Colorado School Safety Standards

School Safety Legislation & Resources

SAFER Grant Program

The Colorado Office of School Safety recently announced the availability of FY2026 funds for its SAFER Grant Program, which provides funding for “interoperable communication hardware, software, equipment maintenance, and training to allow for seamless communications between existing school communications systems and first responder communications systems,” including the CENTEGIX Safety Platform®. Grant recipients may use the funds to invest in Colorado school safety solutions, including:

• Training staff to communicate effectively with first responders during emergencies.
• Implementing or upgrading technology that facilitates communication between schools and first responder agencies.
• Maintaining, improving, or purchasing hardware and software for Colorado school alert systems.

All applications and additional submission requirements must be received by the submission deadline of Tuesday, May 13, 2025, by 5:00 PM MST. Notification of funding recommendations will take place on June 10, 2025.

For additional information on the SAFER Grant Program, including Safer Grant Webinars and Technical Assistance, visit odss.colorado.gov.

Colorado Senate Bill 23-41

During the 2023 legislative session, Colorado state lawmakers prioritized safety and security in Colorado’s schools. During the 2023-24 school year, a variety of funding sources exist to help schools purchase or update Colorado school alert systems. Central to this effort is Senate Bill 23-41, which created the Colorado Office of School Safety within the Department of Public Safety. The legislation specifies the following duties for the Office of School Safety:

• Its director must appoint a grants manager.
• It must create a crisis response unit.
• It oversees the School Safety Resource Center.
• It manages the School Access for Emergency Response (SAFER) grant program.
• It will create, administer, and appropriately fund a youth violence prevention program.

School Security Disbursement Program

Under SB 23-41, the Colorado legislature also created the School Security Disbursement Program. In FY24, $16 million is available for local education providers and eligible nonprofit organizations. Eligible expenses include training staff in threat assessment, emergency response, behavioral interventions, and school safety best practices. The grant also funds programs that address the fundamental causes of youth violence and encourage students to become contributing members of their schools, neighborhoods, and communities.

The School Security Disbursement Program also distributes funds for capital projects related to Colorado school alert systems. These projects can include but are not limited to “any structure or installed hardware, device, or equipment that protects a public school facility or public school vehicle and the students, educators, and other individuals who attend, work in, or visit a public school facility or are transported in a public school vehicle from threats of physical harm.” These Colorado school safety solutions may do the following:

• Prevent the entry of unauthorized individuals into a school or school vehicle.
• Expedite communication when a threat is present.

The Office of School Safety informs districts and schools about these and other state and federal grants and offers assistance in the grant application process.

A Multilayered School Safety Solution for Colorado Schools

The CENTEGIX Safety Platform is a multilayered school safety solution that helps districts meet the Colorado Office of School Safety’s requirements and qualify for grant funding. The CENTEGIX Safety Platform facilitates:

• Emergency response using an innovative incident command system.
• Seamless and efficient lockdown procedures.
• Foundational knowledge on which to base active shooter plans and procedures.
• A streamlined and expedited process for requesting help during medical emergencies.
• Staff access to missing student information in the event of student elopement.
• Quick access to the vital data needed for successful reunification plans.

The CENTEGIX Safety Platform: Creating a Culture of Safety

CENTEGIX solutions create the foundation for a culture of safety that prioritizes staff and students’ security and well-being. The following features of the CENTEGIX Safety Platform make it an effective Colorado school safety solution:

• Reliable communication: no Wi-Fi or cellular connectivity is required.
• Ease of adoption: staff is not required to download or learn to use an app.
• Rapid access to first responders: staff can connect immediately to diverse emergency services.
• Communication in emergencies: first responder agencies can coordinate in real time.
• Instant alerts: integration with local public safety answering points facilitates 911 calls and mobile notifications.

CENTEGIX Safety Report 2026 School Safety Trends:
Clarity in Crisis - Replacing Uncertainty with Coordinated Response

Built from more than 346,000 wearable panic button alerts collected during the 2025–2026 school year, the 2026 School Safety Trends Report provides a comprehensive look at how K-12 schools are improving emergency response, strengthening preparedness, and enhancing campus safety nationwide through clarity.

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