City of Colorado Springs launches program to help those with limited digital skills or access to digital devices 

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The City of Colorado Springs is launching a new program to "help bridge the digital divide in the community by helping residents without connected devices or adequate digital skills who have been more negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the increased digitization seen in its aftermath."

The city is encouraging local non-profit organizations to apply for Digital Equity Grants to help provide programs and services that will create greater digital equity for historically underserved communities across the city.

The city said its Office of Innovation is looking to fund projects within three key focus areas of digital equity: access to connected devices, digital skills training, and technical support. A total of up to $800,000 has been made available for these grants. Funding from the city’s allocation of the American Rescue Plan Act will be utilized to fund the projects in 2023.

Applications for these grants can be submitted from Nov. 9 to Dec. 14. According to the city, eligible applicants include local governments, school districts, state/federal agencies, non-profit organizations, library districts, and faith-based organizations.

The City will hold a question-and-answer session virtually for this program on Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 10 a.m.  

You can learn more about the program, how to apply, and how to join the Q&A at coloradosprings.gov/DigitalEquityGrants.