In 2021, the Colorado Department of Education used an evidence-based framework to allocate funds to the Colorado Comprehensive Literacy State Development Grant (CLSD) program. Grantees were required to utilize evidence-based interventions that help children develop reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills, as defined by the Colorado Reading to Ensure Academic Development (READ) Act. The State’s grant program placed an emphasis on funding directly supporting historically underserved students, including children in poverty, English learners, and children with disabilities.

In 2018, the Colorado Department of Education grant program for school improvement, Empowering Action for School Improvement, required schools to use evidence-based practices as defined by the federal Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The application gives points for the use of evidence-based strategies, as well as points based on past performance for applicants who are seeking to expand existing initiatives. Further, the Colorado Reading to Ensure Academic Development (READ) Act, amended in 2019, emphasizes the use of evidence-based instructional practices to support early literacy. It required use of program funds for external program evaluation; created a science-based early literacy block grant program of $2.5 million annually; and required districts receiving funds in the school year 2021-2022 to have K-3 teachers complete evidence-based training in teaching reading.

In July of 2021, the Colorado Workforce Development Council launched the Upskilling, Reskilling, and Next-Skilling Workers program to support evidence-based projects that improve workforce development and employment capacity. The application awards points for seven criteria, one of which includes the level of evidence of the proposed approach as defined by the Colorado Evidence Continuum.