Colorado Digital Access Plan

The Digital Equity Team is a collaboration between representatives from the Office of the Future of Work, the Office of eHealth Innovation, and the Colorado Broadband Office — creating the State of Colorado’s first Digital Access Plan. 
 

2023 Digital Inclusion Week

• Digital Inclusion Week (DIW) is an annual week of awareness, recognition, and celebration. The Office of the Future of Work (OFW) at CDLE is a member of the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA), an organization that provides digital inclusion leadership and advocacy and supports states and localities in promoting digital inclusion.  In Colorado, we join with organizations and individuals across the country to host special events, run social media campaigns, and share their digital inclusion actions and progress with the media.

• Digital Inclusion Week Events:

  • Sunday, October 1 at 10 a.m.
    Safari Day at the Denver Zoo Hosted by Relay Colorado 
    Join the Colorado Broadband Office for a day of fun and community at the Denver Zoo to learn more about the Affordable Connectivity Program.  Safari Day brings community members together to collect resources/information on accessible technology and services related to communication access for hearing loss.  Learn more here.

  • Wednesday, October 4
    Colorado Digital Government Summit 2023
    The Digital Government Summit brings together technology-focused public-sector professionals with leading industry partners to connect on innovative approaches, get inspired and discover new technologies. The Colorado Broadband Office’s Executive Director, Brandy Reitter, will be providing a statewide update on the Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding and the impact these funds will have on Colorado residents. Read more and learn how to register here.

  • Wednesday, October 4 at 5 p.m.
    Digital Navigator Corps Program Info Session
    CDLE's Office of the Future of Work is co-hosting an information session with Serve Colorado, The Learning Source, and Loveland Public Library to share information about serving in the Colorado Digital Navigator Corps. Attendees will learn about digital navigation services, the skills and qualities that are needed to be a digital navigator, service in AmeriCorps, the organizations who are seeking Digital Navigator AmeriCorps members, and the locations of the positions. The information session is virtual from 5-6 pm on Wednesday, October 4. Register here to attend the info session.

  • Friday, October 6 at 12 p.m.
    Digital Equity Open House
    Digital Equity Open House virtual meetings are drop-in opportunities for stakeholders to touch base with Colorado's Digital Equity Team on its Digital Equity Plan progress, to provide input on the plan, or to help shape the way 2024 funding opportunities will be provided. Register to attend the Digital Equity Open House.

• 2023 Digital Inclusion Week (DIW) Social Media Promotional Toolkit: Partners are encouraged to use our social media toolkit to promote DIW on their own platforms!

• 2023 Digital Inclusion Champions: During Digital Inclusion Week, the state is recognizing Digital Inclusion Champions who have made an impact in their communities through their dedication to digital equity work.

  • Lara Van Matre - Bridging Digital Divides - Sister Carmen Community Center

  • Erik Rock - Loveland Public Library

  • Salvador Acuña - Co-Create, LLC

  • Tracy Treece & Nate Stone – Denver Public Library

  • Cristy Moran & Kieran Hixon – Colorado State Library

  • Laura Ware - Colorado Center on Law and Policy
     

How to Get Involved

• Colorado State Digital Equity Plan Survey: From May to September of 2023, the Digital Equity Team collected feedback from community members and people impacted by the Digital Access Plan via a statewide survey. The survey was available digitally in 20 languages, and the condensed paper version was also available to print in English and Spanish.
• Digital Equity Ecosystem Mapping (DEEM) Tool: From May to September 2023, the Digital Equity Team also launched the Digital Equity Ecosystem Mapping (DEEM) Tool for local government agencies, nonprofits, social service providers, healthcare organizations, schools, libraries, philanthropy, and other organizations. The survey collected input from organizations that provide access to the Internet, computers, or digital skills training. 
  • The State of Colorado will be funding digital access coalitions across Colorado in 2024 and will identify participants of the DEEM Tool survey as potential organizations to receive digital access funding.
• Whether you would like to join a Digital Equity Committee meeting or get email updates on Colorado’s Digital Access Plan, you can fill out this interest form to stay in the know.

Digital Access Plan Progress Updates

• In mid-2023, twenty-one community-based organizations were awarded funding to support their customers and clients in participating in a statewide digital equity survey. Results from the survey will be used to establish baselines for measurable objectives that will be included in the plan.
• The State of Colorado expects to receive about $20M in capacity funds in the first quarter of 2024. The capacity funds will be used to implement the objectives established in the State Digital Access Plan.
• In November 2022, the Office of the Future of Work received $897,000 in Digital Equity Act planning funds.  These funds will be used to create Colorado’s Digital Access Plan. The OFW will work in close collaboration with the Colorado Broadband Office, which also received Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD).  Read the press release.

How Can Organizations Prepare to Apply for Funding?

• It is likely that the Digital Equity Team will award capacity funding to communities rather than to individual organizations. Organizations can prepare for future funding by considering:
  • What organization in your community could serve as a fiscal agent?
  • Who has a great space for helping individuals or groups with technology?
  • What businesses employ people from the community, and what digital skills are needed for the jobs there?
  • Where are the best internet connections in the area located?
  • Are there healthcare facilities, workforce centers, schools, libraries, prisons or jails, senior centers, or non-profit organizations that you can bring together to begin conversations around digital equity?
  • What is preventing people in your community from being able to participate in common online activities like email, social media, applying for benefits, job seeking, or telehealth?
  • Which organizations in your community already provide assistance to people who need help completing online tasks?

Any interested stakeholders are welcome to participate in Digital Equity Committee meetings listed on this calendar.

  Visit the Digital Equity, Literacy, & Inclusion Page