GOCO Grant Programs

Many communities are working to preserve their character in the face of growth, while at the same time anticipating future outdoor needs. GOCO grants help these communities produce plans to protect and enhance open space, wildlife habitat and parks –features that give towns their identity. Planning grants lead to high quality projects with a greater chance of long-term success. Local governments, land trusts, the Colorado Division of Wildlife and Colorado State Parks can apply for planning grants which are offered twice yearly with applications typically being available in December and June.

Registered User? Click here to apply for a Planning Grant from GOCO.

Survey and Assessment of Critical Biological Resources in Rio Blanco County -- Rio Blanco County, in partnership with the Colorado Natural Heritage Program, is using a GOCO grant to conduct a survey of critical biological resources in the county. The project will study natural resources, open space, wildlife habitat and ecosystems in an attempt to identify sites as tangible conservation projects that will achieve on-the-ground protection of the County's highest priority natural areas.

La Veta Comprehensive Plan for Parks, Open Space and Trails/Huerfano County -- The Town of La Veta created a comprehensive plan to address parks, open space and trails needs in and around the community. The plan has helped the town protect land for its citizens' parks, trails, and open space needs, and has enabled La Veta to create an inventory of town properties, gather baseline documentation for each property, create a community-friendly process for public input, and produce a comprehensive plan to inform future decision making and fundraising. The plan was designed so that it can be easily updated and serve the town's needs far into the future.

Northern San Juan Initiative/Ouray, San Miguel and Montrose counties -- Black Canyon Regional Land Trust, partnering with the Colorado Conservation Trust, The Nature Conservancy and the Trust for Land Restoration, is using GOCO funds to establish a working partnership to define and prioritize key land parcels for preservation in the historic ranching heritage and scenic view sheds along the San Juan Skyway. The planning will focus on historic ranches and important wildlife habitats in Ouray, western Montrose and eastern San Miguel counties. Rising land values and development pressures make this conservation planning effort timely, and will result in research and mapping along with public workshops to inform landowners and potential donors about land protection options and conservation tools for the region.