Every Military Child in Colorado Deserves to Thrive
The central resource for Colorado educators and administrators on Purple Star School designation, Month of the Military Child programming, and Impact Aid funding — all in one place.
Three Areas, One Hub
Navigate to the resource area most relevant to your school or district.
Purple Star Schools
Colorado's designation for public schools that go above and beyond to support military-connected students. Learn what it takes to qualify, how to apply, and see current recipients.
Month of the Military Child
Every April, schools and communities celebrate military children nationwide. Access event ideas, toolkits, activity guides, and materials to honor these resilient students.
Impact Aid
Federal funding for districts serving federally-connected children. Understand eligibility under Sections 7002, 7003, and 7007, and learn how to submit or strengthen your application.
Purple Star School Designation
Created by House Bill 24-1076 in 2024, the Colorado Purple Star Program recognizes public schools committed to supporting military-connected students and families.
What Schools Must Do to Qualify
- Military Liaison: Designate a staff member to identify military-connected students, serve as family point-of-contact, and connect students to counseling and support services.
- Dedicated Web Page: Maintain an accessible page with enrollment info, academic planning, counseling services, and liaison contact details.
- Student-Led Transition Program: Establish a peer program to welcome and support incoming military-connected students.
- Educator Professional Development: Offer staff training on the unique needs and experiences of military-connected youth.
- One Additional Initiative: A public resolution, April/November celebrations, a partnership with a local installation, or student-driven clubs for military families.
- Commitment Criteria: Annual recognition events, installation partnerships, military outreach, and community engagement projects.
📅 2025–2026 Application Timeline
Note: timelines can shift year-to-year; always confirm the current cycle on CDE’s page.
School Liaison Officer (SLO)
School Liaison Officers help military families and schools navigate transitions, connect districts to installation resources, and strengthen support for military-connected students. They do not manage Colorado’s Purple Star designation process (CDE does) — but they can help schools get connected and get started.
- Support military family school transitions (PCS moves, deployments, school changes)
- Connect educators and districts with installation resources and points of contact
- Share best practices for supporting military-connected students
- Coordinate local awareness efforts (Month of the Military Child, Purple Up, etc.)
Month of the Military Child
April is Month of the Military Child — a nationwide celebration honoring the resilience, strength, and sacrifices of military families and their children.
Classroom Activities
Age-appropriate lesson plans, writing prompts, art projects, and discussion guides to honor military children's experiences in the classroom.
School Events
Ideas for assemblies, awareness days (wear purple!), family nights, veteran visits, and community events that spotlight military kids.
Outreach & Communications
Template announcements, social media copy, newsletter content, and proclamation language for schools and districts.
Family Resource Guides
Printable guides and digital resources for military families on school enrollment, support services, and connecting with the community.
Official Resources & Toolkits
The dandelion is a widely used symbol of military children — resilient, adaptable, capable of thriving anywhere. Many schools designate April 15th as "Dandelion Day" when students and staff wear yellow to show appreciation for military families. It's free, easy to organize, and meaningful.
Impact Aid Program
Since 1950, Congress has provided funding to school districts that educate federally-connected children, including those from military families. Below is a plain-language view of what it is, what it pays for, and what to do next.
Impact Aid is real, recurring federal money that goes directly to school districts that educate federally-connected students (including many military-connected students).
The Colorado list reflects districts that completed the count and submitted for FY2025. If your district serves military-connected and other federally-connected students, the first step is running an annual family survey and submitting through the federal portal. Payments vary by formula — but the upside can be significant at scale.
Payments for Federal Property
Assists districts that have lost local tax revenue because federal property within their boundaries is exempt from local property taxes.
Basic Support Payments
Funding based on annual count of federally-connected students — including many children of uniformed service members and other eligible federal categories.
Children With Disabilities
Additional payments for federally-connected students who qualify for IDEA services. Separate from Basic Support Payments; must be used for disability-related costs.
Construction Grants
Formula and competitive grants for construction and repair of school buildings for districts with high percentages of children from uniformed services families or on Indian lands.
How Districts Receive Impact Aid (Plain Talk)
- Run the annual family survey (count) to identify eligible federally-connected students.
- Verify and submit the count as part of the district’s official Impact Aid application.
- Apply through the federal portal (Impact Aid Grant System).
- Receive funding based on federal formula factors and your district’s student counts.
How to Apply — Step by Step
Determine Eligibility
Estimate federally-connected student counts and confirm eligibility definitions and documentation requirements.
Conduct Your Annual Count (Survey)
Each year, districts conduct an official count. Families complete survey forms confirming federal eligibility status. This count is the basis for payment.
Access the Impact Aid Grant System
Register and submit applications through the Impact Aid Grant System Portal ↗ — the official federal portal for applications and reporting.
Submit Your Annual Application
Complete the application through the portal, including student count data, LEA information, and supporting documentation.
Receive and Report on Funds
Funds are distributed to districts. Most Basic Support funds are flexible general aid; disability-related funds must be used for eligible special education costs.
Not Sure If Your District Qualifies?
We can help you understand the basics, estimate potential opportunity, and outline the steps to get started.
Expanding This Hub
We're building tools to make it easier — not harder — for Colorado schools to access support for military-connected families. Here's what's on the roadmap.
Colorado Military School Finder
Interactive map of Colorado Purple Star schools with contact info, liaison details, and resources for families relocating to Colorado.
Impact Aid Eligibility Calculator
Enter your district’s enrollment and count estimates to get a quick eligibility assessment for Impact Aid sections 7002, 7003, and 7007.
Standardized Student Survey Forms
Colorado-aligned annual count survey templates to make the federally-connected student count more consistent across districts.
Application Support Toolkit
Guidance and templates for districts to reduce administrative burden while improving submission quality and on-time filing.
Statewide Military Family Resource Directory
Opt-in directory to help families find resources when they PCS into Colorado communities — connected to schools and support services.
Educator Training Platform
On-demand professional development modules for Colorado teachers on the unique needs of military-connected students, deployments, and frequent moves.
We're Here to Help Colorado Schools
Whether you're starting a Purple Star application, strengthening support for military-connected students, or exploring Impact Aid basics — the Aurora Chamber Military Affairs team is your partner.