The Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) through the Division of Local Government (DLG) manages the Energy and Mineral Impact Fund (EIAF), which grants money to help areas socially or economically affected by the development, processing, or energy conversion of minerals and mineral fuels.
DLG recently awarded a total of $8.6 million in EIAF grants in two application rounds: $7 million for 17 projects in Tier II (requesting more than $200,000 in grant money) and another $1.6 million for 14 projects in Tier I (requesting less than $200,000).
Among the EIAF awards are the Town of Idaho Springs, Gunnison/Hinsdale Combined Emergency Telephone Service Authority (GHCETSA), Town of Eckley,
Morrison Creek Metropolitan Water & Sanitation District, Mesa County, Town of Green Mountain Falls, City of Leadville, Elbert County Communications Authority, and Yampa Valley Housing Authority.
“Colorado’s local governments work hard to ensure sustainability and resiliency in their communities,” said DLG Director Chantal Unfug, “And DOLA is proud to support their efforts.”
DOLA awarded Idaho Springs Public Works $600,000 to move out of a 90-year-old gas station and into a new 4,865-square-foot building to centralize equipment, vehicles, offices, and will include an enclosed salt storage structure. The facility will provide for future growth, accommodate a larger workforce, and maximize workflow efficiency.
DOLA awarded GHCETSA $246,417 to replace communication consoles to improve public safety. The new equipment will improve radio communications among public safety agencies including police, fire, EMS, public works, search and rescue, mental health crisis teams, and state and federal partners, who serve 22 user agencies over 3,777 square miles.
DOLA awarded the Town of Eckley $450,000 for a new 175,000-gallon elevated water storage tank to provide necessary storage for daily demand and fire flows, and to improve impurity removal and increase capacity. The improvements will decrease risks to public health and economic strain on the Town.
DOLA awarded Morrison Creek Metropolitan Water & Sanitation District $600,000 to help replace a 50-year-old wastewater treatment plant, ensuring that standards will continue to be met in discharges into Stagecoach Reservoir. The natural resources of the Stagecoach Reservoir area will be well protected with a new state of the art facility.
DOLA awarded Mesa County $300,000 to complete the architectural design and engineering for the Mesa County Early Childhood Education Center, which will provide high quality childcare for approximately 174 children. The center will include classrooms, commercial kitchen, recreation areas, and a family centered community hall for family activities and after school programming.
DOLA awarded the Town of Green Mountain Falls a little over $52,000 to help the community with its top priority of a comprehensive plan for road and drainage improvements for the safety of its residents. This plan will provide the Town with a blueprint of their road system to prioritize resources and maintenance for long-term sustainability, particularly in addressing the potential for fires and floods prone to the area.
DOLA awarded the City of Leadville nearly $185,000 to hire a city administrator to transition from a mayor and council form of management to a new municipal administrator organizational structure. The grant award is for a three-year period, allowing the City to develop plans for long-term financial and staffing stability. This restructuring will allow the local government to be more responsive to the community, creating a more sustainable future for growth and development.
DOLA awarded the Yampa Valley Housing Authority $200,000 for a plan to address a crisis in affordable housing for workers, including teachers, law enforcement, and childcare providers. The plan will support the development of a self-sufficient and sustainable community to include housing options, open space, commercial opportunities, daycare and other community needs.
DOLA awarded the Elbert County Communications Authority $200,000 for a digital trunked radio system (DTRS) to expand coverage of emergency services. A new communications shelter, tower, and antennas will be part of a statewide system to support all users including emergency services in Elbert County, Colorado State Patrol, Colorado Department of Transportation, and neighboring counties. The DTRS system invests in better emergency services benefiting the communities now and into the future.
EIAF awards help achieve Governor Jared Polis’ Four Bold Goals for renewable energy, education, health, and economic development, while also meeting the needs vocalized by rural communities.
“It is more critical than ever to leverage funding toward public infrastructure,” Unfug added.