There’s a lot of fanfare around grant awards, but what happens after ceremonial checks are presented, 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 4,900 projects in all 64 counties. Read our annual report for more information >>

Each year, we award funding through competitive grant programs and Colorado Parks and Wildlife's investment proposal. Grantees are allowed about two years to complete projects. In February, GOCO grantees closed out $1.1 million worth of work. Keep scrolling to see what crossed the finish line:

Eagle Information Center Boat Ramp and Eddy Safety Improvements

The Town of Eagle invested a $41,015 GOCO grant to create an eddy allowing boaters to safely access the new concrete boat ramp at the town information center. The project greatly improved river safety by creating an easy exit before Class IV rapids downriver. Find out more about how GOCO funds local outdoor recreation projects >>

High Line Canal and Triple Creek Connections

GOCO awarded the City of Aurora a $750,000 Paths to Parks trail grant to address a long-standing gap between the High Line Canal, Sand Creek, and Triple Creek trails. The project completed just over three miles of trail, connecting seven recreational facilities and creating new access to parks and open space for 3,500 kids in nearby low-income neighborhoods. Look at our latest special initiative to fill trail gaps in Colorado communities >>

Home Ranch - Trampe Ranch Conservation Easement

Trampe Ranch in Gunnison County has some of Colorado’s most iconic scenery in addition to contributing about 20% of the county’s agricultural production. The Nature Conservancy and the Trust for Public Land partnered with Gunnison Ranchland Conservation Legacy to permanently conserve the working ranch, receiving the largest-ever single transaction GOCO grant at $10 million as part of our Protect Initiative. The real estate transaction for the home ranch conservation easement is the first of three parcels to close. Watch a video about Trampe Ranch >>

Pinewood Reservoir Environmental Education Project

Larimer County put a $33,908 GOCO grant to work hiring young adults from Colorado Youth Corps Association (CYCA) to add new amenities to popular Pinewood Reservoir. CYCA crews constructed an osprey viewing station, installed information signs, and built the county’s first-ever natural playscape, a critical way to connect kids to nature. Learn how Colorado Youth Corps Association projects positively impact youth in our state >>

Rio Grande River Valley Restoration 2016

GOCO awarded a $12,600 Youth Corps grant to Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust to complete its wetland restoration project in the San Luis Valley. The project employed crews of young adults from Southwest Conservation Corps - Los Valles and created 40 acres of wildlife habitat for the endangered Southwestern Willow Flycatcher.  Find out more about GOCO’s latest habitat restoration grants >>

Russian Olive Removal at Bear Creek Greenbelt

The City of Lakewood invested $75,000 from GOCO to remove invasive Russian olive trees at Bear Creek Greenbelt, a 350-acre park. The project continued a multi-year effort to eradicate Russian olive, a water-hungry tree species that can consume up to 75 gallons of water a day per tree. Young adults from Mile High Youth Corps crews removed approximately 10 acres of the trees along Bear Creek. See how GOCO partners with CYCA to employ young adults on critical restoration projects >>

Stratton Town Park Improvement Project

A $130,000 GOCO grant helped the eastern Colorado Town of Stratton rebuild its community park. The old playground was so unsafe parents were driving to a different town to find a place for their kids to play. GOCO funding installed new playground equipment and made the playground ADA-accessible. The project was buoyed by impressive local fundraising; the Friends of Stratton Playground raised over $5,000 in a town of less than 700 people. Watch a video of the playground’s opening day >>