El Paso County commissioners approve 2026 CDBG action plan, recommend roughly $985,000 for 15 projects

Lede: The El Paso County Board of County Commissioners unanimously approved the county's 2026 annual action plan for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program at its July 7 meeting, adopting funding recommendations that county staff said total about $985,000 across 15 projects.

Nut graf: Crystal Letier, executive director of economic development, presented the plan and explained that as an entitlement community El Paso County receives a direct federal allocation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for housing, homelessness and community development activities outside the Colorado Springs city limits. Letier said the advisory board received 37 applications this cycle and recommended funding for 15 projects the department projects will serve more than 8,000 residents.

Body: "This designation has been great because it allows more local control," Crystal Letier told the commission, describing how CDBG funds are distributed via a competitive application process and reviewed by a 12-member Community Development Advisory Board. Letier said federal regulations cap public service spending at 15% of the total allocation and noted the county typically excludes very small awards because of federal administrative burden; she said $20,000 is typically the program's minimum award.

Letier summarized recommended projects spanning public services, economic development (including a restaurant-industry-focused SPICE program), infrastructure (streets and sidewalks in Manitou Springs, county parks and Calhan), public facilities (parking and playground work) and housing (emergency health and safety repairs and ADA improvements). She said the advisory board recommends about $985,000 for 15 projects, the smallest grant being $20,000, the largest $175,000 and an average grant of about $65,000.

Commissioners praised staff for efficient administration and for keeping administrative spending below federal caps. Commissioners emphasized safeguards: awards are generally reimbursement-based and subrecipient agreements have been updated to ensure compliance with federal requirements and executive orders. "We will be keeping a very close eye on individuals who are first-time applicants to make sure they are actually providing the value that is necessary for this," the chair said during discussion of oversight and reimbursements.

Motion and vote: A commissioner moved to approve the resolution adopting the 2026 CDBG annual action plan and another commissioner seconded; the board approved the motion by roll call vote 5-0.

Ending: Letier said she will present an election summary to the board after the county completes the post-election canvas referenced earlier in the meeting and reaffirmed that HUD requirements and final certification processes govern the program. The adopted plan directs county staff to implement the recommended awards and continue required HUD compliance work.