To: Board of County Commissioners
Through: Gini Pingenot, Director, Open Spaces
Prepared By:
prepared
Sandra Bottoms, Grants and Acquisitions Administrator, Open Spaces
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Subject:
title
2026 Open Space Grant Awards
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Purpose and Request:
recommended action
Request that the BOCC adopt a resolution approving the 2026 Open Space Grant Awards, funding nine standard grants, two small grants, and one planning grant totaling $4,510,919 as presented on the attached 2026 Open Space Grants ranking sheet. The BOCC reviewed this item in a study session on July 6, 2026, and approved adding it to the consent agenda.
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Alignment with Strategic Plan: Good Governance - Understand and respond to community needs, interests, and values.
Background and Discussion: In accordance with the Arapahoe County Open Space Resolution, 12% of Open Space Sales and Use Tax revenue is invested in Arapahoe County communities through a grants program. Each year, incorporated municipalities and special districts that provide outdoor recreation services are invited to submit proposals for eligible open space, park, and trail projects. An evaluation team made up of Open Space and Trails Advisory Board (OSTAB) members and Open Spaces staff review the grant applications and make recommendations to OSTAB and the BOCC regarding the approval, conditional approval, or denial of each application. Since 2005, the program has invested more than $68 million in grant funding in 309 projects throughout the County.
In September 2025, the BOCC approved an allocation of $5.5 million for the 2026 grant cycle.
This year, nine agencies submitted a total of 12 grant proposals (nine standard grants, two small grants, and one planning grant) requesting a total of $4,510,919, with total matching funds of $5,017,445 (53% of the total project cost).
After an initial staff review to confirm eligibility, a team of evaluators consisting of six OSTAB members and five Open Spaces staff members rev...
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