Committee approves $4 million grant program to help local governments and districts revamp schoolyards

Representatives Taggart and Bacon told the House Education Committee that House Bill 10 61 would fund community schoolyard planning and construction so more Colorado students and neighborhoods have safe, usable outdoor spaces.

Nut graf: The bill creates two grant streams — planning and capital construction — administered by the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA). Grant awards are limited to a maximum of $150,000 for planning and $850,000 for capital construction and include requirements such as a community use agreement to guarantee public access after school hours. Sponsors said the program will be funded with cash from the severance tax fund and the mineral and energy impact fund, and the bill includes reporting and design standards.

What the program would do: HB10 61 establishes a pool of $2,000,000 in FY 2025–26 and $2,000,000 in FY 2026–27, to be distributed at DOLA’s discretion from the severance tax fund and/or the mineral and energy impact fund. Eligible applicants are local governments partnering with school districts; awards must include a community use agreement and explain maintenance plans and community partnerships. Sponsors emphasized the program is voluntary for districts and intended to encourage rural and urban partnerships.

Public testimony and concerns: Dozens of organizations and community members testified. Supporters — including the Trust for Public Land, Green Latinos, architects and pediatricians — cited health, equity and educational benefits; Trust for Public Land presented research that 60% of Colorado schoolyards have high or very high needs. DOLA and Colorado Counties Inc testified with reservations about the fiscal mechanics: DOLA asked that funding be spread over two years and noted that the severance tax and energy impact grants are volatile; CCI originally opposed elements of the introduced bill but the sponsors worked to address county concerns by routing the program through DOLA and clarifying eligible applicants.

Amendments and fiscal detail: Sponsors offered three amendments (L001, L002 and L004) to route the grant program through DOLA, require local government–district partnerships, allow in-kind contributions to count toward matching, add capacity supports for small/rural applicants, and clarify that DOLA can decide the mix of funds from the severance and mineral and energy impact accounts. Sponsors and DOLA referenced fund balances presented during JBC figure setting: severance fund balances were described by sponsors as roughly $144.5 million at year end after grant cycles, and the mineral and energy impact fund at about $21.3 million; DOLA noted revenue volatility and supported the amendment spreading awards over two years.

Outcome and next steps: After adopting the amendments, the committee voted unanimously to send House Bill 10 61, as amended, to the Appropriations Committee. The bill requires a report to the House Education Committee (mentioned in testimony) due in January 2028.

Implementation notes: The program requires DOLA to adopt application materials that include community use agreements, maintenance plans and documentation of partnerships; sponsors said DOLA will administer awards and can mix funding sources. Sponsors encouraged private and in‑kind contributions to stretch grant dollars.