Lake County board votes to submit Great Outdoors Colorado grant application to fund youth and recreation programs

The Lake County Board of County Commissioners on June 5 adopted a resolution authorizing staff to submit a Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) grant application. The county is eligible as a local government and would serve as fiscal sponsor for a coalition‑based proposal supporting recreation, childcare for out‑of‑school programming, youth employment pathways and a continuation of existing community programs.

Staff described the county’s previous GOCO award in 2015 — the largest then awarded to a coalition in the state — and said the current application could request up to $1.5 million for the 2026–2030 funding period, with an expected distribution of $300,000 annually for spending if awarded. The county plans to partner with Cloud City Conservation Center (C4) to provide in‑school environmental education and to support Rocky’s Rock and other youth programs.

The grant committee asked staff to confirm that funds could be used department‑wide in the parks, recreation and open space (PROS) reorganization; staff assured commissioners that GOCO approved coalition names and that funds could support programs across the department. Legal and the grant committee reviewed the proposal and recommended moving forward.

The resolution authorizes submission; staff will meet with the GOCO board in mid‑July to early August and expects award notifications in September. If awarded, the county would accept GOCO funds and transfer funding to partner nonprofit(s) to implement coalition activities under county fiscal sponsorship.