Senate Bill 18-158: School Access for Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program

• Creates the School Access for Emergency Response Grant Program to fund interoperable communication technology between schools and first responders, administered by the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management.

• Provides grants to schools and public safety communications system owners for hardware, software, training, and equipment maintenance to enable seamless emergency communications between school and first responder systems.

• Establishes a 7-member grant selection committee appointed by legislative leaders and the Department of Public Safety to review applications and award grants based on schools' compliance with the Colorado School Response Framework and crisis management planning.

• Creates a dedicated cash fund receiving $5 million annually from the State Public School Fund on July 1 of each year from 2018 through 2023, with up to 3% of appropriated funds available for program administration.

• Automatically repeals on July 1, 2024, with all unexpended and unencumbered money transferred to the general fund.