CO SB197

Consolidates three separate youth services programs (youth mentoring, student dropout prevention, and before-and-after school programs) into the single Tony Grampsas Youth Services Grant Program administered by the Department of Human Services.

Transfers decision-making authority from the Tony Grampsas Youth Services Board to the state department, with the board now serving in an approval role for grant recipients rather than selecting them directly.

Creates new definitions for grant applicant types: single entity, multi-entity (collaborative partnerships), and intermediary entity (organizations that subcontract to community partners with 50% or more of budget allocated to partners).

Requires grant-funded programs to utilize evidence-based or evidence-informed practices and establishes annual reporting requirements, with reduced reporting for entities with operating budgets under $1.5 million or grants of $25,000 or less.

Transfers unexpended balances from the youth mentoring services cash fund, student dropout prevention fund, and Colorado student before-and-after school project fund to the youth services program fund on June 30, 2025, and adjusts appropriations by decreasing marijuana tax cash fund contributions by $500,000.