The Damage Prevention Fund Grant is an initiative announced by the Division of Oil and Public Safety at the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. This grant aims to support educational programming that enhances worker and public safety concerning excavation and underground facilities. The funding is made available through the Damage Prevention Fund, which is governed by the Excavation Requirements law. The Safety Commission is responsible for determining the appropriateness of the educational programs and awarding grants to eligible applicants.

The primary purpose of the Damage Prevention Fund Grant is to improve safety related to excavation activities. The objectives include funding educational initiatives that inform the public and workers about safe digging practices and the importance of notifying relevant associations before excavation begins. This initiative seeks to reduce accidents and enhance awareness of underground facilities, thereby promoting a safer working environment.

The total funding available for this grant cycle is up to $20,000, which may be awarded in smaller amounts for multiple proposals. The awards are determined by the Safety Commission award committee, which evaluates the applications based on their merit and relevance to the grant's objectives. Importantly, there is no matching requirement for applicants, making it accessible for various organizations.

Eligible applicants for the Damage Prevention Fund Grant include county and state governments. The grant is open to all counties in Colorado, allowing a wide range of organizations to apply. The focus is on those who can develop educational programming that aligns with the goals of the Safety Commission and the notification association.

Submission requirements for the grant are not explicitly detailed in the provided information. However, interested applicants are encouraged to reach out to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment for further guidance. The contact email for inquiries is cdle_ops@state.co.us.

The evaluation criteria for the grant will likely include the relevance of the proposed educational program to the objectives of improving safety in excavation practices, the feasibility of the program, and the potential impact on worker and public safety. Specific details regarding the application questions and the evaluation process have not been provided.

The deadline for submitting applications for the Damage Prevention Fund Grant is October 11, 2024. It is important for potential applicants to be aware of this timeline to ensure their proposals are submitted on time. For more information about the grant and its requirements, applicants can visit the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment's website.