Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) has announced the availability of Community Impact Grants aimed at enhancing the quality of life and access to outdoor spaces in Colorado communities. The program is designed to support capital infrastructure projects and community-driven processes that inform these initiatives. For the fiscal year 2025, GOCO plans to allocate a total of $18.9 million, which includes $10.3 million in local government funds and $8.6 million in open space funds, to advance various projects across its base programs. The grants are intended to foster collaboration among partners to achieve shared land conservation goals while considering community impacts and diverse perspectives.

The primary purpose of the Community Impact Grants is to develop and revitalize parks and outdoor recreation amenities that are prioritized by the communities they serve. Applicants can request funding for several components, including local capacity building, community planning and organizing, land acquisitions, site-specific design, and project communications. The funding range for grant requests is between $100,000 and $1 million, with the possibility of considering requests outside this range on a case-by-case basis.

Eligible applicants for the Community Impact Grants include municipalities and counties in Colorado, Title 32 special districts that can receive distributions from the Conservation Trust Fund, political subdivisions of the state focused on open space and natural area management, 501(c)(3) nonprofit land conservation organizations, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The program encourages applications from entities that can demonstrate a commitment to community engagement and the enhancement of outdoor experiences.

Submission requirements for the grant application are not explicitly detailed in the provided information. However, applicants are expected to outline their project plans, including how they will address community needs and barriers to outdoor access. The application process may involve answering specific questions related to project goals, community impact, and funding use.

Evaluation criteria for the grants will likely focus on the project's alignment with community priorities, the potential for enhancing outdoor access, and the effectiveness of proposed strategies for community engagement and capacity building. GOCO aims to support projects that reflect the needs and aspirations of the communities involved.

The deadline for submitting applications for the Community Impact Grants is October 24, 2024. Interested parties should ensure that their applications are completed and submitted by this date to be considered for funding. For further information, applicants can reach out to Jackie Miller at GOCO via email or phone.

Overall, the Community Impact Grants from Great Outdoors Colorado present a significant opportunity for eligible organizations to secure funding for projects that enhance community access to outdoor spaces and improve quality of life through thoughtful land conservation efforts.