Financial Assistance
Immigration Status Reporting Requirements (SB-06-90)
Community Development Block Grants (description)
Community Services Block Grants (description)
Conservation Trust Fund (description)
Direct Distribution (description)
Disaster Relief
Downtown Development Program
Energy and Mineral Impact
Gaming Impact
Heritage Grants / Smart Growth
Housing (description)
New Energy Communities Initiative (description)
Search and Rescue (description)
Volunteer Firefighter Pension
Waste Tire Recycling (description)
Federal Grant Opportunities (description)
Community Development Block Grants
The "Small Cities" Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program provides grants and loans for housing, public facilities and business assistance projects that primarily benefit low/moderate income persons or eliminate slums or blight. Eligible recipients are all municipalities and counties except those larger jurisdictions that receive CDBG funding on an "entitlement" basis directly from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Community Services Block Grants
The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program provides counties and Indian Tribes with formula-based block grants to alleviate poverty in communities. Grantees receiving funds under CSBG are required to provide services and activities that address a) employment; b) education; c) better use of available income; d) self-sufficiency; e) housing; f) nutrition; and g) emergency services and/or activities to meet needs of low-income families and individuals.
Conservation Trust Fund
The department distributes Conservation Trust Fund monies from net Lottery proceeds to over 400 eligible local governments: counties, cities, towns and eligible special districts that provide park and recreation services in their service plans. Funding can be used for interests in land and water, park or recreation purposes, for all types of open space, including but not limited to flood plains, green belts, agricultural lands or scenic areas, for any scientific, historic, scenic, recreation, aesthetic or similar purpose (CRS 29-21-101).
Direct Distribution
The Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) distributes revenue derived from energy and mineral extraction statewide. These revenues come from State Severance Tax receipts and Federal Mineral Lease non-bonus payments.
Housing
The department's Division of Housing disburses federal and state funds for various housing and shelter programs on a competitive application basis.
Assistance is offered to local communities for new housing and rehabilitation of existing housing from federal and state funds for direct loans; loan guarantees; equity investments; grants; and subordinated debt for construction or permanent financing. Short-term loans are available to local governments, non profits and housing authorities from the Home Investment Trust Fund. These loans can be useful for acquisition, construction and bridge financing. Types of housing can include multi-family apartments, single family houses, homeless shelters and manufactured housing.
Rental assistance is offered to low-income families through local community agencies in about 30 Colorado counties. Where rental assistance is available, the division acts as a housing authority offering rental assistance.
Colorado's Private Activity Bond allocation program is administered by the division. The bond proceeds can be used for industrial development, single family mortgages, multi-family rental housing, student loans, solid waste disposal and water treatment. Approximately $28 million is available annually from the statewide balance.
New Energy Communities Initiative
"The New Energy Communities Initiative" will reward local governments working collaboratively to position their communities at the forefront of the state's New Energy Economy. The program will direct up to $10 million in Energy Impact Assistance funds to at least five pilot regions (maximum of $2 million per region) striving to create integrated, vibrant and sustainable communities. By bundling existing GEO energy efficiency and conservation programs and offering them in a packaged format with DOLA financial and technical assistance programs, the initiative creates a comprehensive strategy for promoting local sustainable community development efforts.
Search and Rescue
The state Search and Rescue fund reimburses county sheriffs for eligible costs associated with local search and rescue efforts. It also is a source of grant financing for search and rescue equipment and training. Policy guidance for administration of the fund is provided by the state search and rescue advisory committee.
Waste Tire Recycling
The department provides funding for the clean-up of illegally disposed waste tires and incentives to local governments and the private sector to re-use or recycle waste tires.
Federal Grant Opportunities (external link)
Grants.gov is a single, authoritative source for information on, and the ability to apply for, all federal grant opportunities - all 26 federal grant-making agencies, and more than 900 grant programs. Grants.gov enables grant-making agencies and the grant community to come together to make grants management easier and more efficient for everyone. Grant applications are easy to download and simple to submit.