(DENVER) — The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has awarded Colorado $12,368,261 in a Digital Equity Act Capacity Grant. The funding will support the implementation of key digital equity initiatives from the Colorado Digital Access Plan. This is the first of three rounds of funding from the Digital Equity Act Capacity Grant Program, made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
“Digital equity is about creating pathways to economic opportunity, education, and healthcare for our residents,” said Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera. “With this federal funding, we’re taking concrete steps to ensure that every community across our state can thrive in today’s digital economy. This investment aligns with our administration’s commitment to building a Colorado for all, and we’re excited to see this work come to life in communities across our state.”
“This $12.3 million investment marks a pivotal moment in our mission to ensure every Coloradan can fully participate in a digital world,” said Katherine Keegan, Director of the Office of the Future of Work. “When we increase access to devices and digital skills, we’re not just connecting them to the internet — we’re connecting them to higher quality jobs, career advancement, and benefit programs like the state’s online portal for paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FAMLI).”
Colorado’s Digital Equity Team leads the state’s efforts to increase Coloradans’ digital skills, access to devices, and access to affordable internet connectivity. The team works out of the Office of the Future of Work (OFW) at the Colorado Department of Labor & Employment (CDLE), with support from Colorado’s Office of eHealth Innovation (OeHI).
The Digital Equity Team heard from over 15,000 Coloradans through surveys and listening sessions and invested more than half a million dollars into Colorado community organizations and companies to shape Colorado's first Digital Access Plan. Now, with the approval of Colorado’s application for Digital Equity Act funding, the team will prioritize several initiatives, including:
- Building a statewide digital inclusion ecosystem by creating coalitions to identify local assets and barriers to digital access;
- Bringing community-based organizations, local government, businesses, libraries, health organizations, and other entities together to discuss digital empowerment and create solutions for their communities;
- Providing backbone support to communities, including:
- Selecting fiscal access partners to manage coalitions’ funds and grant reporting
- Assisting coalitions in writing local digital access plans
- Identifying funding opportunities to support coalitions’ digital empowerment work
- Sharing best practices and creating a statewide community of practice for practitioners to share challenges and successes
- Providing support for new and existing digital navigator programs
- And providing marketing, translation, and other templates to alleviate the administrative burden on new coalitions.
Learn more about the state’s digital equity initiatives and how to get involved on the OFW Digital Equity Team’s website.
About the Office of the Future of Work
The Office of the Future of Work (OFW) is housed within the Executive Director’s Office of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. It was created to raise awareness about the future of work and identify policy and program solutions that ensure Coloradans are future-ready. That’s why the OFW leads Colorado’s Digital Equity, Literacy, and Inclusion Initiative. While the Broadband Office focuses on infrastructure, the Office of Future of Work focuses on adoption.
About the Office of eHealth Innovation
The Office of eHealth Innovation (OeHI) is the State-Designated Entity for all Health IT strategy, policy, and funding coordination. The Office is tasked with managing and coordinating Colorado’s Health IT strategy across public and private sector partners. OeHI's goal is to advance health equity and reduce health disparities in Colorado through coordinated health information technology, policies, and funding. Visit oehi.colorado.gov to learn more.
###