There’s a lot of fanfare around grant awards, but what happens after the ceremonial checks are presented and the reporters have published their articles? Our partners get down to business.
For 26 years, GOCO has improved Colorado’s great outdoors with the help of Colorado Lottery proceeds. We’ve put more than $1.2 billion in proceeds back into 5,200 projects to improve the lives of Coloradans across the state.
After projects are awarded funding, grant recipients have about two years to make their projects happen. In March, five projects closed, representing just over $517,000 in GOCO investments into local communities across the state. Scroll to see if one’s near you:
Big Dry Creek Recreation and Restoration Master Plan
$75,000 to the City of Thornton
The Big Dry Creek corridor is an important natural resource for east-west wildlife movement and regional trail connectivity in Thornton, Colo. The City of Thornton, in partnership with Adams County, used its GOCO grant to create a master plan that identified and evaluated future development in the area while considering the preservation, habitat restoration, and recreational use of the corridor. The plan aims to balance recreation and infrastructure improvement with restoration and long term environmental health.
Read more about the planning initiative and project scope here
Columbine Middle School Yard
$110,000 grant to the City of Montrose
In partnership with the City of Montrose, Columbine Middle School received GOCO funds to build a nature-based play yard where students can actively connect with the outdoors. Based on a student-led design process, the school yard includes a weather station, climbing boulder, obstacle course, gaga ball court, and swings.
Check out this video of Columbine's new play yard
Glenwood Springs Elementary Play and Outdoor Learning Space
$147,177 grant to the City of Glenwood Springs
Glenwood Springs Elementary School and the City of Glenwood Springs have partnered to revitalize the school’s outdoor learning and play space. GOCO funds were used to install new play equipment and create an outdoor learning space that will be open to the community. Close to 100 students were involved in the planning process, presenting their ideas to the Roaring Fork School’s executive team and board members.
See more projects awarded in Garfield County
McNamara Park
$15,000 grant to the Town of Walden
The Town of Walden received a GOCO planning grant to plan upgrades to the one-acre, centrally located McNamara Park. The town’s vision for the park was to develop a design that makes it safe, attractive, and usable by residents of all ages and abilities. The planning grant helped the town prepare a site-specific master plan and cost estimates for future upgrades.
Learn more about GOCO’s planning grant
Norwood Town Park Expansion and Improvement
$170,073 grant to the Town of Norwood
The Town of Norwood used GOCO funds to make improvements and additions to Norwood Town Park. Additions include two regulation pickleball courts and a 1,000-square-foot splash pad. The updated park will provide local players and the community with a space to practice and host tournaments, in addition to providing a fun water play area for kids.