DOLA Takes Part in Georgetown Water/wastewater Upgrade Celebration

DOLA was proud to take part in a recent celebration marking vital upgrades to the water/wastewater facility serving Georgetown and Silver Plume.  Tony Hernandez, Director of the Division of Local Government (DLG), Clay Brown, DOLA Regional Manager, and Jarrod Biggs, Research Analyst, joined Georgetown and Silver Plume officials for a special ribbon-cutting event applauding construction made possible through more than $9 million in grants and financial assistance.

The water/wastewater system upgrades are the culmination of ongoing facilitation and technical assistance that helped create an intergovernmental agreement between Georgetown and Silver Plume, paving the way for improvements in water quality and infrastructure.

Tony Hernandez, Director of DOLA's Division of Local Government (far l) and DOLA Regional Manager Clay Brown (c), joined local officials from Georgetown and Silver Plume for a ribbon-cutting celebrating water/wastewater system improvements.

You can read about this important project in the Clear Creek Courant.  Photo by Ian Neligh.

Department of Local Affairs Announces $6.1M for Communities

Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) Executive Director Susan Kirkpatrick announced that $6.1 million has been awarded for construction, infrastructure and other community projects that will help improve public facilities and services such as roads and water systems in communities throughout the state.

Kirkpatrick said, “These grants will allow communities to make key investments in projects that will put people to work and strengthen local economies in the short-term, while making communities more livable and economically healthy in the long-term.”

Funding for the Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Grants is derived from state severance tax and federal mineral lease revenues. The Department of Local Affairs has awarded $1,548,381 toward Tier I projects and $4,641,032 toward Tier II projects. Tier I grants fund projects up to $200,000 and Tier II grants fund projects greater than $200,000 up to $2,000,000.

Tony Hernandez, director of DOLA’s Division of Local Government said, "Communities that are impacted by energy and mineral development throughout the state will benefit from these grant awards. The competition for the severance and federal mineral lease grant dollars is stiff. Projects that meet basic needs like water, sewer, drainage, and local roads received highest priority. Projects that demonstrated a strong energy conservation or renewable energy component also received priority.”

The program’s grant process was revamped and refined in 2008 to make it more transparent, accountable and strategic. DOLA worked with legislators, local officials and the energy industry to enhance the effectiveness of the application, review and award process. The grant program was created by the legislature in 1977.

These grants come from revenue from FY 2009 - 2010, and are not impacted by the Governor’s announcement of budget balancing actions for 2010.

Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Grants - Tier I Grants List

Tier I Grant Projects:
Bennett Sewer Line Improvements
Adams County
$99,057

Bennett Sewer Line Improvements - Loan
Adams County
$99,057

Deer Trail School Pool Bldg Renovation
Arapahoe County
$82,500

Empire Water System Improvements
Clear Creek County
$45,826

Red Cliff Attorney/Planner Assistance
Eagle County
$20,000

Florence-Frazier Ave & State Highway 115 Improvements
Fremont County
$148,037

Carbondale Wastewater Admin Building Energy Efficiency Plan
Garfield County
$20,705

Kit Carson County DTR System Upgrade
Kit Carson County
$91,199

Ridgway Water Pump Station/Transmission Line
Ouray County
$150,000

Montrose County Road II-35 Retaining Wall
Montrose County
$194,000

Moffat Town Hall/Community Center
Saguache County
$200,000

USJHSD Rural Indigent Care Clinic
San Juan County
$130,000

San Miguel County Treasurer Collection Software
San Miguel County
$100,000

Ault Council Chambers Upgrade
Weld County
$40,500

Yuma County Building Construction & Improvements
Yuma County
$127,500

TIER I TOTAL: $1,548,381

Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Grants - Tier II Grants List

Tier II Grant Projects:
Gunnison Downtown Ditch System Improvements
Gunnison County
$75,000

Mesa County W&S Dist Water Transmission/Storage Tank
Mesa County
$491,000

Mesa County 33 Rd/Railroad Crossing Improvements
Mesa County
$250,000

Palisade WW Treatment Interceptor
Mesa County
$600,000

Grand Junction 800 MHZ Radio Tower
Mesa County
$600,000

Alamosa Municipal / Public Safety Complex
Alamosa County
$500,000

Idaho Springs Sewer Line Improvements - Phase III
Clear Creek County
$325,032

Haxtun Childcare Center
Phillips County
$300,000

Wiggins Water Project
Morgan County
$100,000

Durango Recycling Facility Expansion
La Plata County
$500,000

La Plata County Oxford Intersection Reconstruction
La Plata County
$600,000

Montrose Facilities Upgrades/Renovation Projects
Montrose County
$300,000

TIER II TOTAL: $4,641,032

TIER I & TIER II GRANTS TOTAL: $6,189,413

Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Fund (EIAF) Grant Program is Suspended as of August 23, 2010

Tough decisions impacting Colorado’s budget, modify the timeline and grant funds available through the Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Fund (EIAF) as outlined in a letter from Governor Bill Ritter to the Joint Budget Committee on August 23, 2010.

