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 over 30 years, GOCO has improved Colorado’s great outdoors with the help of Colorado Lottery proceeds. To date, we’ve invested more than $1.4 billion in 5,700 projects to improve the lives of Coloradans across the state.
After projects are awarded funding, grant recipients usually have about two years to make their projects happen.
In recent months, 9 projects wrapped up, representing $3,691,524 in GOCO investments in local communities across the state. Scroll to see if one’s near you:
Arkansas River Community Preserve - Phase 4 Acquisitions - Ferguson
$187,403 grant to Central Colorado Conservancy
A Land Acquisition grant helped Central Colorado Conservancy partner with Colorado Open Lands and Lake County to expand the Arkansas River Community (ARC) Preserve (pictured above). The partners acquired just over 72 acres, increasing the Preserve's total area to nearly 345 acres. This expansion protects a critical migration corridor for bighorn sheep, elk, deer, and other wildlife. The ARC Preserve now connects to several other public lands, enhancing recreational opportunities and supporting wildlife movement.
Learn more about the project
Colorado CORE (Community Outreach with Resident Experts): Youth Voices
$400,000 grant to Trust for Public Land
With a Resilient Communities grant, Trust for Public Land (TPL) launched its Community Outreach with Resident Experts (CORE) program. TPL collaborated with local city governments and nonprofit partners to improve nature access in Denver and El Paso counties. The partners conducted outreach in Denver's west and northeast neighborhoods and the southeast Colorado Springs community, helping residents envision and create outdoor spaces tailored to their needs.
The two-year program promoted youth leadership by employing young people in each community through partnerships with Groundwork Denver, Environmental Learning for Kids, and RISE Southeast. These youth analyzed park and trail needs and addressed funding gaps caused by the pandemic.
Learn more about the Trust for Public Land
Creating Sustainable Recreation Opportunities Across Colorado's Iconic 14ers
$146,356 grant to the National Forest Foundation
The National Forest Foundation and Chaffee County used Centennial Program Visioning funding to convene over 20 outdoor recreation organizations, sovereign tribal nations, and local communities. Together, they developed a shared vision for sustainable recreation across Colorado's 14ers. The group identified a scalable approach to achieve trail sustainability, resource protection, and outdoor recreation goals, along with an investment plan for future funding. They produced a report, informed by meetings and a statewide survey, which outlined agreed-upon standards for the 14ers and highlighted demonstration projects now underway. This initiative also considered equitable access, visitor needs, and the cultural or tribal significance of these sites.
Core team partners included the National Forest Foundation, Chaffee County, Envision Chaffee County, Colorado Fourteeners Initiative, and the Civic Canopy.
Learn more about the project
High Line Canal Trail Completion, Access, and Activation in Denver and Aurora
$145,750 grant to High Line Canal Conservancy
With Centennial Program Visioning funding, The High Line Canal Conservancy partnered with the City and County of Denver and the City of Aurora to improve access to the High Line Canal Trail. They engaged residents in 15 neighborhoods across both cities to design trail improvements and other upgrades. The Conservancy plans to plant trees, install signage, create gathering areas, add fitness stations, build shade structures, develop nature play areas, and introduce other amenities. This project aims to close trail gaps, create essential access points, improve environmental health, and enhance the quality of life for nearby residents and trail users.
Learn more about the High Line Canal Conservancy
Huck Finn Bike Park
$152,512 grant to Lake County
Lake County and Cloud City Wheelers used a Community Impact grant to renovate Huck Finn Park in Leadville, enhancing recreational access and community vitality. They built the world's highest paved pump track at 10,000 feet in elevation, which is now open to the public. The park features progressive skill features, jumps, and shaded seating structures for group gatherings. The pump track accommodates a wide range of wheeled sports and users of all skill levels, reducing conflicts, improving safety, and addressing maintenance concerns.
Learn more about Huck Finn Bike Park
Kendall Mountain Recreation Area Master Plan - Spring 2019 Application
$36,103 grant to the Town of Silverton
The Town of Silverton used a Planning and Capacity grant to continue design plans for developing a riverwalk and completing the Perimeter Trail at Kendall Mountain Recreation Area. They plan to fully connect existing segments of the Perimeter Trail to form a loop around town, providing access to several trail networks throughout the county. The town will also construct an ADA-accessible riverwalk to connect Kendall Mountain Recreation Area to the town's perimeter trail. Silverton identified both projects as top community priorities, aiming to enhance outdoor recreation opportunities for residents and visitors while supporting the local economy.
Learn more about the Town of Silverton’s Trails Plan
Prairie Ridge Addition Land Acquisition
$1,100,000 grant to the City of Loveland
With help from a Land Acquisition grant, the City of Loveland partnered with the City of Fort Collins and Larimer County to permanently protect 140 acres of open space and hiking trails in northwest Loveland. They expanded the existing 785-acre Prairie Ridge Natural Area, completing a 25-year effort to establish a 3,500-acre buffer between Loveland and Fort Collins. This new addition filled a significant gap in the regional non-motorized trail corridor. It created a protective barrier against development, preserved agricultural and ecological resources, and expanded opportunities for future shortgrass prairie and wetland restoration.
Read a local press release about the project
Reed Park Revitalization
$600,000 grant to City of Fruita
The City of Fruita used a Community Impact grant to renovate Reed Park, addressing outdated amenities that had not been upgraded since the park's creation. Located in the heart of Fruita, the park serves as a hub for community events and provides essential green space for surrounding neighborhoods. The city added a multi-use sports court, a new pavilion with shelter rentals, new restroom facilities, ADA-accessible playground equipment, a new 11,000-square foot skate park, and an upgraded multi-use lawn. Extensive community input guided this project, which reduces barriers to outdoor recreation, enhances community vitality, and provides a new regional amenity for residents, visitors, and sports leagues.
Read a local press release about the project
Town of Haxtun Pool Renovation
$923,400 grant to Town of Haxtun
The Town of Haxtun used a Community Impact grant to renovate its public pool, a central gathering space supporting multi-generational programming and school athletics. The town resolved critical safety, compliance, and maintenance issues that would have prevented the pool's use. They added lap lanes, a toddler slide, new lighting, and zero-entry access to the renovated pool, better accommodating people with disabilities and young children. This project builds on 20 years of community and youth-led efforts to support upgrades to the facility.Read a local press release about the project