GOCO BOARD ADOPTS SPENDING PLAN FOR FUTURE LOTTERY FUNDS
Land, Water, and Wildlife Protection Major Focus
After an extensive public process, the Great Outdoors Colorado
(GOCO) Board has adopted a strategic plan that will guide the
granting of GOCO’s share of Lottery proceeds for outdoor projects.
The planning effort was prompted by a significant increase in
the amount of funds GOCO will be receiving. GOCO’s share of Lottery
proceeds will increase from an average of $20 million annually
to $35 million a year adjusted for inflation -- approximately
$44 million in Fiscal Year 1999/2000.
The plan is based on input the Board received from more than 2000
Coloradans. Last Fall, GOCO conducted a series of meetings in
14 cities around the state to discuss what modifications it should
make to its previous plan. More than 900 people participated in
the meetings. Ciruli Associates also conducted a telephone survey
of 600 citizens. Finally, over 500 people commented on a draft
of the plan via GOCO’s home page, letters and phone calls.
Through the planning process, the Board learned Coloradans continue
to consider growth and its impacts the number one issue that should
be addressed in the state. Preserving open space tops the list
of local and statewide priorities for the investment of Lottery
funds. Based on what was learned, the protection and stewardship
of land and water for open space, wildlife, parks and outdoor
recreation will continue to be the highest priority for the GOCO
Board.
The Board will organize its grant activities into three core programs
and has developed an overall allocation of funds into each program:
- Land, Water, and Wildlife Protection 71.5% of total funds
- Outdoor Recreation Facilities 23.0% of total funds
- Youth, Environmental Education, and Interpretation 5.5% of total fund
Under the Land, Water, and Wildlife Protection Program, the Board
has five targeted initiatives:
Initiative 1) Protecting Important River Corridors
Initiative 2) Protecting Colorado’s Unique Natural Areas and Wildlife
Habitats
Initiative 3) Protecting Community Separators
Initiative 4) Protecting Land for Future Parks and Outdoor Recreation
Initiative 5) Protecting Strategic Agricultural Lands
The Outdoor Recreation Program will target the establishment of
new outdoor recreation facilities for local and State Parks and
the establishment, development, and enhancement of trails. GOCO’s
Youth, Environmental Education and Interpretation Program will
place special emphasis on engaging youth -- the future stewards
of the state’s vast natural resources -- in outdoor activities
and opportunities including through youth corps programs.
GOCO will continue to offer its existing grant programs. Adding
the targeted initiatives is designed to spur the development of
cohesive projects of regional and statewide significance. The
targeted initiatives will also be achieved through existing grant
programs and new programs yet to be developed. The Board recognizes
that strategically focusing a portion its resources means that
not all regions of the state will be served by all types of GOCO
grants. However, because of GOCO’s funding increase, more dollars
will likely be available for all project types that serve Colorado’s
diversity of outdoor needs.
Although the plan will guide GOCO’s granting of funds until July
of 2009 when the Lottery is scheduled to sunset, the Board will
regularly seek input from Coloradans about its spending priorities.
The Board will determine annually the amount and types of grants
it will give so it can address new challenges that arise in coming
years and take advantage of special opportunities.