Bridging Colorado’s Digital Divide

The Colorado State Library, with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and federal stimulus money is increasing digital literacy and broadband adoption in 88 Colorado communities from 2010 to 2013.

This grant, totaling $3.3 million including 32% match has funded computers, training, partnerships and a public awareness campaign to develop or augment Public Computer Centers in public libraries and Tribal centers. Coloradans in need of computer training and assistance with education, work force, health, and online learning use these public computing centers. We have prioritized ADA compliance and support for low income and diverse populations.

Grant Information

• Project Numbers (Infographic) (PDF)
• Public Impact
• Library Impact
• K-12 Impact
• User Feedback
• Digital Literacy
  • Benefits (Infographic) (PDF)
  • Digital Literacy Continuum (PDF)
  • Community Meetings - Project Encompass
• Project History
• Colorado BTOP Fact Sheet (PDF)
• Related Research

Participating Libraries, Museums and Tribes

• Participating libraries, museums and tribes (PDF)
  Participating libraries serve communities that have high poverty, ethnic diversity, and/or low broadband penetration.
• Participating libraries, museums and tribes use of grant funds (PDF)

Partners and Support

• Partners (PDF)
  Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, statewide and local
• Assistive Technology Partners
• College in Colorado
• Colorado Department of Labor, Rural Workforce Consortium
• Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade
• Colorado PEAK
• Governor’s Office of Information Technology
• Library Research Service
• National Network of Libraries of Medicine, MidContinental Region