Colorado State Archives

Executive Orders from the Administration of Governor Bill Owens 1999-2005

DENVER -- Gov. Bill Owens has announced that $3,441,120 in Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance funds has been awarded to 10 community projects throughout the southwestern region of the state. Projects in Archuleta, Dolores, La Plata, Montrose, Montezuma and San Miguel Counties received funding for improvements.

"I am pleased the state is able to assist these Colorado communities in providing needed services to their residents," said Gov. Owens.

The Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance program assists communities in offsetting the direct impacts of energy and mineral development and in meeting other needs indirectly related to such development. The funds are administered by the Colorado Department of Local Affairs and come from the state severance tax on oil, gas, carbon dioxide, coal and metals and from the state’s share of royalties paid to the federal government for the extraction of minerals and mineral fuels on federally-owned land.

The following projects located in the southwestern region of Colorado received grants, low-interest loans or both:

Pagosa Springs Fire Protection District Station and Equipment	$ 230,000
Dove Creek Fire Protection District Equipment	$ 10,267
La Plata County Roads (multi year grant)	$ 92,500
La Plata County Cumulative Impact Study	$ 175,000
Olathe Wastewater Treatment Facility Upgrade	$ 350,000
Cortez - Colorado Welcome Center	$ 300,000
Mancos Sewer Lines	$ 139,600
Telluride Waterline Improvements	$ 350,000
Durango Bypass right-of-way	$ 250,000
Dolores County School District addition	$ 100,000

Bob Brooks, executive director of the Colorado Department of Local Affairs said, "Hundreds of projects have been made possible through the Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance program with severance taxes and mineral lease royalties paid by the oil, gas and mining industries. These industries are important to the state and to the communities in which they are located. They not only provide the energy we rely on, provide local jobs and inject dollars into the state and local economies, but through the taxes and royalties they pay into the Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance program, help local communities address other energy-related impacts. We appreciate their support."

Most of the projects that benefit from the program involve improvements to basic public facilities and infrastructure. During this most recent funding cycle, 51 projects statewide totaling more than $13 million received funding.

The grants and low-interest loans were made during the spring funding cycle. A nine-member state Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Advisory Committee provides funding recommendations on requests being considered.

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