Larimer County issues updated American Rescue Plan Act Recovery Plan

Larimer County submitted to the U.S. Treasury Department a Revised Recovery Plan regarding its planned uses of State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF), which the county received from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

The report shows that Larimer County has identified projects that will utilize the full $69.3 million in SLFRF funds with the possibility of leveraging other funding sources. Larimer County is prioritizing the use of its SLFRF allocations to projects that do not represent temporary successes but instead create transformative, long-term change in our community. Highlights of the report include:

• Larimer County will report approximately $36.5 million in lost revenues in 2020 and 2021 combined using the Treasury Department's approved formula. While these funds could be used for most any service, the county intends to use these resources to fund projects that will benefit communities most disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The county is working to leverage other funding sources to maximize the positive impact on the community by working with State, municipal, nonprofit and philanthropic partners to determine project scope and funding contributions.
• Key projects that are prioritized include:
  • Expediting construction of phase two of the county's Behavioral Health Facility, which is focused on providing services to youth.
  • Construction of a shelter for youth ages 12 to 18 who are unable to find permanent or foster care housing. The shelter will provide counseling and other services in addition to housing for this at-risk population.
  • The County is currently exploring two projects that will provide affordable housing with on-site childcare and in one case an adjacent community center. Affordable housing is an acute need in Larimer County, especially in mountainous areas where a significant workforce is necessary for the tourism industry.
  • Construction of a childcare facility with the goal of greatly expanding the supply of, and therefore reducing the cost of, quality childcare options within the County.
  • A contribution towards the preservation of a mobile home park in Fort Collins, where the supply of affordable housing is especially acute. 
  • $1 million in grant funding to non-profit organizations to expand access to health and economic support benefits
  • Up to $12 million to expand high-speed broadband access to underserved communities
  • Water and sewer projects totaling $2.3 million that will improve water quality at its parks and open spaces, mobile home parks in or near Fort Collins, and in the Town of Berthoud
  • Other projects to improve public safety including an additional prosecution position in the Office of the District Attorney and a position to expand pre-trial intake and supervision.

The report is available on the Budget Website at this link.