Colorado State Archives

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

OWENS ANNOUNCES CLOSE TO $8 MILLION IN ENERGY IMPACT GRANTS AWARDED TO COLORADO COMMUNITIES

Governor directs funding for public projects ranging from Delta County rail safety improvements, to dam repair in the City of Victor, to technical assistance for regional council of governments

DENVER -- Gov. Bill Owens has announced that close to $8 million in Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance funds has been awarded to community projects throughout the state. Projects that received funding range from Delta County rail safety improvements to economic redevelopment assistance in Trinidad, to funding for technical assistance to regional council of governments.

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

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.

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, 50 projects received funding.

The grants and low-interest loans were made during the summer funding cycle. A nine-member state Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Advisory Committee provides funding recommendations on requests being considered. A complete list of projects receiving grants or loans is attached.

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