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Adams County awards $16.17 million in open-space sales-tax grants to 27 projects
Summary
The Adams County Board of County Commissioners approved a resolution to distribute $16,169,666.78 from the county's open-space sales tax to 27 projects across the county, including park renovations, trail improvements, a new park in Brighton and a Korean War memorial in Aurora.
The Adams County Board of County Commissioners approved a resolution on Aug. 12 to award $16,169,666.78 from the county's open-space sales tax to 27 projects across the county.
The funding will support renovations and improvements to existing parks, a new community park in Brighton, trail extensions and a Korean War memorial at General's Park in Aurora, county staff said during the meeting. The Open Space Advisory Board reviewed 27 applications and recommended funding for all 27 projects; the board approved the resolution by a 5-0 voice vote.
Adams County Chair Commissioner Baca and parks staff noted the funds derive from a voter-approved dedicated sales tax that has been renewed several times, most recently in 2020. The county presented awards at the dais so project representatives could accept certificates and participate in a group photo.
Examples of awards announced at the meeting include three Westminster grants: $1,400,000 for the Municipal Court Park project, $1,500,000 for Bishop Square Park improvements and a $20,845 mini grant for open-space equipment electrification. Thornton received funding including more than $700,000 for the Big Dry Creek trailhead design and underpass construction, over $800,000 for Wise Water at Brandon Place Park, and a $25,000 grant for a drone pilot program.
Other named awards include $2,323,581.40 to the Town of Bennett for the Kiowa Creek Trail and multimodal improvements; a $635,000 grant for a Korean War memorial at Aurora's General Park; two Sand Creek Regional Greenway Partnership grants totaling $498,877.05 for environmental education and a wetland-park destination; and multiple grants to Highland Hills Parks and Rec District totaling about $1,775,000 for park plan implementation and pool improvements plus a $25,000 mini grant for pickleball court design. Commerce City, Northglenn/Northland, Brighton, Bennett Parks and Rec District, and Adams County received additional awards ranging from mini grants ($5,750) to multi-million-dollar allocations ($3,000,000). Adams County also accepted grants for Riverdale Regional Park: $231,000 for maintenance enhancements and $210,000 for trail improvements.
The board acknowledged the volunteer work of the Open Space Advisory Board members: Mark Humbert, Mark Stickle, Mark Voland, Rolando Mogoza, Jason McEldowney and George Mazzotti. Staff said the Riverdale wayfinding signage and other projects will be coordinated with construction timelines so signage and park improvements align on completion.
The board approved the resolution by voice vote, 5 to 0. Commissioners then invited award recipients to come forward for certificates and photographs.
The county did not adopt additional conditions or funding shifts during the presentation; staff said individual projects will move forward under the terms of the open-space grant program and applicable project agreements.
