Media Contact:
Chynna Cowart, Press Secretary | chynna.cowart@state.co.us | (303) 656-7464
Projects funded include workforce housing development, early childhood education center, law enforcement technology, and net-zero carbon emission community
The Department of Local Affairs’ (DOLA) Division of Local Government (DLG) awarded $64,940,795 across 82 projects for Energy/Mineral Impact Assistance Fund (EIAF) grants in Cycle 24-07, the 43rd cycle. This program was created to assist political subdivisions (as defined in statute) that are socially and/or economically impacted by the development, processing, or energy conversion of minerals and mineral fuels.
The last cycle of EIAF included three special initiatives: More Housing Now (MHN), Climate Resilience Challenge (CRC), and Main Street LIVE (MSL). All three initiatives received significant interest from local communities, and each initiative successfully made awards.
“These grants invest in projects which have significant impact for Coloradans in both rural and urban areas of our state,” said Maria De Cambra, Executive Director of the Department of Local Affairs. “Funding these projects enhances livability in our Colorado communities through housing, resiliency efforts and energy impacts.”
Highlights of the funded projects include:
- Elizabeth Community-Senior Center Engineering Plans (Elizabeth, CO - Elbert County)
The Town of Elizabeth was awarded $200,000 for architectural and engineering design for a community/senior center to address the limited social and activity amenities in the area, affecting seniors and the broader community.
- Poudre Fire Authority Training Facility Master Plan (Fort Collins, CO - Larimer County)
The Poudre Fire Authority was awarded $62,500 to develop a Master Plan for an emergency responder regional training hub that will offer national and international instruction to provide critical services that save lives, address hazards and support community safety.
- MSL Frisco Downtown Streets Final Design (Frisco, CO - Summit County)
The Town of Frisco was awarded $200,000 from the Main Street LIVE special initiative for design and engineering for workforce housing development in downtown that will result in increased pedestrian activity, infill and economic development through mixed-use development of the area.
- SWCCOG Alpine Loop CNLs & Equipment (Southwest CO)
The Southwest Colorado Council of Governments was awarded $999,999 for equipment to connect to Carrier Neutral Locations in Cortez, Mancos, Durango, Bayfield and Poncha Springs to enhance bandwidth and network reliability across the region.
- Buena Vista School District Early Childhood Education Center (Buena Vista, CO - Chaffee County)
Buena Vista R-31 School District was awarded $1M for construction of an addition to the Public Works building to expand the District’s early childcare education center to improve social equity and generate workforce resilience.
- Pueblo Real Time Crime Center (Pueblo, CO - Pueblo County)
The City of Pueblo was awarded $1M for equipment purchase and installation to implement innovative technology including gunshot detectors, mounted cameras, computer consoles, specialized software, and permanent trailer units to assist law enforcement and reduce the city’s crime rate.
- Round Mountain SD Westcliffe Wastewater Demonstration Upgrade (Westcliffe, CO - Custer County)
Round Mountain Water & Sanitation District was awarded $546,750 for a demonstration project of wastewater treatment through electrocoagulation within a lagoon system to advance new construction of affordable housing, growth and economic development in the area.
- MHN Aurora 13th Ave. Transit Development (Aurora, CO - Arapahoe, Adams, and Douglas Counties)
The City of Aurora was awarded $2M from the More Housing Now special initiative for bridge deck construction to connect 920 units of affordable rental and for-sale housing units adjacent to an RTD transit station.
- CRC Hayden Northwest CO Business Park Geothermal Utilities (Hayden, CO - Routt County)
The Town of Hayden, a Just Transition community, was awarded $2M for construction of a closed loop geothermal network at the Northwest Colorado Business Park in order to phase out natural gas and move towards a net-zero carbon emission community, resulting in reduced energy consumption and increased resiliency for the town.
- CRC SECOG Eastern Plains Renewable Energy Impact Study (Southeast CO)
The Southeast Council of Governments was awarded $500,000 to conduct a Renewable Energy Impact Study across 18 eastern plains counties to analyze the impacts of renewable energy development and work toward effective solutions to mitigate any negative impacts and offer strategies to capitalize on any positive impacts.
- MSL Durango Downtown Street Improvements Design (Durango, CO - La Plata County)
The City of Durango was awarded $640,000 from the Main Street LIVE special initiative for design of street improvements in the downtown area to include Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant features, landscaping, sidewalk upgrades, light improvements, and updated pedestrian amenities to improve livability of the downtown by making it safer and more accessible.
Funds are derived from the state severance tax on energy and mineral production and from a portion of the state’s share of royalties paid to the federal government for mining and drilling of minerals and mineral fuels on federally owned land.
EIAF Cycle 24-11 applications were due on August 1, 2024 and the Department anticipates announcing final awards in November 2024. Learn more about the Energy/Mineral Impact Assistance Fund Grant (EIAF) program.
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