BEST Grant Program

Established in 2008, with the creation of C.R.S.22-43.7, the Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) Program provides competitive grants to school districts, charter schools, BOCES, and the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind. The primary focus of BEST is to resolve health, safety, and security issues in Colorado public schools - creating equitable educational environments where all students and staff in Colorado thrive.

BEST By the Numbers

• Through FY25, BEST has awarded grants in nearly every Colorado school District, improving learning environments for over 410,000 students.
• Nearly 70% of total projects funded have gone to rural and small rural districts, which often lack the capacity to raise funds locally.
• Approximately 17 direct and indirect jobs are created or supported for every $1 million invested in BEST schools (contractors, architects, materials suppliers, grocery stores, restaurants etc.)

How is BEST Funded?

• State Land Trust Funds
• ​​Marijuana Excise Taxes
• Colorado Lottery Funds
• ​Interest Earned

All revenues are collected in the Capital Construction Assistance Fund, which is used to administer the BEST Grant Program. All grant funds are distributed from this single fund source therefore we are unable to determine which specific revenues may have contributed to any specific project. 

The BEST Grant Program is committed to maintaining financial transparency. For Certificate of Participation (COP) Offering Statements, BEST Legislative Reports, or for more information, please contact our office at BESTSchools@cde.state.co.us or call 303-866-2153.