Grant Information | Garfield County Federal Mineral Lease District

General Information

Our grant programs are compliant with federal and state law. Federal law limits how lease payments distributed to the Garfield County Federal Mineral Lease District can be used. Distributions may only be made to eligible entities: the state, or its political subdivisions. These eligible applicants may only use the distribution for eligible purposes: (1) planning, (2) construction and maintenance of public facilities, or (3) provision of public services. See 30 U.S.C. §191. All grant requests must fit within one of those three categories, or the grant application will not be considered by the GCFMLD.

Under Colorado law, the GCFMLD’s grant programs help alleviate social, economic, and public finance impacts resulting from federal mineral leasing activities in our communities, providing the greatest use of these financial resources for the greatest number of Citizens.

Grant Cycles

We operate two grant cycles a year, one in the spring, the other in the fall. In our Spring Cycle, we accept applications in February, review them in March, and make awards in April. In our Fall Cycle, we accept applications in August, review them in September, and make awards in October.

*The District Board reserves the right to take whatever time is necessary to make its final determinations.

Grant Programs

Because federal law requires that funds we distribute be used for (1) planning, (2) construction and maintenance of public facilities, or (3) provision of public services, we operate two grant programs along those lines.

The Traditional Grant Program typically funds new public works or other capital projects, their replacement or repair, and the associated planning, engineering, design, or architectural costs. Funding is also available for public services addressing health, safety, and welfare impacts from federal mineral leasing activities, including but not limited to animal control, education, emergency services, protective services, recreation, social services, and transportation.

The Mini Grant Program grants up to $25,000 with no matching requirement for projects aligned with the GCFMLD Mission Statement and federal law. An exception to the no matching requirement is any mini grant primarily for a planning project, which requires a fifty percent cash match.

The Joint Grant Program stresses collaboration, encouraging entities to work together for the benefit of the citizens of Garfield County. Up to $1,000,000 is available for the program

In either grant program, for any grant submitted primarily for planning projects, the GCFMLD will fund no more than fifty percent of that project. In addition, a fifty percent cash match is required, and the cash match will be the first money expended on the planning project.

Eligible Applicants

As political subdivisions of the state, municipalities, school districts, public and state controlled institutions of higher education, library districts, metropolitan or other special districts, and fire protection districts are eligible applicants under 30 U.S.C. §191. For-profit, private sector entities are not eligible. Non-profit corporations under section 501(c)(3) of the I.R.S. Code are not eligible applicants. The GCFMLD will not provide grants to individuals or for-profit entities seeking to start a business or expand an existing business.