Digital Access and Empowerment Initiative
In Colorado and across the country, there are significant gaps in access to the internet, and many people across industries and demographics lack the skills they need to use digital tools for work, learning, and daily life.
Digital literacy and access to the internet are also considered a “super social determinant of health." They are the backbone for all other social determinants of health (economic sustainability, health care system, community, social context, food, education, neighborhood, and physical environment).
The Digital Access Team includes staff members from the Colorado Workforce Development Council in the Colorado Department of Labor & Employment, and collaborates with the Colorado Broadband Office in the Governor’s Office of Information Technology and the Office of eHealth Innovation.
Colorado Digital Access Coalition
The Colorado Digital Access Coalition connects digital inclusion practitioners and content expertise from around the state together to tackle the state’s barriers to digital inclusion.
Join Us!
If you are interested in ensuring all Coloradans have the digital skills, tools, and connectivity to fully participate in an increasingly digital economy, please join us for our monthly Colorado Digital Access Coalition meetings. Current participants include staff members from nonprofits, libraries, local and state government, and others who want to work toward closing the digital divide. We are intentionally building an inclusive membership and working groups of diverse partners. Meetings are held on the first Friday of the month from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Register to Attend an Upcoming Coalition Meeting
The Colorado Workforce Development Council values ensuring accessibility for all those who participate in our activities and events. If you need accommodations, please email digitalaccess@state.co.us with your request at least 5 business days before the event date.
Questions? Email the Digital Access Team at digitalaccess@state.co.us.
- 2026 Meetings
- 01/6/26: Digital Access Stakeholder Meeting
- 02/9/26: Digital Access Stakeholder Meeting
- 2025 Meetings
- 01/28/25: Digital Access Stakeholder Meeting
- 03/25/25: Digital Access Stakeholder Meeting
- 05/29/25: Digital Access Stakeholder Meeting
- 7/22/25: Digital Access Stakeholder Meeting
- 9/23/25: Digital Access Stakeholder Meeting
Previous materials for past meetings are available upon request. Please email digitalaccess@state.co.us. for your request.
Get Involved with Digital Access
Digital Access Monthly Newsletter
The Digital Download Newsletter is your place for monthly updates from the Colorado Digital Access Team.
- 2025 Editions
- 2024 Editions
Digital Navigator Resources
Digital Navigators assess community members’ access to internet service at home and to web-enabled equipment, along with their ability to utilize technology to meet their needs and achieve their goals. They also help create digital inclusion goals and work with community members to achieve them. Anyone can be a Digital Navigator, including those who help individuals navigate health care, benefits, or other services.
- How Can I Find a Digital Navigator Near Me?
The following Digital Navigator programs are available to community members in Colorado:
- Loveland Public Library operates the Digital Navigators of Larimer County Libraries program in 12 locations throughout Larimer County, including at several low-income housing communities for the residents of those communities.
- Denver Public Library has a Digital Navigator Program at several library branches. You can talk to a navigator by calling 720-865-3446 or emailing dignav@denverlibrary.org.
If your organization offers services to help community members access affordable high-speed internet service for their home, obtain low or no-cost devices, and build digital skills, please let us know. Email digitalaccess@state.co.us to have your organization’s name and website added to this page.
The Digital Navigator Pilot Program, which placed Digital Navigators across the state in partnership with The Learning Source and Loveland Public Library, has concluded. However, Loveland Public Library is continuing to offer digital skills services.
Digital Access Resources
Definitions
- Digital Equity
Digital Equity is a state in which all individuals and communities have the information technology capacity needed for full participation in our society, democracy, and economy. The three key components of digital equity include:
- Access to affordable, high-speed internet
- Access to affordable, web-enabled technology
- Access to relevant and high-quality, effective training and support for digital skill development and use
- Digital Inclusion
Digital Inclusion refers to activities necessary to ensure that all individuals and communities have access to information and communication technologies, and the literacy and resilience to use them. Digital inclusion ultimately leads to digital equity.
- Digital Resilience
Digital Resilience refers to the awareness, skills, agility, and confidence to be empowered users of new technologies and adapt to changing digital skill demands.
Source: Digital US
- Digital Literacy
Digital Literacy is the ability to use information and communication technologies to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information, requiring both cognitive and technical skills.