The Colorado Creates Grant is administered by Colorado Creative Industries, a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT). This program aligns with the National Endowment of the Arts strategic plan and represents the largest annual competitive grant offered by Creative Industries. Its primary objective is to support general operating expenses of arts-focused organizations that offer public programming throughout Colorado. This initiative aims to foster artistic excellence, expand community engagement, and enhance organizational capacity in arts sectors.

Funding is awarded as a flat rate determined by the organization’s most recently completed fiscal year cash operating revenue. Grant awards range from $6,000 to $14,000 depending on revenue brackets. Applicants with revenue over $1 million may request $14,000, while those with revenue between $25,000 and $99,999 may request $6,000. These grants are now reimbursable rather than disbursed in advance. Grantees must execute activities, submit a final report, and then receive reimbursement for eligible expenses incurred during the performance period, which runs from the date of award or contract execution (anticipated September 2025) through June 30, 2026.

Eligible applicants must be arts-focused 501(c)(3) organizations or independent components of educational institutions or government entities with distinct programmatic and administrative structures. They must be based in Colorado, maintain a minimum annual operating budget of $25,000, and have provided public arts programming in the state for at least two years. Additional requirements include registration in good standing with the Colorado Secretary of State and possessing a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Certain organizations such as history museums or economic development agencies are generally not eligible, and awarded grantees must sit out for one fiscal year before reapplying.

Applications must be submitted via the OEDIT Grant Portal between March 12 and May 21, 2025. Required materials include narrative responses, financial documents, support materials, and various policy documents. Narrative sections address artistic excellence, community involvement, and implementation capacity. Each narrative section allows up to 2,275 characters. Additional documentation includes an income statement, budget projections, a Certificate of Good Standing, an organizational chart, and at least one artistic support material item, with further items depending on the applicant’s discipline.

The selection process involves regional reviews by peer panelists followed by a final decision from the Creative Industries Advisory Council. Evaluation is weighted with 40 percent on artistic merit, 40 percent on community impact, and 20 percent on organizational capacity. Award decisions will be communicated between August and September 2025, with funding disbursed in July to August 2026 post final report submission. Organizations must comply with federal and state financial guidelines and may undergo audit reviews up to three years after project completion.

For assistance, program-related questions should be directed to Emma Acheson at Emma.Acheson@state.co.us. Technical issues with the portal should be directed to Katy Zeigler at Kathryn.Zeigler@state.co.us or 720-910-2241. Additional guidance and templates are provided within the Colorado Creates Guidelines document, accessible via the OEDIT website.