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What has been accomplished with GOCO dollars since 1994? Since 1994, when lhe Board awarded its first grants, the aoeo Trust Fund has invested a total of $142 million in more than 1000 projects throughout the state: II ".. t .}, ,,:~ t.! "P,.lI... 'f.. . r. ~\;~i -' t. ~;i,a "~:.~ .~ ':"-" OPEN SPACE GRANTS to help protect imp0l1ant wildlife habitats. buffers that sur- round parks and other public places. natural areas, cOlTidors between communi- ties, and prime agricultural lands have been awarded to 84 projects. OUTDOOR RECREATION GRANTS have been awarded through Colorado State Parks for 124 projects to acquire and establish new state parks. enhance existing state parks, build multi-use trails, acquire water for recreation and improve environmental educa- tion. Today more than 12 million people enjoy Colorado's 40 stale parks -- up dra- matically from 9.5 million people four years ago. LOCAL GOVERNMllNT PARK AND OU1DCX)R RECREATION GRANTS have been awarded to 323 projects. These grants are helping communities establish their first parks; build and enhance ballfields; enhance existing parks for fishing, hiking and picnicking; and con- stlUct environmental education centers. WlI.D1.1FE PROJECTS GRANTS have been awarded through the Colorado Division of Wildlife for 118 projects. GOCO dollars help the Division with nongame species and habitat protection and to provide opp0l1unities for Coloradans to watch and learn about the state's magnificent wildlife. TRAil. GRANTS have been awarded to 179 projects. This money is used to con- struct new trails, to connect existing trails to one another and to other recreation areas, to restore trails that receive heavy use, and to acquire lands critical to trail access. PLANNING GRANTS to build the capacity of communities to prepare for future park, wildlife and open space needs have been awarded to 159 projects. LEGACY GRANTS of$l million to $10 million have been awarded to l5 projects ofregional or statewide significance. Legacy Projects must integrate at least two of OOCO's four funding categories of open space, outdoor recreation, wildlife and local government. These projects preserve land and water, enhance critical wildlife habitats, create new state and local parks, consu:uct trails and provide environmental education. To maximize its resources, GOCO encourages grant recipients to form partnerships and to leverage Trust Fund dollars. Since 1994, OOCO's $142.6 million has been matched by three times that amount in cash and in-kind services. How should additional GOCO funds be invested? Because demand for GOCO dollars will remain high, the need to be strategic with investments is paramount. The Board is looking for help setting priorities and is conducting meetings in twelve different regions of the state in September and October to seek the advice of citizens about how to strategically invest these dollars. In addition to continuing its existing grant programs, here are some of the options GOCO wants to get feed- back on dUling these public meetings: Continuing to dedicate over-half of its funds to land and water protection. Creating specific land and water initiatives. Five such possible initiatives are: important conservation areas, river corridors, agricultural lands, recreation lands, community separators. Creating a new grant program for large, regional outdoor recreation facilities. Earmarking some funds for trail projects of statewide significance. Funding significant development projects at state parks. The input the Board receives from these meetings will be impOltant to them in rewriting a plan that invests GOCO funds to continue to better Colorado's outdoors in future years.