C.R.S. § 26.5-2-207: Early childhood councils - waivers - rules - funding - application.

(1) (a) A local council may request a waiver of any rule that would prevent a council from implementing council projects in accordance with the council's community strategic plan. The local council shall submit the request to the department. The executive director shall grant waivers upon recommendation by the department.

(b) If a council's waiver request falls outside the purview of the department, the department shall assign a liaison to consult with the affected state agency.

(c) The executive director shall establish by rule the requirements for the waiver process, including the format and content of a council's waiver request, the criteria for the executive director to grant a request to waive a department rule, and associated timelines.

(2) (a) The executive director shall adopt rules to develop and distribute to councils the application form and application process to be used by each council seeking to receive council infrastructure, quality improvement, and technical assistance funding from the early childhood cash fund created in section 26.5-2-209 and other funding sources appropriated for early childhood services.

(b) The department shall, upon receipt, review applications for early childhood funding from the early childhood cash fund established in section 26.5-2-209 and from money appropriated from other sources for early childhood services.

(c) The department is authorized to enter into a sole-source contract with any council to increase and sustain the quality, accessibility, capacity, and affordability of early childhood services for young children and their parents.

(3) The rules must include information about the agreement termination process, application process, and associated timelines if a county reconfigures or designates a new convening entity.