Colorado Commission on Higher Education Approves $1 Million in 28 open Education Grants to Reduce Textbook Costs

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DENVER ~ Denver, CO - The Colorado Commission on Higher Education has recently announced the approval of 28 proposals for Open Educational Resources (OER) grants. These grants will provide no-cost, high-quality learning materials for students in Colorado. More than half of the funds have been awarded to projects focused on developing zero textbook cost degrees and promoting collaboration among institutions.

The initiative was first introduced by Governor Polis in May 2025, when he re-issued the Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) Challenge. Colorado institutions rose to the challenge by proposing 11 new ZTC degrees and certificates in this grant cycle. Some of the funded projects include an associate of applied science in space studies at Arapahoe Community College, a bachelor's in construction project management at Metropolitan State University of Denver, a bachelor's in data science at the University of Northern Colorado, and a bachelor's of science in nursing at Western Colorado University.

Governor Polis expressed his enthusiasm for this investment, stating that "educational materials like textbooks are essential to student success, yet too often they come with a hefty price tag." He believes that this $1 million investment will save students an average of more than $3 million on textbooks and provide a three-to-one return. He also highlighted the fact that through these grants, Colorado students will be able to earn credentials with zero textbook cost.

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The OER grant program has been running for seven years now and has already saved Colorado students nearly $60 million in textbook costs. It has also transformed over 2,200 courses to no cost by creating, adapting, and adopting free openly licensed educational resources. The cumulative cost savings for the first six years are projected to surpass $75 million by spring 2026.

Dr. Angie Paccione, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education, emphasized that education should open doors rather than close them. She believes that these grants will save students hundreds of dollars on textbooks, expand zero-cost degree programs, and ensure that no one is left behind due to the cost of learning materials.

The Colorado OER Grant Program awards funds to public higher education institutions for various purposes such as zero textbook degree development, collaborative partnerships, small group projects, institutional general incentive funds, individual courses, and professional development. In its eighth year, the program is being led by 20 institutions and features ZTC degrees in disciplines ranging from mathematics to social work. Currently, there are 18 ZTC degrees and certificates in progress, and these grants will increase the number to 29. One collaborative project called OER Anatomy Hub provides free digital anatomical models that can be affordably printed in 3D for use in science and healthcare classrooms.

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According to Chealsye Bowley, CDHE director of open education and learning innovation, this was the most competitive application cycle for the OER grant program with $1.5 million in 35 proposed projects. She also noted that enthusiasm for open pedagogy and zero textbook cost programs is at an all-time high in Colorado.

To further promote open education in Colorado, CDHE and the OER Council will be hosting events and professional development opportunities during Open Education Week from March 2-6. Additionally, the annual statewide OER conference will take place on May 29 at Arapahoe Community College. The theme for this year's conference is "Open for Good: Resilience, Innovation and Collaboration," and registration is free.

The Higher Education Open Educational Resources (H.B. 18-1331) was championed by the Colorado General Assembly's Joint Budget Committee in 2018. It established the grant program and charged Colorado's OER Council with advising the Department on aspects of the initiative. The grant program was expanded for five additional years with Use of Open Educational Resources in Higher Education (S.B. 21-215). To learn more about the program, including its impact and reach, interested individuals can read the 2025 Open Educational Resources Report.

The OER Council, a nationally recognized advisory group created by statute, works closely with CDHE staff to provide expert opinions in areas such as academics, library sciences, and instructional design. Their goal is to promote the development of open education in Colorado.

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