Funding Priorities

Framework – Amendment Goals

Article XXVII of the Colorado Constitution requires GOCO to allocate its proceeds to four areas in substantially equal portions over time. This framework outlined in the Constitution will continue to guide the Boardís overall investment of funds. It will also continue to form the basis of the Boardís grant cycles. The four areas are:

Wildlife Program Grants through the Division of Wildlife (DOW) which:

* Develop watchable wildlife opportunities

* Implement educational programs about wildlife and wildlife environment

* Provide appropriate programs for maintaining Colorado's diverse wildlife heritage

* Protect crucial wildlife habitats through the acquisition of lands, leases, or easements and restore critical areas

Outdoor Recreation Program Grants through the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation (DPOR) which:

* Establish and improve state parks and recreation areas throughout the state of Colorado

* Develop appropriate public information and environmental education resources on Colorado's natural resources at state parks, recreation areas, and other locations throughout the state

* Acquire, construct, and maintain trails and river greenways

* Provide water for recreational purposes through the acquisition of water rights or through agreements with the holders of water rights, all in accord with applicable state water law

Open Space and Natural Areas Program Grants through the Colorado Divisions of Parks and Outdoor Recreation and Wildlife, or municipalities, counties, or other political subdivisions of the state, or nonprofit land conservation entities to:

* Identify unique open space and natural areas of statewide significance

* Acquire unique open space and natural areas of statewide significance

* Manage unique open space and natural areas of statewide significance

Local Government Program Grants to:

* Match local investments to acquire, develop, and manage open space

* Match local investments to acquire, develop, and manage parks

* Match local investments to acquire, develop, and manage environmental education facilities

In addition, the Board will use the latitude provided in the Amendment “to make expenditures which it considers necessary and proper to the accomplishment of the purposes of the amendment”.

Three Core Programs Derived from Amendment Goals

These Amendment Goals provide important direction and guidance about how the funds are to be spent over time. The current challenges faced by the state and the desires of the people of Colorado -- as expressed through the statewide poll and strategic planning process -- provide additional information to help the Board shape its overall approach. The Board will continue to emphasize the protection of land and water as a priority across each of the four Amendment Goals.

In keeping with the goals specifically outlined in Article XXVII and in recognition of the public’s priorities, the Board will organize its activities into three core programs:

A) Land, Water and Wildlife Protection

B) Outdoor Recreation

C) Youth, Environmental Education, and Interpretation

The core programs will be implemented through all of the funding opportunities GOCO provides -- land protection, stewardship, outdoor facility development, and planning and capacity building. Each of the core program areas also includes targeted initiatives which have been developed to focus GOCO's future investments. The targeted initiatives outlined in this plan will be achieved through existing grant programs and new programs to be developed in the future. The grant programs GOCO has implemented since 1994 will continue to be offered consistent with the strategic objectives of the core program areas.

GOCO will continue to offer its existing grant programs. The targeted initiatives outlined in the plan have been developed to provide definable, cohesive and measurable objectives. The initiatives will also be achieved through existing grant programs and new programs to be developed in the future.

Addressing Colorado's Diverse Needs

This plan strives to meet the diversity of needs in the state, while maintaining an emphasis on protection and stewardship of land and water for open space, wildlife, parks and outdoor recreation. The Board recognizes that strategically focusing its resources means that not all regions of the state will be served by all types of GOCO grants. However, because of GOCOís funding increase beginning in 1999, more dollars will likely be available for all project types, including existing grant programs. In addition, GOCO will continue to encourage projects that support the expansion of outdoor recreation, wildlife, and open space opportunities for urban and rural areas throughout the state and among minority, economically disadvantaged, and physically challenged populations in the state.

Under this plan, the approximate allocation of funds to each of the core programs from Fiscal Year 1999 through Fiscal Year 2008 will be:

Total of three core programs: 100%

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

From each the funding areas outlined in Article XXVII of the Constitution, the following percentages will be dedicated to the three core program areas:

	Land, Water, and Wildlife Protection	Outdoor Recreation Facilities	Youth, Environmental Education, Interpretation
Wildlife	89%	0%	11%	100%
Outdoor Recreation	52%	40%	8%	100%
Open Space	98.5%	0%	1.5%	100%
Local Government	46.5%	52%	1.5%	100%

A) Land, Water and Wildlife Protection

B) Outdoor Recreation

C) Youth, Environmental Education, and Interpretation

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