Great Outdoors Colorado - GOCO Strategic Plan

Leadership and Board Initiatives

Since 1994, Great Outdoors Colorado has provided leadership through its grant-making process to encourage innovative and creative projects, promote partnerships, leverage resources, and integrate efforts among public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector. It has convened interests from time-to-time to discuss, advance, and resolve issues of concern and has informally served as a clearinghouse of information to applicants, organizations, the media and citizens.

With an increase in funding, stakeholders have suggested that GOCO is even more uniquely positioned as a statewide organization to expand its leadership role as a catalyst, convener, communicator, cooperator and clearinghouse and to undertake new initiatives. Following are examples of ways in which GOCO can accomplish an expanded leadership role. The Board will need to periodically define the priorities within these areas and the resources necessary for GOCO to be effective.

External fundraising: A specific initiative the Board was encouraged to pursue during its public meetings is to actively seek funds from public and private sources both within and beyond Colorado to augment GOCO funding. GOCO is uniquely positioned to provide full services for individuals, corporations, foundations and agencies which have an interest in funding projects related to all or part of GOCO’s mission. Because GOCO has established systems to award and administer grants, funding sources might find working with GOCO advantageous.

Actively pursuing projects: Since 1994, GOCO has attempted be respond to regional needs through its grant application process. However, GOCO funds are not serving every community or resource need in the state. GOCO will work more actively with local governments, state agencies, nonprofit organizations and the private sector where these gaps and needs exist. Once they are identified, GOCO can help provide technical assistance that will result in planning, partnerships and competitive proposals. Without this more proactive approach, certain areas of the state and resource types will not benefit from GOCO’s funds, and significant opportunities will be lost forever.

Bi-annual conference: GOCO will conduct a bi-annual conference on the state of Colorado’s outdoor resources, the challenges to the state’s natural resources, and tools and techniques to conserve and enhance Colorado’s outdoor heritage.

Department of Natural Resources: GOCO will continue to work closely with the Department of Natural Resources and the three Boards whose missions have elements that overlap with GOCO’s mission: the State Parks Board, the Wildlife Commission and the State Land Board.

Diverse populations: GOCO will communicate information about funding opportunities and activities to diverse populations and will work to disseminate information about Colorado’s parks, trails, and wildlife areas in strategic locations that serve diverse communities.

Indicators of success/annual report card: GOCO will establish statewide indicators to track progress in preserving and enhancing parks, wildlife, trails, rivers and open space. From this information, GOCO can prepare an annual report card on the state of Colorado’s outdoor resources.