Funding for EIAF grants are derived from state severance tax and federal mineral lease revenues. The volatile nature of the Impact fund combined with revenue declines means the grant program is suspended for FY 2010 - FY 2011. However, the EIAF program will continue and DOLA anticipates grant making once the state’s economy recovers from the worst recession since the Great Depression. Dollars for Direct Distribution to cities and counties will be available.

The following outlines the proposed reallocation that will immediately impact the grant program:

• Transfer of $5 million in Severance Tax revenue from the Energy Impact Assistance fund to the General Fund.  This will permanently reduce the fund by $5 million and will be directed to the state’s General Fund.

• Transfer of $15 million in Federal Mineral Lease revenue from the Energy Impact Assistance fund to the General Fund.  This will permanently reduce the fund and dollars will be directed to the state’s General Fund.

• An additional $30 million from the Energy Impact Assistance fund has been reserved for use in FY 2010/2011 in the event additional budget balancing measures are necessary.

The results of the reallocation of the Severance and Federal Mineral Lease dollars are as follows:

1. Suspend 2010 applications - no grant awards after Aug. 2010.  No additional Tier I or Tier II applications will be considered.
2. The recent award of $6.8 million for Tier I and Tier II projects that had been suspended from 2009-2010, are not affected by this action. These awards will be announced on August 25, 2010.

Communities to Benefit from Tier I and Tier II Energy Impact Grants

Energy Impact Tier I grants were recently awarded by DOLA Executive Director Susan Kirkpatrick.   A total of 15 projects were awarded $1.5 million for improvements ranging from water and wastewater to public facilities.  Under Tier I funding, projects can receive up to $200,000.

Members of the State Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Advisory Committee met on Monday, August 2, to review the most current round of applications for Tier II funding.  Under the Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Fund, Tier II projects are intended to support a wide variety of community development projects to improve quality of life in communities with awards greater than $200,000 and up to $2,000,000.

A total of $4.74 million in funding is available this grant cycle with more than $15 million in requests submitted.  There were 19 applications reviewed by the Committee.

Decisions on Tier II projects will be announced later this month.

Click here for more information about the Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Fund.

DLG Welcomes Shawn Wright

DLG proudly welcomes Shawn Wright, who joins the team as the new Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Coordinator.  Wright, who will coordinate CDBG's Public Facilities, Housing and Economic Development programs, brings a wealth of valuable and varied experience with her.

Prior to becoming CDBG Coordinator, she was an Asset Manager with DOLA's Division of Housing.  She served 17 years as a Neighborhood Support Supervisor and Neighborhood Liaison, providing organizational and development assistance to neighborhood associations.

Early in her career, she was as a First Grade teacher in Opheim, Montana, and became a stock broker in Denver.

The Wyoming native enjoys mountain biking, gardening, hiking and horses and is a former volunteer coordinator for Colorado Horse Rescue.  She currently serves on DOLA's Employee Quality Team (EQT), where she provides a generous dose of enthusiasm and energy to wide variety of fund raising activities throughout the year.

Welcome, Shawn!

DLG Director Tony Hernandez Visits Solar Installation Project in Carbondale

During a recent visit to the Crystal Meadows Senior Housing Complex in Carbondale, DLG's director, Tony Hernandez, was treated to a firsthand look at solar paneling that will help generate 15 percent of the electricity to power Crystal Meadows' electrical needs.

The project was funded in part by a $86,929 Energy and Mineral Impact grant to Garfield County through the New Energy Communities Initiative.  The Initiative was launched in 2008 by Governor Bill Ritter and is designed to maximize energy efficiency and conservation, enhance community livability, promote economic development, and address climate change by reducing carbon emissions.  Garfield County is one of 14 recipients that received nearly $10 million toward regional, collaborative efforts to save money, save energy and create jobs.

Hernandez joined Joani Matranga of the Governor's Energy Office, Scott Ely of Sunsense, Jeff Dickinson Mike Ogburn and Rob Morey of the Garfield New Energy Communities Initiative (G-NECI), Patrick Johnson of Solar Flair and Alice Laird of Clean Energy Economy for the Region, for a tour of the solar array that will be powering the complex.

About his visit, Hernandez said, "I really appreciate the opportunity to see firsthand how DOLA's investments are improving people's lives.  I am honored that I was able to meet with our partners in this important endeavor.  Garfield County is a great example of a community committed to sustainability and I look forward to hearing about their future progress and accomplishments."

