There’s a lot of fanfare around grant awards, but what happens after the ceremonial checks are presented, the reporters have published their articles, and the interviews are over? Our grantees get down to business.

GOCO funding has built parks and trails, helped communities recover from floods and schools build new playgrounds, protected wildlife habitat and open space, and improved outdoor amenities like campgrounds and boat ramps. We’re funded completely by Colorado Lottery proceeds and have invested in more than 4,800 projects in all 64 counties. Read our annual report for more information >>

Each year, we award funding through competitive grant programs to communities across the state and to Colorado Parks & Wildlife. Grantees are typically allowed two years to complete projects. Here’s what crossed the finish line in October:

Center Park Project

GOCO awarded the Town of Center in the San Luis Valley more than $210,000 to revamp its downtown park, which formerly had only a lone pavilion and overgrown weeds. 60 percent of Center residents live within a 10-minute walk, and they no longer have to travel more than 30 miles for a high-quality park. The new park has shade structures, updated picnic areas, playground equipment, and a splash pad. Find out more about how GOCO funds local park and outdoor recreation projects >>

Gateway Park and Trailhead

A $69,000 GOCO grant was part of a $5 million effort to improve outdoor recreation access along the Cache la Poudre River corridor. Project partners are the City of Fort Collins, Larimer County, the Town of Timnath, and the City of Greeley. In Timnath, the Gateway Park project built a new playground, installed seating and a bike repair station, and improved the parking area. Learn more about how GOCO funds local park and outdoor recreation projects >>

Gunnison County Whitewater Park Repair

Gunnison County put $350,000 of GOCO funds to work repairing structural damages in several features of its whitewater park. The park was facing imminent structural failure, which would have resulted in the loss of a highly popular outdoor recreation destination as well as damaged river flow and wildlife habitat on the Gunnison River. Read more about this project >>

Hogbacks Open Space Recreation Area Project

GOCO awarded $41,000 through our mini grant program to the City of Cañon City to construct 2.2 miles of trail at Hogbacks Open Space. The project helped build new trails as well as reconstruct segments damaged by September 2013 flooding. The trailhead was also expanded and improved to accommodate increased traffic after trail work was complete. See what types of projects are funded in GOCO's mini grant program >>

Howelsen Hill Rodeo Facility

The City of Steamboat Springs received $150,000 from GOCO to update its Howelsen Hill Rodeo Facility. GOCO funding helped completely reconfigure the primary arena, return alley, and event pens that were more than 30 years old. The facility is not only home to rodeo activity and events, but also sees high use from other equestrians as well as Nordic skiers. Learn more about how GOCO funds local park and outdoor recreation projects >>

La Jara Athletic Park Plan

A good park starts with a solid plan, and the Town of La Jara invested just over $33,000 from GOCO into their planning and community outreach efforts for the La Jara Athletic Facility. The 23-acre site in the San Luis Valley is envisioned as a family-friendly recreational facility with walking paths, ballfields, a BMX track, and a veteran’s memorial. Read about other planning and local outdoor recreation grants awarded in the same grant cycle >>

Morgan Smith Native Area

The City of Brighton used a $15,000 GOCO grant to hire crews from Mile High Youth Corps (MHYC) to remove invasive species at Morgan Smith Nature Area. MHYC’s work improved wildlife habitat and public access for 19 acres of the natural area. The corps members were also given urban forest and identification educational sessions as part of the project. Learn how Colorado Youth Corps Association projects positively impact youth >>

Paonia Loop Trail Project

The Western Colorado Conservation Corps (WCCC) tripled the length of existing trails at Paonia Park with the help of a $12,600 GOCO grant to the Town of Paonia. The town partnered with the Western Slope Conservation Center to build new trails, expanding recreation and education opportunities and protecting critical wildlife habitat on the Gunnison River. Learn more about Paonia River Park >>

Rainbow Trout Ranch

Nearly half a million dollars from GOCO helped the Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust (RiGHT) to conserve the 590-acre Rainbow Trout Ranch in the San Luis Valley. The ranch has been operated as a historic guest ranch for the last 85 years. The project will not only connect to surrounding conserved land, but will also protect a mile of the Conejos River, critical wildlife habitat, and the view from Highway 17, which is a designated scenic byway. Learn more about how GOCO helps conserve land across the state >>