awards will be announced on November 19, 2025, followed by a 14-day challenge period. Final awards will be issued on December 9, 2025, and grant agreements executed by January 8, 2026. Awardees are required to enter into a Grant Agreement with the State of Colorado, maintain performance and payment bonds, and meet all reporting obligations through the project completion deadline of September 30, 2026.

Applications prioritized for readiness, fiber capability, and cost-efficiency; ensure all attachments complete and proof of match verified.