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Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant

2025 CLSD Grant Opportunity -- Now Accepting Applications 

 

 


CLSD Grant Overview and Application Process Webinar (18:45)

 

Application Information and Resources

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CLSD Application Cover Page - Click to open request for application
CLSD Request for Application

**Budget rubric items updated (4/24/25) to reflect GAINS system. Please enter Year 1 expenses only.

 

Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant

Background

In September 2020, the U.S. Department of Education awarded Colorado a $16 million grant to implement the Colorado Comprehensive Literacy State Development Project, which aims to advance literacy skills for children from birth to grade 12, with special emphasis on serving children living in poverty, English learners, and children with disabilities. In September 2025, Colorado was awarded an additional $21 million in the newest round of grant funding to continue these efforts.

The Comprehensive Literacy State Development Program is a competitive federal grant that seeks to improve literacy in the state by using evidence-based practices, activities, and interventions, including emergent literacy skills. The grant spans five years and provides funding to districts for four-year projects through a competitive grant process.

The grant provides professional development and technical assistance, literacy coaching, and will help districts disseminate family literacy information. Ninety-five percent of the funds are directed to school districts, with an additional focus on Qualified Opportunity Zones and rural districts throughout Colorado.

The CLSD Grant activities create an infrastructure for districts to develop their own local literacy plans and direct additional funding to implement research-based literacy strategies and interventions. 

 

 

District Staff CLSD Info

Subgrantee Handbook

 

Subgrantee Information

CLSD Original Cohort Subgrant Awards

The CLSD funds support the original cohort of subgrantees for a duration of four years, commencing in the fall of the 2021-2022 school year and continuing through the 2024-2025 school year. CDE has committed to allocating at least 95% of the $16.1 million it received directly to districts through subawards. The districts were chosen to receive funding via a competitive selection process. Although there are shared components across projects, each one is distinct, tailored to address the specific needs for expanding comprehensive literacy efforts within their respective communities. 

Request for Application 5/21/2021

CLSD Supplemental PD Cohort Subgrant Awards

In January 2023, CDE was invited to apply for supplemental CLSD funds for the remainder of the grant. CDE applied for, and was awarded, $1.5 million. It was decided to use these funds to support a separate cohort of grantees with a scaled-back scope of work for the remaining 2 years.

Request for Application 5/24/2023

 

CLSD Original Cohort Subaward Grant Winners:

  • Aurora Public Schools

  • ​Charter School Institute

  • Cherry Creek 5

  • Harrison 2

  • Lake County Schools

  • Lewis-Palmer

  • Pueblo 70

  • Sheridan 2

  • St. Vrain Valley School District

  • Telluride School District

CLSD Professional Development Subgrant Winners:

  • Canon City Schools

  • Charter School Institute

  • Delta County

  • Norwood Schools

  • South Central BOCES

 

CLSD Impact Study

 

Webinars and Meetings

November 2024 Meeting Slides with Notes

2024 Beginning of Year Meeting Slides with Notes

Harrison D2 Presentation, Mountain Vista Community School Secondary Literacy

 

Resources and Professional Learning

resource banner

CLSD Requirements Page

  • Required Funding Formula Allowable Activities - Original 4-Year Cohort

  • Allowable Activities - PD 2-Year Cohort

  • Administrative + Indirect Costs (5%) - Both Cohorts

  • Non-Allowable Activities for Either Cohort

  • Local Literacy Plans

  • External Consultants

  • ​Changes to Your Project

Subgrantee Monitoring and Reporting Page

  • Reporting Schedule

  • Narrative Reporting

  • Financial Reporting

  • Directions for Completing Quarterly and Annual Financial Reports

  • Submitting a New Yearly Budget

  • Carryover Requests

  • Student Data Reporting

  • Project Evaluation

CLSD Contact Information Change Form

If there have been changes to your primary grant and budget contacts, complete the CLSD Contact Information Change Form.

Requesting Funds

To request funds from the CLSD Grant, visit this link:

  1. Click the Formsite link under "All Competitive Grants."
  2. Log in using your district credentials.
  3. Select the grant: "Colorado Literacy State Development" or "Colorado Literacy Professional Development." Both have the CDE Grant Code 5371.
  4. For login issues or questions, refer to the tutorials and resources at the bottom of the page or contact Tricia Miller at miller_t@cde.state.co.us.

To track or monitor spending and previous drawdown requests for the CLSD Grant, visit this page:

  1. Navigate to the current fiscal year section labeled "Competitive Grants Distributions – FY####."
  2. Download the Excel file provided.
  3. Locate the tab labeled "CLSD Grant" within the file to view up-to-date funding distributions.

 

[ CLSD Program Grant Manager: Laura Lay ]  [ lay_l@cde.state.co.us ]   [ 303-868-9822 ]

Schools and districts may set up a meeting through Bookings. 

Please note that our team does not meet with vendors.

 

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Financial transparency

Financial information on schools and districts throughout Colorado. Learn more about financial transparency.

 

Contact Us

Colorado Dept. of Education
201 East Colfax Ave.
Denver, CO 80203
Phone: 303-866-6600
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