CDE Field Trips - 8/13/25: BEST Projects happening across Colorado

 

 

 

More Colorado Schools Set to Break Ground Thanks to BEST Program Grants

Fourteen Colorado schools and districts are moving forward with critical construction and renovation projects this year, thanks to funding from the state’s Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) program.

Projects range from fire alarm and security upgrades to full school replacements. These projects are either underway, preparing to break ground, or seeking voters' approval for bonds to pay for the matching funds.

Districts competing for BEST funds must provide matching funds, which many acquire through bond elections.

Some districts have recently finished their BEST project, such as the newly opened buildings for Meadow Community School in Mapleton School District, Atlas Preparatory charter school in Colorado Springs, and a gymnasium and career and tech building in Weldon Valley.

BEST grants help districts address health, safety, and infrastructure needs, upgrading essential systems like HVAC, electrical, and roofing, and sometimes enabling communities to replace outdated school buildings. 

Among the BEST projects approved for Fiscal Year 2025-26 are the $70.7 million full PK-12 school building replacement in Kiowa C-2 School District in Elbert County. This project is contingent on voters approving a bond election this November. The community share of this project is just under $10 million. Other major school projects in FY26 that need bond votes include Haxtun, Norwood and Widefield school districts.

A total of 10 districts/charter schools have already received their grant agreements and are expected to start soon, including projects in Karval RE-23, Rangely RE-4, and Axis International Academy charter school. 

Including the projects waiting for bond approval, all of these FY26 projects represent about $234 million in school construction and renovations statewide. Almost $190 million of these projects are in small and rural districts. Additionally, according to CDE officials, 17.5 jobs are created or supported for every $1 million invested in BEST projects, including contractors, architects, materials suppliers and restaurants to feed the crews.

 Additionally, a total of 39 backup projects are on standby in case other districts are unable to secure their local matching funds. Two of those backup projects in Aguilar Reorganized 6 and Cheraw 31 are pursuing financing through bond elections. Find out more about BEST on CDE's website.