Since 2007, The Colorado Education Initiative has played a pivotal role in advancing key initiatives in public education. The organization was originally established with the narrow focus of raising funds to help support the Colorado Department of Education (CDE). They soon realized that the statewide focus and close partnership with CDE offered a unique opportunity to do much more. Early on they had an important influence in bringing focus to educator effectiveness and in creating awareness about the critical link between student health and academic achievement.

Today, they act as the innovation and R & D partner for CDE. They incubate innovation, shine a spotlight on success and invest in organizations, schools and ideas that improve outcomes for students. They believe that the greatest leverage point for change is in building a broad base of constituents who explore, adopt and share innovative and effective practices. They have earned a reputation as an honest broker and trusted source of good information. The Colorado Education Initiative is not an advocacy organization. They focus on the effective implementation of education initiatives that result in increased achievement for Colorado students. The approach has attracted national attention and millions of philanthropic dollars to public education in Colorado. Until April of 2014, they were known as the Colorado Legacy Foundation.