State Grants to Libraries

In the 2025 legislative session, the Colorado Legislature appropriated nearly $3 million in the state's budget to fund the State Grants to Libraries Act. The funds will be available to eligible publicly funded school, public and academic libraries to fund grants for library materials as defined in the statute (see CRS 24-90-401). The purpose of the funds is for educational materials in libraries that support efforts to improve literacy and learning.

Funding Available for 2025-2026

The Colorado State Library is excited to announce that nearly $3 million in State Grants to Libraries funding is available for 2025-2026! The Colorado Legislature appropriated these grant funds because of the continued impact they provide to the communities the libraries serve. Projected funding amounts for 2025-2026 (PDF) are available here (one grant awarded per library jurisdiction, academic institution, or school district).

Timeline

July 23, 2025: Application opens in GAINS
August 31, 2025: 2024-2025 final expenditure report due
Instructions in Resources section below
September 15, 2025: Applications due

October 2025: Final award amounts announced
July 15, 2025 to June 30, 2026: grant funding period
July 15, 2026: Last day to request funds

Latest Publications

section of 2024-2025 state grants to libraries distribution map

2024-2025 Distribution of State Grants to Libraries (PDF): View a map of where the 2024-2025 State Grants to Libraries were distributed, funding 316 grants to academic, public, and school libraries across the state. 97% of all libraries in the state received funding at a minimum of $4,500.

section of 2023-2024 state grants to libraries impact infographic

The Impact of State Grants to Libraries: 2023-2024 (PDF): In 2023-2024, $3 million was distributed to 312 public, school, academic, and institutional libraries. See how that money was used, some benefits of the funding, and how grantees said the funding helped them.

Resources

Colorado Libraries Collaborate! (CLC)

Participant List - Membership in CLC is required for public and academic libraries. Check to see if your library is already a member.
Participation Agreement Form - If you are not a member, you can fill out this form to become eligible for funding.

Funding Allocation Charts

2025-2026 Projected Funding Allocation (PDF)

Previous grant year recipients (one grant per main library jurisdiction or school district) and allocation amounts.

Purchasing

Eligible Purchases Checklist - Wondering whether you can purchase an item with this funding? Review this checklist of what are eligible purchases, and what are not.
Databases, E-books, and other subscriptions - special Colorado Library Consortium (CLiC) pricing for vendors that offer online tools and other resources for research.

GAINS Support and Training

State Grants to Libraries application training for GAINS
- Slides on how to access GAINS and complete application (PDF)
- Webinar walk-thru of application process
Revising funding applications
Instructions on how to request State Grants to Libraries funds in GAINS (Word)
- Fund request video recording
- See the Requesting Funds page for more information.
Final Expenditure Report (FER) instructions for State Grants to Libraries (PDF)
- FER video recording
- See Reporting section of FAQs page for more information
General GAINS training
About Grants Administration Implementation and Navigation System (GAINS)
GAINS access request form for public and academic libraries
For questions on accessing GAINS, email GAINS@cde.state.co.us
Additional support for GAINS
- Application system questions: Megan Winicki, Grants Program Administration or GAINS general email
- Office Hours for the System: every Tuesday from 12:30 to 1:00 pm, hosted by CDE's GAINS team. Register for Office Hours

Contact

Melissa Carlson, Program Manager
carlson_m@cde.state.co.us
720-737-1829

For assistance with GAINS: General GAINS email

Fiscal contact: Anissa El Bialy, Grants Fiscal Analyst, Grants Fiscal Management Unit