County staff update co-responder program grant work, childcare-housing funding options and solar study

County staff provided a multi-item update on May 19 covering the co-responder program application, BHA grant timing, childcare workforce housing financing and a solar project system impact study.

Staff said they presented the co-responder grant application to the Department of Criminal Justice and were hopeful it fared well during a 15-minute review. “We requested the co responder augmented cruiser, which is an unmarked vehicle specifically and only for the program,” staff member Melina said, adding that the vehicle model reduces stigma while maintaining safety and that Adventure Data Consulting is developing an app to track calls and outcomes.

Melina also said the county is exploring the Colorado Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy program (CPACE) as a possible funding mechanism to close gaps on a childcare workforce housing project. She described CPACE as traditionally used by developers but noted a governmental sector option exists.

On solar, staff said they will review a system-impact study with YVEA later in the week and were in a holding pattern pending that result. On other grants, staff described work on a Safe Crossing/Move US 40 grant with letters of support incoming, and completion of an MMOF grant application with a 50% match request included; staff said MMOF administrators may reduce the match later if the project moves forward.

Staff also discussed broader state funding criteria: the Colorado Energy Office funds discussed during a joint call favor projects tied to new formal policies, which may limit eligibility for some ongoing local climate work that lacks an explicit policy. Staff said they would continue pursuing options where feasible.

Commissioners acknowledged the grant work and asked staff to return with additional information as applications and studies progress.