Colorado State Funding
State Funding
Colorado provides several competitive funding programs designed to improve communication between schools and emergency responders, strengthen public-school security, and support safer learning environments.
School Access for Emergency Response Grant
The School Access for Emergency Response, or SAFER, Grant Program supports communication interoperability between schools and first responders.
Eligible schools, districts, public-safety communication system owners, and other qualifying entities may apply for funding to purchase or maintain:
- interoperable communication hardware;
- communication software;
- equipment maintenance;
- related training.
Funded projects must help connect existing school communication systems with first-responder communication networks, allowing participating agencies to communicate more effectively during an emergency.
For the FY2026 funding round, Colorado made approximately $4.85 million available through the program. Applications for that cycle were due on May 11, 2026, so the opportunity should not currently be described as open.
School Security Disbursement Program
The School Security Disbursement Program is a competitive state grant administered through the Colorado Office of School Safety.
It provides funding to local education providers and eligible nonprofit organizations for projects that improve security in Colorado public schools.
Allowable activities may include:
- physical security and access-control improvements;
- emergency communication equipment;
- school-safety technology;
- threat-assessment training;
- emergency-response training;
- behavioral-intervention training;
- crisis-preparedness activities;
- programs addressing the underlying causes of youth violence.
Funding may also support capital projects involving installed structures, hardware, devices, or equipment designed to protect school buildings, school vehicles, students, employees, and visitors from physical threats.
Eligible projects may be designed to prevent unauthorized access or improve the speed and effectiveness of emergency communication.
The FY2026 grant cycle was funded with $16 million. Awards were competitive and subject to application review and final approval.
Preventing School Violence Initiative
Colorado’s Preventing School Violence initiative is supported by federal funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance.
The program provides training and implementation assistance to educators, mental-health professionals, school resource officers, and multidisciplinary school-safety teams.
Participating teams may receive:
- intensive professional development;
- coaching and implementation support;
- assistance with school-safety planning;
- opportunities to participate in a professional community of practice;
- training related to evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies.
The initiative is intended to improve safety planning, strengthen collaboration, and help schools develop more effective responses to potential threats.
Because this initiative is federally funded, it should be listed under a federal or federally supported funding section rather than presented as a permanent Colorado state grant.
Colorado Office of School Safety
Colorado Senate Bill 23-241 established the Office of School Safety within the Colorado Department of Public Safety.
The office coordinates state school-safety services and helps schools identify and pursue available funding opportunities.
Its primary responsibilities include:
- overseeing the Colorado School Safety Resource Center;
- appointing a grants manager to help schools locate and apply for safety funding;
- administering the SAFER Grant Program;
- managing the School Security Disbursement Program;
- operating a crisis-response unit to assist schools during emergencies;
- administering youth-violence prevention initiatives.
The office also provides information about state and federal funding programs and offers guidance to schools preparing grant applications.
School Safety Resource Center
The Colorado School Safety Resource Center operates as part of the Office of School Safety.
It assists schools with preventing, preparing for, responding to, and recovering from emergencies and crisis situations. Its services include training, planning resources, technical assistance, and guidance related to safe and positive learning environments.
The center also provides information about:
- emergency operations planning;
- threat assessment;
- crisis response;
- school violence prevention;
- interoperable communication;
- student and staff recovery after emergencies;
- school-safety best practices.
Federally Supported Funding
Colorado Nonprofit Security Grant Program
Program Purpose and Eligibility
The Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) is a federal FEMA initiative administered in Colorado through the state’s designated grant agency.
It provides competitive funding to eligible nonprofit organizations that may be at increased risk of terrorist or extremist attacks.
Qualifying applicants may include nonprofit private schools, faith-based organizations, healthcare facilities, and other eligible tax-exempt organizations.
Eligible Security Improvements
Funding may support physical security, cybersecurity, facility protection, emergency preparedness, and security-related training.
Eligible projects may include:
- access-control systems;
- surveillance equipment;
- alarms and emergency alert systems;
- protective lighting;
- physical barriers;
- cybersecurity improvements;
- emergency planning;
- security training;
- other approved preparedness measures.
Application Process and Deadlines
Eligible nonprofit organizations apply through Colorado’s state-administered process rather than submitting directly to FEMA. Applicants are generally required to document their nonprofit status, complete a vulnerability assessment, and explain how the proposed project will address identified security risks.
Funding amounts, application instructions, and deadlines may change with each grant cycle. Colorado’s state deadline may also be earlier than FEMA’s federal submission deadline, so applicants should confirm current requirements with the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management before preparing an application.
The funding information and links provided on this page are based on publicly available information at the time of publication. While we make every effort to keep this resource current and relevant, funding programs, eligibility requirements, deadlines, and website links may change over time. If you discover outdated information, inaccurate content, or a broken link, please let us know by emailing info@carehawk.com.