|
Digital Download
Digital Access Monthly Newsletter
May 2025
|
|
|
The Digital Download is your place for monthly updates from the Colorado Digital Access team.
The Digital Access Team is led by the Office of the Future of Work in partnership with the Office of eHealth Innovation. The state’s digital access infrastructure work is supported by the Colorado Broadband Office, which oversees Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) and other broadband infrastructure funding.
|
|
Digital Access Plan Updates
Digital Equity Act Grant Termination
The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment Office of the Future of Work received notification on May 9, 2025 that federal funding for the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant has been terminated effective immediately. The funding's original end date was December 31, 2029.
The funding that has been impacted by this termination is the State Digital Equity Act Capacity Grant, which would have been used to implement Colorado’s Digital Access Plan. The Digital Access Plan was designed to target digital skills and internet adoption support to low-income households, veterans, people with disabilities, older adults, rural residents and other Coloradans who need additional programs and support to access and make use of the internet.
We understand that this action from the federal government brings uncertainty, and we appreciate everything you do to support Coloradans. We are actively working to fully assess the scope of this announcement and determine the best course of action, including legal remedies. As we navigate this evolving situation, we are committed to transparency and will be reaching out in the near future with updates and guidance.
|
|
 Digital Navigator Nook
SB22-140 Digital Navigator Pilot Program Concludes Early
The statewide Digital Navigator Pilot Program, launched in 2023 under Colorado SB22-140: Expansion of Experiential Learning Opportunities, is concluding early due to the termination of AmeriCorps funding. When the pilot launched in 2023, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment partnered with Serve Colorado, the state’s AmeriCorps program administrator. Two grantees, The Learning Source and Loveland Public Library, were selected to provide digital navigation services through AmeriCorps members. Those organizations launched services in October 2024 and January 2025, respectively. Four Digital Navigators were also hired to the Office of the Future of Work to serve at additional locations.
Limited Services Available
The Learning Source made the difficult decision to furlough its members. Loveland Public Library is continuing to offer digital skills services. The Digital Navigator Community of Practice will still be meeting on May 28, 2025, from 12:00 - 1:30 PM. Register on Zoom.
Digital Navigator Pilot Program Successes
The two-year Digital Navigator Pilot Program brought digital access to hundreds of Coloradans who participated in close to 10,000 appointments with digital navigators. Digital Navigators served across 23 host sites: 11 across the Denver metro area and 12 across rural Colorado.
Coming Soon! Additional program highlights and information will be shared in the next edition of the Digital Download.
|
|
Digital Access Events
Although funding for digital access work in Colorado has been impacted recently, the Digital Access Team remains committed to engaging with stakeholders and working together with organizations and governments statewide to find ways to bridge the digital divide. We hope you’ll join us at our bimonthly stakeholder meeting. For those who help individuals navigate health care, benefits, or other services, we hope to see you at a monthly Digital Navigator Community of Practice meeting.
|
|
 Digital Navigator Community of Practice
Navigators, staff who support them, and other stakeholders are invited to attend the monthly Community of Practice (CoP), which is on the last Wednesday of each month.
The next CoP will take place on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at 8:30 AM. The topic is helping community members build confidence and overcome fear. Register on Zoom for the Community of Practice.
|
|
Contact Us
Digital Access Team
Colorado Dept of Labor & Employment
633 17th Street, Suite, 201
Denver, CO 80202
digitalaccess@state.co.us
|
|
|
|
