The GOCO board is requesting concept papers for innovative water projects that focus on the protection and enhancement of natural areas. The board will use stakeholder feedback provided in the concept papers to consider potential modifications to current GOCO programs. 

Please contact Josh Tenneson at 303.226.4522 or jtenneson@goco.org with any questions about this concept paper request. GOCO prefers to receive concept papers electronically at jtenneson@goco.org; please put “Water Project” in the subject line. Concept papers are due at GOCO by 5:00 p.m., Aug. 30, 2013.

Concept Paper Content Request

The concept paper narrative should be no more than THREE pages. Please provide answers in narrative form, reserving the use of lists and bullet points for emphasis and clarity. You may submit a map or other attachments to provide additional context for your project. 

Briefly describe the project’s overall vision and how it enhances the region or state’s ability to manage scarce water resources while also protecting open space or natural areas.

How is the project consistent with one or more of the four purposes GOCO was created to advance?  (See Relevant GOCO Amendment Provisions below)

Do you believe your project fits within GOCO’s current competitive grant cycle (Open Space or Local Government) eligibility requirements? If not, what elements of your project do not fit and why? (See GOCO’s Open Space Application Instructions and the LPOR Application for current eligible projects and costs.)

Briefly describe what changes you believe GOCO would need to make in order for your project to be eligible under the Open Space or Local Government grant programs? (i.e., should GOCO consider certain project funds as match that currently do not count?) 

Discuss the status and timing of each project element. Include those elements that cannot be completed within an 18-month grant period and how their completion might be advanced through the grant.

Relevant GOCO Amendment Provisions

Article 27 of the Colorado Constitution (the “GOCO Amendment”) was broadly written and therefore does not spell out the types of water-related projects GOCO could participate in under each of its four purposes: Open Space, Local Government, State Parks and Wildlife. The following excerpts from the GOCO Amendment should provide the basis for answering question 2 of the concept paper request.  

Open Space Purpose – The GOCO Amendment dictates that approximately one-quarter of funds be awarded through a competitive grant process to non-profit land conservation organizations and political subdivisions of the State “to identify, acquire and manage unique open space and natural areas of statewide significance through grants…which will encourage cooperative investments by other public and private entities for these purposes.”

Local Government Purpose – The GOCO Amendment states that approximately one-quarter of funds be awarded through a competitive grant process to local governments “to match local investments to acquire, develop and manage open space, parks, and environmental education facilities, and which will encourage cooperative investments by other public or private entities for these purposes.”

The GOCO Board makes Parks and Wildlife purpose investments through CPW, and projects derived from these purposes must be developed and approved in consultation with CPW.  Investments through these purposes are not direct competitive grant programs run by GOCO.

Parks Purpose – The GOCO Amendment is explicit about providing funds for water projects under the Parks purpose.  GOCO can invest in State Parks (now Colorado Parks and Wildlife) to “[p]rovide water for recreational purposes through the acquisition of water rights or through agreements with holders of water rights, all in accord with applicable state water law.” 

Wildlife Purpose – The Wildlife language of the GOCO Amendment gives GOCO authority to make investments in the Division of Wildlife (now Colorado Parks and Wildlife) that, among other things, “[p]rovide appropriate programs for maintaining Colorado’s diverse wildlife heritage; [or] [p]rotect crucial wildlife habitats through the acquisition of lands, leases or easements and restore critical areas.”