DENVER - Today, Governor Polis announced that Colorado and local communities have drawn down historic federal funding to support infrastructure projects across the state. Since the passage of the  Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA or “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law”) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Colorado has worked to ensure local communities and governments have the resources and support they need to bring this funding into Colorado communities. 

In December of 2023, Governor Polis announced the IIJA and IRA Grant Writing and Technical Assistance Program to help local governments access funding from IIJA and IRA. Colorado has also funded 14 Regional Grant Navigators (RGNs) across the state to develop a thorough understanding of the grant funding opportunities and to assist local governments and Tribes in accessing funding from these acts. 

“Colorado has worked to ensure that we are maximizing historic federal funding across the state building roads, creating new jobs, improving safety and supporting our state for future generations. I applaud the local governments who have worked with us  to take advantage of this funding and know it will benefit communities across the state,” said Governor Jared Polis.  

Federal funds secured by local communities include:

PROTECT Discretionary Grant Program:

The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) launched the $829.6 million PROTECT Discretionary Grant Program to fund projects that address the climate crisis by improving the resilience of the surface transportation system. 

-          City and County of Denver, Sanderson Gulch Resiliency Project - $4 million

-          City of Aurora, Box Elder Creek Roadway Erosion and Flood Protection - $10.8 million

-          City of Golden, City of Golden's Lena Gulch Project - $23.8 million

Airport Infrastructure Grant Program: 

The Federal Aviation Administration has made billions of dollars in investments for runways, taxiways, safety and sustainability projects, as well as terminal, airport-transit connections, and roadway projects. 

-           City of Broomfield - $768,365 thousand 

-           City of Colorado Springs - $6.4 million 

-           City of Englewood - $851 thousand 

-           City of Loveland - $ 1.6 million 

-          City of Watkins - $760 thousand 

DOT’s Airport Terminals Program:

The Department of Transportation’s Airport Terminal Program seeks to improve and modernize airport terminals across the United States, enhancing energy efficiency, safety, accessibility, and capacity. Through competitive grants, airports like Denver International, Centennial, and Colorado Springs will undergo significant upgrades to meet the evolving needs of travelers while ensuring sustainable and inclusive infrastructure development.

-          Denver International Airport - $26.6 million

-          Centennial Airport - $8 million

-          Colorado Springs Airport - $6 million

National Fish Passage Program:

Colorado Parks and Wildlife will receive funding to work with communities to remove obsolete and dangerous barriers, permanently eliminating public safety hazards and restoring river ecosystems in the La Plata watershed. The resulting infrastructure benefits communities by reconnecting aquatic habitat, increasing flood resilience, and saving money in long-term repair and replacement costs.

-          Colorado Parks and Wildlife- $702,000 

Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants:

The Water and Waste Disposal Loans and Grants program by USDA Rural Development will provide funding for rural communities in Colorado, enabling the construction and improvement of water and waste treatment facilities. Through loans and grants, communities like Fort Lupton, Wiley, and Galeton can ensure clean drinking water, proper sewage disposal, and effective stormwater management, promoting public health and environmental sustainability while supporting community growth.

-          City of Fort Lupton - loan in the amount of $21.1 million

-          Prowers County Sanitation District - loan and grant in the amounts of $4.4 million and $2.9 million 

-          Weld County Water & Sanitation District - loan and grant in the amounts of $238 thousand and $1.5 million

US 160 Corridor Safety and Mobility Improvements in Region 5: 

The Colorado Department of Transportation has secured a $59 million federal grant to upgrade U.S. Highway 160 in La Plata County, including widening the road, adding safety features like wildlife fencing and a roundabout, and aiming to reduce crashes and wildlife collisions significantly. 

-          Colorado Department of Transportation - $58.9 million

I76 Phase IV Regional Improvements for Safety and Efficiency (RISE) in Region 4:

The I-76 Phase IV Regional Improvements for Safety and Efficiency (RISE) project aims to enhance safety and efficiency for residents of the Upper Front Range region through interstate reconstruction, bridge replacement, and mobility hub establishment. 

-          Morgan County, Colorado - $29.1 million

Hydroelectric Efficiency Improvement Incentives Program:

The U.S. Department of Energy's Hydroelectric Efficiency Improvement Incentives aim to support capital improvements that not only improve the efficiency of existing hydroelectric facilities, but also bolster operational reliability, grid resiliency, electricity production, dam safety, and environmental enhancements while sustaining industry jobs.

-          The Public Service Company of Colorado for the Cabin Creek Generating Station project - $5 million

Reunited Denver Project Globeville Elyria-Swansea:

The City and County of Denver will receive funding to construct new pedestrian and bike facilities, remedy brownfield sites, and enhance railroad crossing safety. The project will create an integrated network of infrastructure, providing improved access for residents and visitors while revitalizing underserved areas such as Globeville and Elyria-Swansea in Denver. 

-          City and County of Denver - $35.5 million

Removing the Highway Barrier: Equitably Restoring Colfax and Federal Mobility and Land Use:

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) will receive funding to undertake a project aimed at removing a cloverleaf interchange barrier west of downtown Denver, reconnecting neighborhoods, and redesigning land use to better reflect community needs. 

-          Colorado Department of Transportation - $2 million