DOLA's Greg Winkler Working with Town of Minturn to Stimulate Downtown Business

Greg Winkler, DOLA Regional Manager for the Northern Mountains, has been working with the Town of Minturn’s citizens, local officials and business community to identify strategies for stimulating its downtown business corridor.

Winkler has been working with the community as part of DOLA’s Colorado Revitalization Partnership (CRP) program, which helps communities identify the best steps to implement to invigorate their downtowns. The CRP program is a partnership between DOLA and Downtown Colorado, Inc. (DCI).

About his experience working with Minturn, Winkler said, "Minturn is going through what many Colorado communities are experiencing in their downtown areas. I've really enjoyed working with the citizens as they map out a plan that will help their downtown businesses thrive. The CRP process is a great tool DOLA can offer to communities ready to move forward with their downtown economic development efforts.”

While funding is key to helping communities reach many of their goals, the technical assistance DOLA offers throughout the CRP process is critical to making sure communities have identified their strengths, their challenges and the resources available to them.

To read more about Minturn’s downtown revitalization efforts:

BusinessBriefs.net (Vol. 4, Number 8, May 27 - June 24, 2010)
“Minturn trying to kick-start events”


Town of Minturn’s Downtown Planning presentation

Department of Local Affairs Announces more than $3 Million Awarded to Communities Impacted by Gaming

Susan Kirkpatrick, executive director of the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, announced that $3,201,002 in Local Government Limited Gaming Impact Funds has been awarded to projects located in nine counties throughout the state. The counties that received funding are Boulder, Clear Creek, El Paso, Fremont, Gilpin, Jefferson, La Plata, Montezuma and Teller.

Kirkpatrick said, “The Colorado Department of Local Affairs is committed to assisting local communities that have seen dramatic impacts caused by gaming. The impact of gaming on local law enforcement, healthcare systems and roads is clear. I am pleased we are able to participate in this state and local partnership to ensure services vital to these communities receive funding.”

The Local Government Limited Gaming Impact Program, administered by the Division of Local Government, was created in statute in 1997 to provide financial assistance to local governments in addressing documented gaming impacts stemming from limited stakes gaming in the communities of Cripple Creek, Black Hawk and Central City. Limited stakes gaming has been in existence in these communities since voter approval in 1990. The Program is financed with a portion of state taxes on limited gaming activities in these municipalities.

Click here for information about the funded projects.

For more information about the Gaming Impact program, click here.

Windsor Town Hall Renovation Celebrated

Governor Bill Ritter recently visited Windsor to help celebrate the completion of the Town Hall renovation. The $3,058,243 project was made possible through a collaborative effort that included an Energy and Mineral Impact grant from DOLA for $859,402 and a grant through the New Energy Communities initiative for $75,000.

The Windsor Town Hall is a great example of re-use of an existing building. Damaged in the Windsor tornado that struck on May 22, 2008, the building has gone through repairs to its roof, construction of an elevator, renovation of its third floor and energy efficiency improvements.

Coverage of the event can be found at:
Town Hall renovations unveiled
Windsor Now
07.25.10

Windsor christens town hall
The Coloradoan
07.23.10

Windsor town hall renovations unveiled; Gov Ritter attends ceremony
Windsor Tribune
07.23.10

New Faces at DLG

Meet Dianne Rogers

For some, Dianne Rogers may be a familiar face.

Mom to12-year-old Sevé (sounds like “Sev-ay”), Dianne is a former employee of DOLA where she worked 13 years in various divisions; Housing, Executive Director’s Office and Field Services. Her final six years with DOLA were with the Economic Development Commission (EDC).

She left EDC to become a stay-at-home mom, volunteering at her son’s school and with the March of Dimes. She also is a part-time massage therapist at the Colorado Athletic Club.

Dianne and her husband, Ken, have called southeast Denver home for about 15 years.

DOLA is fortunate to have Dianne back lending her expertise and her knack for great customer service to DLG’s reception area.




Meet Doug Foreman

Doug Foreman will be with DOLA until November 10 on temporary assignment helping out with the Community Services Block Grant Program (CSBG).

Originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan, Doug has lived in Colorado since 1985.

A classically trained pianist, Doug teaches piano and writes classical- and jazz-inspired music in his spare time. He is a creative writer and has sold a couple of plays and is currently working on his third.

His travels often take him to New York and to Florida, where his parents reside.

Welcome Stephanie Morey

I am happy to announce that Stephanie Morey who has been an employee of the Division of Housing, will become a DLG employee on March 29th.  Stephanie will become part of the CSBG and assist DLG's customers meet their CSBG goals and administrative responsibilities. 

Please help me welcome Stephanie to the DLG part of DOLA.

Tony Hernandez, Director
Division of Local Government