Funding & Technical Assistance

Innovative Affordable Housing Strategies Planning Grant Program
Second Funding Round Deadline: October 25 | More info here. Colorado Dept. of Local Affairs. Colorado municipalities and counties are eligible. The Planning Grant Program has approximately $6.8 million in funding available to local governments to help them understand their housing needs and adopt policy and regulatory strategies to qualify for the Incentives Grant Program. Planning Grants can fund data collection (e.g., housing needs assessments) paired with strategic policy and regulatory updates to remove barriers and incentivize affordable housing at the local level. 

Innovative Affordable Housing Strategies Incentives Grant Program
Letters of Intent Due: November 1 for Catalyst Funding Round | More info here. Colorado Dept. of Local Affairs.   Qualifying communities (i.e., those that have adopted at least three strategies from the menu of qualifying strategies listed in the guidelines document) can apply for funds to support affordable housing development projects directly or through programs that support affordable housing development or long-term preservation. Colorado municipalities and counties are eligible. Funding Available: $37,728,000; Award Amount: Individual awards expected to be ~$500,000-$1,000,000 (suggested max award amount $3,000,000). Local Match: 20% local match of the total project cost required, with option to request a reduced match after consulting with your DOLA Regional Manager.

Operation Turn-Key: Funding Available for Acquisition of Land and Existing Property for Non-Congregate Shelter and Affordable Housing Assets
Deadline: Rolling until NOFA expires 4/15/22 or funding is depleted. DOLA Division of Housing is seeking applications for funding for the acquisition of land and/or existing properties suitable for the purpose of providing or developing non-congregate shelter, supportive housing, or affordable housing. Additional funds may be also requested for the renting of and providing tenancy support services within the same properties to provide shelter or housing for households at risk of or experiencing homelessness. Please see the DOH Open RFA page for the latest details regarding the NOFA.

Environmental Education Grants Program
Deadline: December 6 | More info here. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Supports education projects that promote environmental awareness and stewardship and help provide people with the skills to take responsible actions to protect the environment. The Program offers financial support for projects that design, demonstrate, or disseminate environmental education practices, methods, or techniques.

Hazard Mitigation Grant Opportunities
Colorado communities have a unique opportunity to reduce their long-term risks from natural hazards with assistance from FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) programs: Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC), and Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA). This document from the Colorado Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. provides information on all of these funding opportunities. More information on these funding opportunities can also be found here: https://www.fema.gov/grants/mitigation.

Colorado Creative Corps ARP Grant Program
Deadlines: Cycle A - Nov. 1; Cycle B - Jan. 13, 2022 | More info here. This program will provide grants for artists and artist collectives that complete specific, definable projects that connect artists and organizations to local initiatives. Projects will require an organization or community partner and must be completed by June 30, 2022. No matching funds are required, and the grant can pay for a portion or all of the costs of the project. Grants will be awarded in amounts ranging from $2,500 to $25,000. 

Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program
Deadline: December 1 | More info here. Supports the expansion of broadband Internet access, connectivity, and digital inclusion. Examples of supported activities include the purchase of broadband Internet access service or any eligible equipment, or to hire and train information technology personnel; to facilitate educational instruction and learning, including through remote instruction; to operate a minority business enterprise; or to operate a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization.
Training Opportunities & Events

2021 State Demography Office Annual Demography Summit
November 5 | Online | Register here
The 2021 State Demography Summit will be held virtually this year. Registration for this year’s summit will be free of charge.

Winter Startup Celebration with local entrepreneurs in Summit County
November 11 | 5 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. | Beaver Run Resort, Breckenridge | Get free tickets here
Join OpenSnow's Joel Gratz to celebrate our local entrepreneurs and business owners who have graduated from the Summit Biz Bootcamp program powered by CO.STARTERS. Together, we want to inspire others to connect and support each other as they launch or grow their own initiative or business in Summit County. Be a part of building and cultivating our entrepreneurial ecosystem and meet some of the most dynamic local business leaders and innovative entrepreneurs in Summit County.

Grand County Economic Summit
November 12 | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. | River Run Resort in Granby | More info and register here
2020 and 21 have been challenging for mountain employers. Join us to understand the data behind "why" and learn ways to adapt your business.

Steamboat Springs Chamber Economic Summit
November 12 | 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Colorado Mountain College | More info and register here
The Steamboat Springs Chamber and the Economic Development Council present the 27th Annual Economic Summit focusing on Economic Health. This event will deliver practical, thought-provoking, and timely content in the form of an economic checkup using self-diagnosis to prepare for the future. The summit will evaluate local demographics and economic measures and consider the effect of housing on the economy, as well as look at the future of work and the development of talent and leadership pipelines.
Northwest Colorado Council of Governments
Economic Development District | www.nwccog.org/edd