Colorado is making headway in the battle against the soaring costs of higher education. Thursday, the Colorado Commission on Higher Education announced the approval of $1 million in grants to support Open Educational Resources (OER) and reduce the financial burden of textbooks on students. This move encompasses 28 new proposals, focusing heavily on the development of zero-textbook-cost degree programs and collaborative educational initiatives.
The grants were spurred by Governor Polis's reissued Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) Challenge earlier in May 2025, resulting in 11 new ZTC degrees and certificates, including programs in space studies, construction project management, data science, and nursing. "Educational materials like textbooks are essential to student success, yet too often they come with a hefty price tag. By investing $1 million in open education grants, Colorado is signaling to students that we are committed to removing barriers and making higher education affordable and accessible. This investment alone will save students an average of more than $3 million on textbooks, a three to one return!" Governor Polis expressed, as per the Colorado Governor's Office.
The OER grant program isn't new to the scene; it's currently in its seventh year. Up till now, it has collaborated to save Colorado students close to $60 million on textbook expenses and has transformed more than 2,200 courses to no-cost resources. Projections suggest that by spring 2026, the cumulative savings could surpass $75 million. This information was highlighted by Dr. Angie Paccione, the Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education, who said, "Education should open doors, not close them. These grants will save students hundreds of dollars on textbooks, expand zero-cost degree programs and ensure that no one is left behind because of the cost of learning materials," as obtained by the Colorado Governor's Office.
Looking ahead, the OER grant initiative seems to only grow more competitive. Chealsye Bowley, CDHE director of open education and learning innovation, noted a record-high interest with "$1.5 million in 35 proposed projects" for the program's eighth year. The OER Council is also at the forefront, preparing for Open Education Week 2026, which promises a suite of events including interactive webinars and faculty awards. The annual statewide OER conference is scheduled for May 29th, and with the focus being Open for Good: Resilience, Innovation and Collaboration, registration is free for participants wanting to deepen their understanding and engagement with open education efforts.
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