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 is funded completely by Colorado Lottery proceeds and has invested in more than 4,900 projects in all 64 counties to build parks and trails, protect wildlife, conserve land, and improve outdoor amenities like campgrounds and athletic fields. Read our annual report for more information >>

Each year, we award funding through competitive grant programs to local governments and land trusts. GOCO also invests half of its funding in Colorado Parks & Wildlife.

Grantees are typically allowed about two years to complete and close out projects. In June, 13 projects wrapped up, investing roughly $3.8 million of Colorado Lottery proceeds in communities across the state. Keep scrolling to see if one is near you:

Washburn Ranch

Montezuma Land Conservancy acquired a 1,361-acre conservation easement encumbering the Washburn Ranch in northwestern Dolores County through Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) funding and a $130,804 GOCO grant. The conservation project will ensure the protection of habitat for grouse, elk, mule deer, and black bear.  Learn how private conservation benefits the public >>

Cerise Park Open Space Invasive Weed Management

With a $13,800 GOCO Youth Corps grant, the City of Montrose employed young adults from Western Colorado Conservation Corps to make several improvements to Cerise Park. Work included removing, Russian olive that uses 70 gallons of water per day, tamarisk, thistle, and white top, as well as planting native species and reseeding native grasses on land surrounding the nine miles of new trails in the park. The work also included formalizing this trail network with bench-cutting and water bars. Learn more about GOCO’s Youth Corps program >>

Dillon Valley Elementary Play Yard Construction

GOCO invested $106,209 in Eastern Rio Blanco Metro Recreation and Park District to construct a play yard at Dillon Valley Elementary School in Summit County. The play yard addresses serious drainage issues with an innovative bio-swale design, and offers updated play equipment, an outdoor classroom that incorporates natural elements, and improved safety. The playground will provide a much-needed green space for the Dillon Valley neighborhood, an underserved area which currently lacks park or recreation amenities. Learn more about GOCO’s School Yard Initiative >>

Lake County GOCO Inspire Initiative

Get Outdoors Leadville!, the Inspire Initiative coalition in Lake County, began to put its $3 million vision for the Leadville area into practice to help get more kids outside. The first $100,000 of the $3 million project went toward community engagement and planning, including hiring bilingual coordinators and community organizers, leading family interpretive hikes, outdoor education learning expeditions for kids, and many other ways to connect the youth with the outdoors. Learn more about GOCO’s Inspire Initiative >>

Meeker School District Stadium Renewal Phase I

The Eastern Rio Blanco Metro Recreation and Park District replaced a thirty-year-old track at Meeker High School with a $350,000 GOCO grant. Meeker located in northeastern Colorado, with the nearest rubberized track being 50 miles away.  Funds were used to add a new eight lane synthetic track, curbing and drainage system, and a long jump area. The football field was also leveled and resurfaced to ensure the track's drainage system's effectiveness. Watch this webinar on how to apply for a Local Government Grant >>

Parsons Brown Ranch - Acquire High Priority Habitat

With a $2.2 million GOCO grant, Colorado Parks and Wildlife purchased a conservation easement on the Parsons Brown Ranch, located in Grand County. The property consists of two ranches, totaling more than 2,773 acres of important greater sage-grouse habitat, over 5.9 miles of stream and associated river habitat sustaining populations of four State Species of Concern, and suitable habitat for the federally threatened Canada lynx. Find out more about GOCO’s land conservation work >>

Red Crane Park Playground

The Red Crane Park Project replaced a 37-year-old playground in the City of La Junta with help from a $23,275 GOCO grant. The old playground was deteriorating and most of the equipment was removed due to safety hazards. Improvements included climbing structures, slides, bridges, monkey bars and a covered shade area for children between five and 12 years old. Learn how to apply for a GOCO School Yard Initiative grant >>

South Arkansas River Restoration Project

Central Colorado Conservancy (fka Land Trust of the Upper Arkansas), in collaboration with the Collegiate Peaks Anglers Chapter of Trout Unlimited, restored one-quarter mile of the South Arkansas River in Poncha Springs with a $9,900 GOCO grant. The channel and habitat for many fish have been degraded over the years, and the project stabilized eroding streambanks, restored the water to a more natural state, and improved fish habitat. Learn about GOCO funded river projects across the state >>

Supporting the Future of Salida

The City of Salida utilized a $37,016 GOCO Youth Corps grant to continue work with the Salida Trail Ecological Restoration Project and the Salida School Garden. The project employed crews from Southwest Conservation Corps-Los Valles to remove invasive species, reseed native grasses, plant native shrubs and trees, remove dead weeds for fire prevention, and restore riparian areas. The project is an important component of the city and both sites are popular with residents as they provide a connection to nature and agriculture. Get involved with Mile High Youth Corps >>

Tom Bennhoff Lake Trail

The Town of Georgetown invested a $338,132 GOCO grant to complete Tom Bennhoff Lake Trail surrounding Georgetown Lake that supports residents of all ages and abilities. Improvements include a pedestrian bridge, gravel path, and two picnic areas. Construction of this trail greatly reduces degradation and erosion around the lake while providing access to all users. Learn about the benefits of Colorado’s trails >>

Westgate Community School Play Yard

Through funding from a $114,000 GOCO grant, Westgate Community School and Adams County created a much-needed play space where previously no playground amenities existed. Improvements impacted approximately 4 acres and created an eco-play zone, climbing structures, three play areas, a ¼ mile walking trail, an outdoor classroom and greenhouse. The school yard is easily accessible to the community providing play area to students and other town children and residents. Learn more about GOCO’s School Yard Initiative >>

Westgate Playground Improvement Project

Westgate Park and Elementary School, in partnership with City of Lakewood, invested a $114,000 GOCO grant to refurbish and expand school’s outdoor play area, last updated in 1998 and in dire need of an upgrade. Students led the design process and presented their proposed components to city council and local businesses. The new playground features include new playground structures with climbing features, an outdoor classroom and shade shelter and new asphalt games. Learn how schools and local governments work together on a School Yard Initiative grant >>

Wilson Creek Ranch Conservation Easement

Palmer Land Trust expanded an existing conservation easement on the Wilson Creek Ranch by 1,135 acres with help from a $300,000 GOCO grant. The project created a 2,212-acre protected area in Teller and Fremont counties along Shelf Road. Forty percent of the property is visible from a four-mile stretch of the Gold Belt Tour National Scenic Byway. The easement permanently protects that scenic viewshed and allows continued cattle ranching, in addition to the keeping the land in agricultural production and conserving wildlife habitat and four stretches of river.  Learn about GOCO’s Transaction Costs Grant for conservation easements >>