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<br />J <br /> <br />R <br /> <br />GREAT 0 UT DOORS <br />C 0 L 0 RA D 0 <br /> <br />ACCOMPLISHMENTS, <br />CHALLENGES, OPPORTUNITIES <br /> <br />What is Great Outdoors Colorado? <br /> <br />The Great Ouldoors Colorado (GOCO) Trust Fund was created in 1992 as the result of a cilizen initiative <br />passed by 58% of the slate's voters. The GOCQ Constitutional Amendment redirected lottery proceeds that <br />were being llsed for capital construction projects to projects that preserve, protect and enhance Colorado's <br />wildlife, park, river, trail and open space heritage. <br /> <br />To achieve these projects, a 15-member Board - appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the State <br />Senate - awards grants to local governments, park and recreation districts, nonprofit land conservation orga- <br />nizations, Colorado State Parks and the Colorado Division of Wildlife. <br /> <br />Why is GOCO rewriting its strategic plan? <br /> <br />GOeD is rewriting its strategic plan because its funding is increasing substantially with the redirection of lot- <br />tery funds. Beginning next year, GOCO will receive over $42 million annually from state lottery funds, up <br />from an average of approximately $17 million per year between 1993 and 1998. <br /> <br />As the Board rewrites its strategic plan and considers the investment of additional resources, it will take into <br />account what has changed since the GOCO Amendment passed: <br /> <br />B Population increase and Us impacts. Since the GOCO Amendment pas.sed, the state's population has <br />increased 20%. This creates more pressure on land and wildlife and more demand for parks and outdoor recreation. <br /> <br />B The escalating price of real estate. The value of farm real estate has increased 57% in Colorado <br />since 1990. Between 1990 and 1996, the number of building permits issued increased 261 %. <br /> <br />H Lessons learned after four and one-half years of grant making. GOCO's work with communities, <br />land trusts, and state agencies has helped us learn more about what the needs are in the stale. We also know <br />what is working well in our grant process and what can be improved. <br /> <br />B The demand for GOCO dollars. The Board receives requests for mOre than three times as many dol- <br />lars as it has available. It anticipates that demand will remain high in the coming years. <br /> <br />B What GOCO's initial investments have helped take care of and what needs have been left unaddressed. <br />Caps placed on GOCO grant awards mean larger projects such as regional outdoor recreation facilities and <br />large landscape open space projects are not receiving GOCO grants. In addition, a significant focus on land <br />protection initially has left needs unmet in outdoor recreation facility development. <br /> <br />Current Lottery Proceeds Distribution <br /> <br />Distribution Beginning FY 1999/2000 <br /> <br /> <br />BllIod on S tOO million e~lim~lo orLQlLcl')' Ffoceed. <br /> <br /> <br />1m Conservation Trust Fund ra Conservation Trust Fund <br />. Colorado State Parks . Colorado State Parks <br />. GO CO . GOCO ($35 M adjut:t~d fOf Inflation) <br />. Capital Construction . General Fund <br />