In 1992, Coloradans took a major step toward preserving their state's outdoor heritage by voting to create the Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) Trust Fund, which now forms Article XXVII of the Colorado Constitution. The GOCO Amendment dedicates a portion of state lottery proceeds to projects that preserve, protect, and enhance Colorado's wildlife, parks, rivers, trails, and open spaces. Since it began awarding grants in 1994, GOCO has awarded almost $549.8 million for more than 2,700 projects throughout the state. 

GOCO receives 50% of the proceeds from the Colorado Lottery, its only source of funding. The remainder of lottery proceeds is divided between the Conservation Trust Fund and ColoradoState Parks. GOCO's funding is capped at $35 million a year adjusted for inflation ($50.2 million in Fiscal Year 2006/2006); if GOCO's share exceeds that amount, the remainder goes into the State Public School Fund. 

The Colorado Constitution requires GOCO to allocate its proceeds to four areas in substantially equal portions over time:         

"Investments in the wildlife resources of Colorado through the Colorado Division of Wildlife, including the protection and restoration of crucial wildlife habitats, appropriate programs for maintaining Colorado's diverse wildlife heritage, wildlife watching, and educational programs about wildlife and wildlife environment."

"Investments in the outdoor recreation resources of Colorado through the Colorado Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation (Colorado State Parks), including the State Parks system, trails, public information and environmental education resources, and water for recreational facilities."

"Competitive grants to the Colorado Divisions of Parks and Outdoor Recreation (Colorado State Parks) and Wildlife, and to counties, municipalities, or other political subdivisions of the state, or non-profit land conservation organizations, to identify, acquire, and manage open space and natural areas of statewide significance."

"Competitive matching grants to local governments or other entities which are eligible for distributions from the Conservation Trust Fund, to acquire, develop, or manage open lands and parks."

• Legacy Grants

• Open Space Land Conservation Grants

• Local Government Park, Outdoor Recreation and Environmental Education Facilities Grants (includes regular grants, mini-grants for small communities and regional grants)

• Outdoor Recreation Investments through Colorado State Parks

• Wildlife Investments through the Colorado Division of Wildlife

• Trail Grants

• Planning and Capacity Building Grants

GOCO's staff and outside experts evaluate each application. The staff submits recommendations to the GOCO Board, which makes the final funding decisions.