In 1996, Dolly Parton launched Dolly Parton's Imagination Library (DPIL) book gifting program to foster a love of reading in Tennessee's children. Each month of a child’s life from 0-5, one brand-new, developmentally-appropriate book is mailed to a child's home at no cost to parents.

  In 2000, the program became available for replication to any community willing to champion it locally. Since its launch, DPIL has mailed 300,000,000+ books to children worldwide with a program model that provides a turnkey “blueprint” to promote early childhood literacy and kindergarten readiness.

  In 2019, a group of Colorado community leaders saw the impact the Imagination Library has on children throughout the State, and plans were put in motion to mail books to ALL Colorado children. On February 26, 2020, Senate Bill SB20-185 was introduced to the Colorado General Assembly to provide funding for a statewide Imagination Library. The bi-partisan sponsored Bill was signed on July 10, 2020, and became effective on September 13, 2020.

 Overseen by the state librarian in the Department of Education House Bill HB24-1205  relocated the program to the Colorado Department Of Early Childhood. Signed by by Governor Polis on February 27, 2024, the House Bill became effective on June 30, 2024.