Section 26.5-5-204 - Eligibility for grants - applications - deadlines(1) The department shall develop an application process and issue a request for proposals for the grant program, including notification of available money to early childhood councils, eligibility criteria, proposal requirements, and award criteria.(2) An applicant to the grant program is eligible for a grant award pursuant to this part 2 if: (a) The application is made by an early childhood council and includes strategies developed jointly with community partners, including, at a minimum, county departments of human or social services. If an early childhood council serves more than one county, it may submit a single application for the counties that make up its designated service area.(b) The early childhood education programs to which the grant money will be distributed have achieved a quality rating pursuant to the Colorado shines system of at least a level two, or are licensed programs with a demonstrated hardship that are actively working toward achieving a Colorado shines system level two rating, and have fiscal agreements with CCCAP;(c) The early childhood council demonstrates a need and provides a plan to improve quality and increase the capacity for early childhood education programs that serve infants and toddlers three years of age or younger in its designated service area. The early childhood education programs may be home-based or center-based.(d) The applicant meets any other criteria set forth in the application process developed pursuant to this section.(3) Subject to available appropriations, the department shall review applications and determine which applicants will receive grants and the amount of each grant.Renumbered from C.R.S. §26-6.7-104 and amended by 2022 Ch. 123, §3, eff. 7/1/2022.Amended by 2018 Ch. 90, §7, eff. 8/8/2018.Added by 2013 Ch. 363, §2, eff. 7/1/2013.L. 2013: Entire article added, (HB 13-1291), ch. 363, p. 2121, § 2, effective July 1. L. 2018: Entire section amended, (SB 18-099), ch. 90, p. 725, § 7, effective August 8.This section is similar to former § 26-6.7-104 as it existed prior to 2022.