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 October, 15 projects wrapped up, investing $3,373,943 of Colorado Lottery proceeds in communities across the state. Keep scrolling to see if one is near you:

Basin Ranch – Agate Prairie Conservation Legacy

Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust (CCALT) acquired a conservation easement on the 3,530-acre Basin Ranch, the second of three ranches to be conserved under the Agate Prairie Conservation Legacy. The project was funded through a $2.1 million Protect Initiative grant and will protect critical short-grass prairie habitat. Prairie grasslands provide wildlife habitat, control erosion, and protect water resources. Learn more about GOCO’s Protect Initiative >>

Be Wild, JeffCo

Through a $43,439 GOCO planning grant, Jefferson County outlined a vision for Be Wild JeffCo, a coalition of 31 agencies and organizations that aims to get kids outside that is part of GOCO’s Inspire Initiative. Be Wild Jeffco hopes to connect underserved communities to outdoor recreation and education opportunities with the help of GOCO funding. Find out more about GOCO’s Inspire Initiative >>

Cache la Poudre GOCO Inspire Initiative Coalition

The City of Greeley was awarded a $75,000 GOCO grant to develop a comprehensive plan for the Cache la Poudre Inspire Initiative Coalition. The plan focuses on connecting underserved youth from the Greeley/Evans area with the outdoors by improving current outdoor centers as regional stations for families to seek information and education, allowing them to have better experiences in nature. Check out the Cache la Poudre Inspire Coalition >>

Clyde Miller P-8 School Playground Renovation

Clyde Miller P-8 School received a $100,000 GOCO School Yard Initiative grant in partnership with the City of Aurora to renovate their 35-year old play structure. Improvements include an outdoor classroom, a new swing set, a rock climbing wall, a Colorado-themed walkway, and other playground amenities. Look at the new playground >>

Eagle River Outdoor Movement Coalition

The Eagle River Outdoor Movement Coalition consists of organizations and agencies working to connect youth and families to nature across Eagle County. Through a $75,000 GOCO Inspire Initiative planning grant, a master plan for the vision was created that implements new programs, ideas, and strategies to connect youth with the outdoors by engaging the local community. Learn more about GOCO’s Inspire Initiative >>

Grand Junction Coalition – Getting Back to the River

The City of Grand Junction developed the Grand Junction Inspire Coalition through a $75,000 GOCO Inspire grant. The coalition focused on the Orchard Mesa and Riverside neighborhoods, engaging the community to develop connections to the nature that is right out their back door at Las Colonias Park and Three Rivers Park. Learn more about GOCO’s Inspire Initiative >>

Jack’s Cabin – Trampe Ranch Conservation Easement

The first of three phases in conserving the iconic Trampe Ranch in Gunnison County was completed in October. Part of a nearly $10 million GOCO grant, the largest-ever single transaction grant awarded by GOCO, the Jack’s Cabin parcel of Trampe is approximately 285 located north of Gunnison. It is a critical part of the county’s agricultural economy and contains habitat for Gunnison sage-grouse, elk, and mule deer. Watch our video about Trampe Ranch >>

Las Colonias Park Riparian Area

The City of Grand Junction, Ducks Unlimited, and the Tamarisk Coalition partnered up to restore 25 acres of habitat at Las Colonias Park with a $17,550 GOCO Youth Corps grant. A new channel was created so that vegetation and wetland forest can be established and provide for wildlife habitat. Check out GOCO’s Youth Corps grants >>

Palisade Skate Park Phase I Build

Through a $150,000 GOCO grant, the Town of Palisade has completed the first phase of building for the new Palisade Skate Park. The building provides updates for the over 20-year old skate park and allows for many more users at one time. The town was also highly engaged with the community and implemented feedback into the design process. Check out the design for the skate park >>

Peetz School Playground Project

The Town of Peetz worked with Peetz School District to invest a $191,034 GOCO grant to replace the deteriorating playground at Peetz School. The students and community were an integral part of the design process, and the playground is now available for the entire community to use during non-school hours. Find out how schools and local governments partner to receive GOCO funding >>

Poncha Pass Conservation Legacy – Fullenwider Ranch

Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust (CCALT) purchased a conservation easement on the 1,560-acre Fullenwider Ranch as part of the multi-property Poncha Pass Conservation Legacy project. A $340,500 GOCO grant helped conserve Fullenwider, which is located between the San Isabel National Forest and Rio Grande National Forest, and contains grassland providing habitat for big-game species and potential habitat for the threatened Gunnison sage-grouse. Find out what conservation easements are and how they help conservation in Colorado >>

Red Feather Lakes Community Library

With help from a $43,930 GOCO grant, Larimer County and Red Feather Lakes Community Library turned a gravel lot right next to the library into a new park. The park includes a play area, educational gardens, walkways, and comfortable seating for library goers to enjoy the outdoors. Check out our webinar on how to apply for a Local Government grant >>

Sable Farmland Acquisition

The Conservation Fund purchased a 64-acre farm and transferred the title to the City of Brighton with a $487,690 GOCO grant. The farm grows cabbage, onions, and other vegetables, and will protect the area’s rich agricultural heritage. The project also received funding from GOCO’s pilot program for storytelling efforts about land conservation. Learn more about our Open Space grant program >>

Steel Ranch Conservation Easement

The Trust for Public Land was awarded a $555,000 GOCO grant to acquire a conservation easement on the Steel family’s 186-acre ranch along Highway 285 near Buena Vista. The property contains habitat for numerous wildlife species, including bald eagle, and provides public fishing access on the Arkansas River. Find out more about TPL's work with the Steel Ranch >>

Westminster Nature Programs Planning and Pilot Project

The City of Westminster, in partnership with Growing Home and several community partners, was awarded a $70,000 GOCO Inspire grant to plan robust nature-oriented programs for children all across Westminster. The coalition’s goal is to create opportunities for children of all ages and from all walks of life to enjoy nature in their community. Check out a video on GOCO’s Inspire Initiative >>