The Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office (OREC) of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) and the state’s Governor Jared Polis announced the first 10 recipients of the Colorado State Outdoor Recreation grant.
The grants promote economic development in Colorado’s outdoor recreation sector and have been awarded to organizations statewide from Alamosa to Cortez and Colorado Springs to Grand Junction.
“We are saving people money, supporting our thriving outdoor recreation industry, and strengthening our strong economy while making sure more Coloradans can have fun in our world-class outdoors,” Polis said. “These exciting grants are part of our work building a Colorado for all and making sure Colorado remains the best place to live, work, and enjoy the outdoors.”
OREC staff conducted a summer listening tour throughout the state to raise awareness about the funding opportunity.
“The outdoor recreation industry is central to Colorado’s identity and economy. The recipients of the State Outdoor Recreation Grant truly reflect the best the industry has to offer, and we’re proud to provide financial support to programs and organizations that improve backcountry safety, connect marginalized groups to the outdoors, and plan for the future by balancing economic vitality with resource protection,” said OREC Director Conor Hall.
“The State Outdoor Recreation Grant demonstrates how thoroughly the outdoor recreation industry touches all four corners of the state. These grants will support organizations and projects that are growing the industry and will contribute to a healthy Colorado economy that works for everyone,” added Patrick Meyers, OEDIT’s Executive Director.
The Colorado State Outdoor Recreation Grant is the first grant program offered by OREC and was made possible by funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) State Tourism Grant.
“Across the state, our office has heard from community leaders and outdoor recreation stakeholders about the challenges that face the industry today, not least of which are affordable housing and climate change. The massive demand for this funding is a testament to the robust industry of outdoor recreation in Colorado and the need to support its development. We are so proud to provide this funding to help build a Colorado where generations to come can work and play in the outdoors,” said OREC Program Manager Matt Nuñez.
Between June and September, the OREC team completed 13 trips to 26 counties and met or reached 400 people through 12 listening sessions as well as individual meetings and site visits. These visits offered insights into the need for funding that exists across Colorado’s outdoor recreation industry and the creative uses its partners foresee for grant opportunities.
The grant program was launched on June 1, and 25 applications were received by the first deadline of June 30, representing 15 counties throughout Colorado and requesting a total of $5,8 million. A total of $3.9 million will be distributed through the Colorado State Outdoor Recreation Grant, with applications reviewed on a quarterly basis. The review process is underway for the September 30, deadline and the next deadline for applications is December 31.
The ten organizations receiving grants are:
- Adaptive Adventures– Westminster – $57,588
- American Institute for Avalanche Research & Education– Telluride – $90,000
- Aspen International Mountain Foundation– Aspen – $25,000
- Colorado Outward Bound School– Denver – $100,000
- Girl Scouts of Colorado– Denver – $100,000
- The Live by Living Foundation– Lakewood – $47,000
- Mesa County Public Health– Grand Junction – $74,666
- Montezuma County– Cortez, Colorado/Montezuma County – $98,759
- San Luis Valley Great Outdoors– Alamosa – $100,000
- Rocky Mountain Field Institute– Colorado Springs – $75,000
Learn more at oedit.colorado.gov.
