Background and Funding

Extension is the off-campus educational arm of Colorado State University. The Extension system, a nationwide educational network, is a partnership of county, state and federal governments working cooperatively with the private sector. The Smith-Lever Act established state Extension Services as a third program branch, along with resident instruction and research, of the land-grant universities in each state. Extension agents and specialists are general faculty of Colorado State University. They work with local constituents throughout Colorado in planning, developing and implementing the educational programs of Extension. Volunteers also have an important role in the delivery of Extension programs. Extension programs serve Coloradans wherever they live.

Funding for Extension is provided from multiple sources: federal, state, county and non-tax monies. Federal funds are allocated to the states on the basis of law and formula. Additionally, some federal funds are earmarked to meet special national priority needs. Extension receives state funds from Colorado State University's allocation through the Colorado Commission on Higher Education as part of the state's higher education budget. County commissioners appropriate annual budget funds to support the operation of the Extension office in their county. Some funds are received from non-tax sources such as program grants and cost recovery fees.

For more information, contact your local Colorado State University Extension office.

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Uploaded Tuesday, September 25, 2007

© Colorado State University Extension. 1995-2004. Contact Extension Web Manager. Home Page: www.ext.colostate.edu. Issued in furtherance of Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Milan A. Rewerts, Director of Extension, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado. Extension programs are available to all without discrimination. No endorsement of products mentioned is intended nor is criticism implied of products not mentioned.