RANGELY | The Colorado State Board of Education approved a $6.9 million Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) grant at its June meeting for HVAC, roof and security improvements at multiple schools in the Rangely RE-4 School District.
Altogether, the state board approved $179 million in grants to help fund 14 construction projects around the state.
“Every student in Colorado deserves to learn in a safe, well-maintained school,” said Education Commissioner Susana Córdova. “BEST grants make that possible by funding essential upgrades—like new roofs, asbestos abatement, and improved security systems—especially in communities that couldn’t take on these costly projects alone.”
Of those projects, approximately $179 million will be funded by income earned from the Colorado State Land Board, marijuana excise taxes, spillover from the Colorado Lottery and interest earned. Applicants will be expected to contribute approximately $55.2 million in matching funds, representing $234 million in total project costs. Some projects are contingent upon the approval of bond elections by voters living within school district boundaries.
BEST grants are intended to improve health, safety, security and technology in public schools and are open to all Colorado school districts, BOCES, charter schools, and the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind. The Capital Construction Assistance Board (CCAB) reviews applicants before making recommendations to the State Board of Education. Allowable debt service for BEST Certificates of Participation increased. The CCAB elected to use half of the allowable debt capacity in this grant round.
Since 2008, BEST grant awards have provided more than $4 billion for school improvement projects in almost every district in the state, including the awards for this grant cycle. Of the total projects, approximately $2 billion were awarded to small rural districts, $1 billion to urban districts, and nearly $1 billion to rural school districts.
CDE’s Capital Construction Unit works to assess every school facility in the state every five years to maintain accurate and consistent data for the CCAB. Based on 2025 assessment data, Colorado public schools need more than $20 billion worth of capital improvements. More information about capital projects is available on the department’s website.
