Charter Schools

Charter School Capital Construction Program

Pursuant to C.R.S. 22-54-124, each year the State Education Fund and a percentage of the marijuana excise tax provides an appropriation for Charter School and Institute Charter School Capital Construction. The funding purpose is to promote a safe and healthy learning environment for all Colorado students. Charter Schools or Institute Charter Schools can use the funding for school construction, renovation, or facility purchase or leasing. Online schools are not eligible to receive funding for this program.

Funds are distributed every month based on FTE from the previous fiscal year’s October count. All funds are distributed to your authorizer and passed through to Charter Schools. New schools are eligible to receive funding beginning in January of their first year of operation. New schools will receive their full eligible funding for the year, distributed evenly over six months.

Eligible Expenses

Under C.R.S. 22-54-124 (1)(a) "Capital Construction" means construction, demolition, remodeling, maintaining, financing, purchasing, or leasing of land, buildings, or facilities used to educate pupils enrolled in or to be enrolled in a charter school. 

Ineligible Expenses

On-going operational expenses including, but not limited to, custodial services and supplies, pest control services, tree trimming, mowing, and care of trees, shrubbery, lawns, sidewalks and snow removal are not eligible uses of CSCC funding. Additionally, the purchase of furnishings or equipment is not allowed, unless the items are for new space constructed in whole or in part with the capital construction funds. For additional guidance on the CSCC program and chart of accounts, refer to-CSCC Program Guidance under Resources.

Distribution

The distribution schedule below will outline your school’s monthly payment and projected annual budget. If you are a new school, you will begin receiving funding in January. The monthly payment will change throughout the fiscal year; please check periodically.

• CSCC Distribution FY24-25 (Excel) (Updated 6/17/25)
  • This year’s total allocation is $42,892,701.96, bringing the per-pupil dollar amount to $388.48.
  • In the January 2025 payment distribution, new charter schools begin receiving funding; this will change payment values to existing charter schools that receive funding.

​​Historic Distribution Schedule: 

For previous distributions prior to FY2020-21, or if an alternative version of a document is needed, please contact  BESTSchools@cde.state.co.us or call 303-866-2153.

Forms

• CSCC-01 Combined Expenditure and Eligibility Online Report 
  • This online report is due by October 31st and determines your eligibility and funding levels for the next fiscal year.
  • Please keep a copy of this submission for your records and share it with your authorizer accordingly.
  • Online schools are not eligible to receive funding through this program; therefore, completing this form is not required for online schools.

Resources

• CSCC Program Guidance (PDF) 
• CSCC Saving Funds for Future Projects (PDF)
• BEST and CSCC Program Overview (PDF)
• Changes to the CSCC Program - Effective as of FY21-22 (PDF)

BEST Grant Program

Established in 2008 with the signing of C.R.S.22-43.7, BEST provides an annual amount of funding in the form of competitive grants to school districts, charter schools, institute charter schools, boards of cooperative educational services, and the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind. BEST funds can be used for the construction of new schools as well as general construction and renovation of existing school facility systems and structures.

Charter School Eligibility 

Qualified Charter Schools, as defined in § 22-54-124 (1)(f.6)(I)(A) or (1)(f.6)(I)(B), C.R.S., that meet the following requirements are eligible for the BEST grant.

• Must have been in existence for at least 3 years prior to the date of submission of the BEST grant application.
• Must notify its authorizer and acquire authorizer signature on the grant application. The authorizer has the option to submit a letter to the Board stating its position on the application, but a letter is not required.
• The applicant must qualify under § 22-43.7-109(1)(a), C.R.S., requiring the applicant to own the public school facility, have the right to own through the financed purchase of the facility, such as a qualifying sub-lease purchase agreement with the State.
  • To determine that your school meets these requirements, applicants must either provide proof of ownership or Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws for both the charter school and building corporation as well as any financed-purchase agreement. These documents will be reviewed by the Attorney General’s office. Additional guidance provided HERE.

Considering applying for a BEST Grant? 

• BEST Timeline (Updated Annually in September)
• Online Grant Application Process
• Reach out to your Regional Program Manager to provide additional assistance and answer any questions.

For additional information, contact: Brandon LaChance  Phone: 720-910-3686  Email: csccreporting@cde.state.co.us

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