Community Development Block Grant

The Community Development Block Grant - Public Facilities (CDBGPF) program is administered by the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) through its Division of Local Government (DLG). This program is a state-administered subset of the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) initiative, designed to support infrastructure and public facility improvements in Colorado's non-entitlement areas. These are municipalities and counties that do not receive CDBG funds directly from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), typically due to having populations below HUD-defined thresholds. The CDBGPF program targets a range of eligible activities focused on enhancing public infrastructure and services for low- to moderate-income (LMI) communities. Allowable projects include improvements to sewer and water systems, streetscapes in commercial areas, the construction or rehabilitation of community centers, food banks, shelters, health clinics, and infrastructure supporting nonprofit service providers. The program requires that funded projects either benefit primarily LMI individuals, help eliminate slums or blight, or meet urgent community needs as defined by HUD criteria. There are two primary funding mechanisms within the CDBGPF: the Design, Engineering, and Environmental Clearance (DEEC) Grant and the Construction Grant. The DEEC Grant provides up to $100,000 to support pre-construction activities such as planning, feasibility studies, design, and environmental clearance for eligible projects. This grant cycle will open in fall 2026. The Construction Grant supports the actual acquisition, construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation, or installation of public improvements. The maximum award for Construction Grants is $600,000. Applications for this cycle will be accepted between March 1, 2026, and May 1, 2026. Applicants for Construction Grants are required to submit two key reports prior to submitting their applications: a Design and Engineering Progress Report and an Environmental Progress Report. These documents must be submitted to the CDBGPF Program Manager, James Spiers, who will issue a certification that must then be uploaded as part of the application. All applications are to be submitted through the DOLA online grants portal, and applicants must coordinate with their regional managers before applying to review project scope and application requirements. Supporting documents such as a Citizen Participation Plan, Public Hearing Template, Project Budget, Financial Information, and Environmental Worksheet must also be included in the application submission. Eligibility is limited to units of general local government, such as cities and counties located in non-entitlement areas, where the project serves a community that is at least 51% low-income. These local governments may also apply on behalf of nonprofit organizations. A list of ineligible jurisdictions is provided, including major cities and counties such as Denver, Arapahoe County, and Colorado Springs, which already receive direct CDBG funding. The grant process emphasizes collaboration with regional managers, adherence to required documentation, and online submission via the designated grants portal. Contact for the program is James Spiers, who can be reached by email at [email protected]. General inquiries may also be directed to the DOLA DLG Helpdesk at [email protected] or by phone at 303-864-7720. Reporting requirements post-award are managed through the CAPER Annual Performance and Evaluation Report, while long-term planning guidance is provided through the state’s Consolidated Plan. This program recurs annually, with future application windows anticipated to align with current cycles.

Review project with Regional Manager before applying. Download required documents in advance.