Colorado Clears First Race to Top Hurdle DENVER, CO (KUNC) - Colorado is one of 16 states - and the only one west of the Mississippi - selected as part of a national contest for millions of dollars in federal education grants, according to an announcement by U.S. Education Secretary Arnie Duncan Thursday.

Colorado is trying to win some $370 million worth of federal Race to the Top grants. The overall pie is in the billions, but the Obama Administration has said it's looking to fund innovative education reform projects in states that meet certain, stringent criteria.

The announcement that Colorado is a finalist doesn't necessarily mean the state will get money, it just assures that education officials will get to present their proposal in person in Washington D.C. next month.

"And if what's right for Colorado, ends up being right in the eyes of Washington, that will be a huge win win, but we're going forward no matter what," says Lieutenant Governor Barbara O'Brien, who led up the state's application.

O'Brien says that's because the state's proposal has broad public support. Though it doesn't yet have any money.

Still, education officials are quick to tout its potential. The proposal is geared at narrowing or eliminating achievement gaps among students, and improving teacher effectiveness and training.

Colorado Education Commissioner Dwight Jones figures the federal government is keen on the state's work in improving these areas.

"And I think they are equally right to place a bet on that work, because if indeed they are sincere, that this is about getting better results for all kids, eliminating that achievement gap, then I think we are well positioned to do that work and to demonstrate that it can be done," Jones says.

Should Colorado win all or at least a portion of Race to the Top grant funds, the money would go to efforts like those across the state. Education leaders stress that it would not go to back filling looming budget cuts facing most K-12 school districts.

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