There’s a lot of fanfare around grant awards, but what happens after the ceremonial checks are presented and the reporters have published their articles? Our partners get down to business.

For 28 years, GOCO has improved Colorado’s great outdoors with the help of Colorado Lottery proceeds. We’ve put more than $1.3 billion in proceeds back into 5,300 projects to improve the lives of Coloradans across the state.

After projects are awarded funding, grant recipients have about two years to make their projects happen.

In February, seven projects closed, representing more than $1.9 million in GOCO investments into local communities across the state. Scroll to see if one’s near you:

Art Dague Pool

$217,500 grant to City of Rifle

The City of Rifle used its Local Parks and Outdoor Recreation (LPOR) grant to renovate Art Dague Pool and Waterslide. Funds were used to expand the pool’s existing bathhouse; add two family changing rooms; and make improvements to the concession, admission, and staff/first aid areas. Construction also included a zero-depth-entry pool with flow channel and aquatic play structure, a separate six-lane lap pool, a family whirlpool, and deck space with multiple shade structures. ADA upgrades, including lifts and recessed stairs, were also integrated into the facility’s renovation.

Read a press release about Art Dague Pool


Buffalo Track and Field Project

$350,000 grant to Logan County

Logan County, in partnership with Buffalo School District, used GOCO funds to make updates to Merino High School’s Buffalo Track and Field. To provide its students and residents with a safe, outdoor exercise venue, the county used its LPOR grant to construct an all-weather, eight-lane, 400-meter track. The new track includes sand pits for long and triple jumps in addition to all-weather surface for high jump, pole vault, discus, and shot put. The project was also designed to be ADA compliant and provide direct access to Merino’s one-mile Fit Trail. Track and field meets hosted by Merino High School will serve an estimated 1,500 students representing school districts in Akron, Brush, Fleming, Haxtun, Holyoke, Julesburg, Lone Star, and Sterling, among others.

Learn more about the Buffalo Track and Field project


CFRT (Colorado Front Range Trail) from E-470 to Brighton

$620,988 grant to City of Brighton

With the help of GOCO funds, the City of Brighton constructed 2.4 miles of the Colorado Front Range Trail (CFRT) from E-470 to Brighton along the South Platte River. The new concrete segment includes two bridges and wayfaring signage. The trail provides non-motorized connections to an extensive list of outdoor areas and regional trails including the Ken Mitchell Park and Open Space, the Adams County Park and Fairgrounds, the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge, the Clear Creek Trail, and the Sand Creek Trail. To date, one third of the corridor has been finished. When complete, the 876-mile trail will connect 15 cities, 14 counties and many smaller towns and communities along its length.

Check out the full scope of the CFRT project


Joe Rowell Park Community Playground

$173,493 grant to Town of Dolores

The Town of Dolores used its GOCO LPOR grant to build a community playground at Joe Rowell Park. The new playground includes two areas, one for toddler-aged children and another designed for children ages five to 12. For the younger aged-children, swings, slides, climbing structures, a tractor feature, and rubber surfacing were installed. The area for older kids includes monkey bars, balance beams, a boulder climbing structure and net, a hurricane spinner, and wood chip surfacing.

Read on about the new community playground


River Park Phase 2

$350,000 grant to Town of Breckenridge

With its GOCO LPOR grant, the Town of Breckenridge completed the second phase of its River Park project. Funds were used to construct a beginner bike loop for toddler and preschool children, a log climber area and playground, and a custom fish-climbing structure. Additional elements of the project include slackline posts, grassy open spaces, additional parking, and trailhead access. River Park is an artfully designed and constructed, nature-based environment located along the Blue River. GOCO funds were used to partially fund phase one of the River Park project.

Visit the park


Rouse Park Playground

$157,895 grant to Cañon City Area Metro Recreation and Park District

Cañon City Area Metro Recreation and Park District used GOCO funds to make improvements to the playground at Rouse Park. The new play space has an area designed for younger children, which includes a climbing structure and two side-by-side slides. A second area was designed for children ages five to 12 and is equipped with three slides and a variety of climbing elements, including a rope bridge, baseball-themed tunnel, and balance beam. A new swing bay with ADA-accessibility was also installed on the playground. The local community was engaged in the design process and the City hopes the new play area will provide the more than 4,000 residents that live within walking distance with a safe and positive recreation experience.

Read a press release about the project


The Farm Recreation Area

$44,540 grant to Town of Frederick

With the help of an LPOR Mini grant, the Town of Frederick used GOCO funds to enhance “The Farm,” an outdoor recreation area located in the Johnson Farm neighborhood. The new space was built on an existing four-acre lot located within walking distance of 1,700 town residents. The new play area includes a basketball court, pickleball court, four-square space, gaga ball pit, and picnic area. The new park will provide safe access to recreation opportunities for children and adults of all ages and abilities.

Explore the Town of Frederick’s outdoor amenities