Charter School Facility Assistance Program

• Charter schools (authorized by a School District or the Colorado Charter School Institute) benefiting from these funds must meet the "federal definition of charter school" as defined in section 4310(2) of the ESEA. This definition of a “charter school,” requires that a school be a public school operated under public supervision and direction.
• An eligible charter school must be serving students in the 2024-25 school year and is currently authorized by an “authorized public charter agency” as defined in section 4310(1) of the ESEA. In Colorado, an “authorized public charter agency” is either a school district or the Colorado Charter School Institute and will serve as the charter school’s fiscal agent.    
• Enrollment policy includes a lottery if more students apply than can be admitted. 
• Must qualify to receive state funds under the Charter School Capital Construction (CSCC) Program. Online charter schools are not eligible for federal or state facility programs. 

• Application Information Webinar: Tuesday, November 18, 2025 from 11-12:30pm. 
  • Register Here via ZOOM
• Intent to Apply Launch: Monday: November 3, 2025
• Intent to Apply and Eligibility Due Date - Extended: Friday, December 5, 2025
• Narrative and Budget Sections Launch: Friday, December 5, 2025
• GAINS Application Due Date: Tuesday, January 6, 2026 by 4p.m.
• CDE Review Period: January 6th - 23rd, 2026
• Award Notifications: Friday, January 23, 2026
• Post-Award Webinar(mandatory for construction projects): Wednesday, February 4, 2026
  • Register Here via Zoom

1. Complete the GAINS Access Form 
2. Once CDE processes the request, applicants will be instructed to complete the application in GAINS
3. Complete Intent to Apply and Eligibility Section in GAINS
   *For step-by-step help in completing part I of the application, please use program guidance. 
4. Change application status to "Draft Completed" by new deadline Friday, December 5, 2025. *CDE program staff will review eligibility of applicants and determine the allocations based on preliminary 2025-26 October count numbers. 
5. On or after December 10, 2025, return to the GAINS application to complete Narrative and Budget sections of the application. 
   *For step-by-step help in completing part II of the application, please use program guidance. 
6. Change application status to "Draft Completed". The application will need to get approvals from Authorizer representatives to be deemed complete. 
7. Applications must be at "LEA Authorized Representative Approved" by 4:00 pm on Wednesday, January 14, 2026

$11,416,134.00 ($9,800,000 plus $1,416,134 of unspent 2024-25 funds) is available for the 2025-2026 federal fiscal year for eligible charter schools using a per-pupil formula.  Funds must be expended by Wednesday, September 30, 2026. 

Available federal funds in subsequent years will decrease over time as state match increases in the state facility aid program (Charter School Capital Construction Program). Available federal funds will be the following:

• October 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027: $ 7,350,000

• October 1, 2027 – September 30, 2028: $ 4,900,000

• October 1, 2028 – September 30, 2029: $ 2,450,000

* Funding in subsequent years for eligible schools is contingent upon continued federal funding and upon awardees meeting all grant, fiscal, and reporting requirements.

A charter school that receives funds under the program shall use the funds for facilities in accordance with section 4304(k) of the ESEA. This program is a reimbursement program, which means awardees will be reimbursed following proof of expenditures on allowable, approved activities. 

• Rent.
• Purchase of building or land.
• Construction meaning -
  • Preparing drawings and specifications for school facilities projects;
  • Repairing, renovating, or altering school facilities;
  • Extending school facilities;
  • Erecting or building school facilities; and
  • Inspections or supervision related to school facilities.
• Renovation of an existing school facility.
• Leasehold improvements.
• Debt service on a school facility.

• For questions about GAINS access, role assignment, etc., contact Kim Burnham at burnham_k@cde.state.co.us
• For questions about budget codes, fiscal deadlines, etc., contact Werner Hagemann at hagemann_w@cde.state.co.us
• For questions about the FA Program ,deadlines, and technical assistance, contact Kriselda Craven at craven_k@cde.state.co.us
• For questions about eligibility (enrollment, charter affiliation), contact Paola Paga at paga_p@cde.state.co.us