Overview

ALL KIDS DESERVE SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL
Colorado Safe Routes to School (SRTS) uses a comprehensive approach to make school routes safe for children when walking and bicycling to school. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) administers Colorado's SRTS program. In Colorado, many communities, parents and schools are fostering a safe environment for their students by using SRTS programs to not only fund education and safe infrastructure, but also to encourage healthy options for our children that are safe for both walking and bicycling.

Why is this program important?
SRTS programs can improve safety, not just for children, but for the entire community. It provides opportunities for people to increase their physical activity and improve their health. It reduces congestion and pollution around our schools and encourages partnerships.

In 1969, roughly half of all 5-to-18 year olds walked or biked to school. Nearly 90% are driven by auto or bus to school today. SRTS is a Federal-Aid program to enable children to walk and bicycle safely.

In Colorado, funds are distributed to develop programs for K-8 grades. The SRTS Advisory Committee includes educators, parents, bicyclists, pedestrians, law enforcement, and transportation planners. School districts, schools, cities, counties, state entities and tribal entities are eligible to apply. Nonprofits need to partner with a state subdivision to apply for funding.

$1,000 Mini Grants

CDOT is offering $1,000 mini grants to schools to pilot the newly developed K-8 bicycle and pedestrian lesson plans. Examples of these lessons include walk/bike related math problems, lessons on the bicycle’s role in American history/cultural geography, science projects, health lessons (nutritional requirements for and calories burned when walking and biking), and environmental awareness of the ecological benefits of walking and biking. Each lesson is developed in a way that should require minimal teacher planning and preparation.

See Announcement and How to Apply

2011 Safe Routes to School Grantees

Click here to see the 2011 SRTS awards.

Top Scoring 2011 Applications 

• Top Scoring Infrastructure Application - 2011 City of Las Animas
• Top Scoring Non-Infrastructure Application - 2011 City of Loveland

2012 Applications

A call for applications is announced through CDOT's Public Information Office. SRTS applications are available on the website. 2012 grant applications will are posted below. Colorado Safe Routes to School looks forward to working with you.

To view or download the 2012 Infrastructure (capital) and Non-Infrastructure (education) applications, click on the following links:

• Infrastructure Application

• Non-Infrastructure Application
  

(Applications Due Friday December 2, 2011 4 p.m.)

Illustrations by Julia McClurg Funded by the Federal Highway Administration.