The Small Grants Program is funded by the Help Preserve Open Spaces quarter-cent sales tax initially approved by Larimer County citizens in 1995 and extended by the citizens in 1999. The funds are earmarked to "preserve and provide significant open space, natural areas, wildlife habitat, parks and trails".
Get more information about the Small Grants Program and download an application
Since 1998, the Larimer County Open Lands Small Grants Program has provided funds to a variety of individuals, neighborhood groups, homeowner associations, school groups, non-profits, and other appropriate local organizations for projects on public and private lands that enhance natural areas, improve open spaces, and provide opportunities for environmental and outdoor education. Since the program began in 1998, approximately $92,800 has been provided to 75 projects.
These funds are available again in 2008 for your special project! Individual projects may be awarded up to $2000 per year. Small Grant proposals must meet each of the Small Grant Selection Criteria. Please review the selection criteria carefully to determine if your proposed project qualifies. Each proposal will be reviewed by Larimer County Open Lands Staff and the Open Lands Advisory Board to ensure that the specific criteria are met and to determine which projects will be funded. The maximum dollar amount awarded is $2000 per project per year.
In 2007, 6 projects received funding through the Small Grants Program. The 2007 Larimer County Open Lands Small Grants Award recipients were:
| Project Applicant | Project Name | Amount Funded | Project Description | Project Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boy Scout Troop 188 | Cottonwood Glen Wetlands, Bird Sanctuary, & Butterfly Garden | $1,196 | Enhance wildlife habitat at City of Fort Collins' Cottonwood Glen community Park around wetland in vicinity of Spring Creek | Fort Collins |
| Trappers Point HOA | Coho Run Wildlife Habitat Improvement | $856 | Enhance wildlife and migratory bird habitat by planting native shrubs enar irrigation canal | Fort Collins |
| Front Range Community College | Exotic Species Elimination Project | $1,760 | Eliminate Russian olive and tamarisk at a number of County parks and open spaces and City of Loveland properties | Fort Collins and Loveland |
| New Vision Charter School | The Pond Project | $1,990 | Develop the east side of Osborn Gardles Reservoir as an outdoor education site for school. Timberline Farm Museum, and future Boys and Girls Club facility | Loveland |
| Registry Ridge HOA | Earth Day at Registry Ridge | $1,000 | Plant native shrubs as part of a Community Earth Day event with education about natural areas | Fort Collins |
| Peninsula at Horseshoe Lake HOA | Peninsula at Horseshoe Lake HOA Habitat Viewing Area | $1,000 | Provide wildlife viewing areas along the edge of 24-acre conservation area | Loveland |
| Total Dollars Awarded in 2006 | $7,802 | |||
To find out more about the Small Grants Program and/or to obtain an application, please contact Sue Burke by phone at 970-679-4566, by e-mail, or at the following link: more about the Small Grants Program and/or to obtain an application.