Admin & Operating, Mobility Management & Planning Projects

The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) Division of Transit and Rail (DTR) issued the 2026 Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for Administrative, Operating, and Mobility Management (A/O/MM) projects under the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5310 and Section 5311 programs. This NOFA invited applications for transit projects planned to be initiated and completed within the 2026 calendar year. Funding availability remains contingent on federal allocations and subject to the outcome of ongoing litigation affecting U.S. DOT awards. CDOT administers these funds to improve mobility for seniors, individuals with disabilities, and rural populations, providing capital, operating, and management support for eligible public transportation initiatives. The funding scope for this NOFA included an estimated $2,426,792 under FTA Section 5310, designated for enhanced mobility services in rural and small urban areas, and $13,873,180 under FTA Section 5311, supporting formula grants for rural areas. Eligible projects included administrative costs, operating expenses for general public or specialized transportation services, and mobility management activities to improve coordination among service providers. Examples of eligible expenses were fuel, salaries, preventive maintenance, mobility management staffing, travel training, and one-call/one-click information systems. Funds could not be used for unrelated activities such as entertainment expenses or capital acquisitions above $5,000 outside allowable categories. Eligible applicants for Section 5310 funds included private non-profit organizations directly providing transportation services, local public bodies coordinating services for seniors and individuals with disabilities, and certain government authorities where no non-profits exist. Section 5311 funds were available to local governments, federally recognized Tribes, nonprofits, and public transportation operators in rural areas, provided they met threshold criteria including Title VI, ADA compliance, drug and alcohol policies, and procurement procedures. All subrecipients were required to be registered on SAM.gov and demonstrate financial capacity, technical ability, and readiness to implement projects promptly in 2026. Applications opened on June 9, 2025, and closed on July 25, 2025. New applicants or agencies without recent CDOT funding were required to submit a New Applicant Questionnaire by July 7, 2025, to determine eligibility and receive COTRAMS access. Only one application per project was accepted. Applicants had to provide letters of commitment for local match contributions and submit supporting documentation for indirect costs. Projects were evaluated based on completeness, program eligibility, alignment with state or regional transit plans, financial need, service need, and coordination with other providers. A local match was required for all projects: 20% for administrative and mobility management projects, and 50% of net operating costs for operating projects. In-kind contributions could cover up to 50% of the local share if properly documented. Federal funds were awarded on a reimbursement basis, requiring applicants to have sufficient cash flow to cover costs upfront. Awards will be determined by inter-agency review committees, announced in August 2025, followed by contracting steps and funds becoming available in December 2025 for 2026 implementation. This is an annual program, with the next anticipated cycle expected to open in mid-2026 for projects scheduled in 2027. Interested organizations are encouraged to prepare in advance and monitor CDOT announcements for the 2026 NOFA release. Key contacts for future inquiries include Paul DesRocher (paul.desrocher@state.co.us), Julie Howe (julie.howe@state.co.us), Audrey Dakan (audrey.dakan@state.co.us), Kelly Smith (kelly.smith@state.co.us), and Jun Arcilla (jun.arcilla@state.co.us).

Submit New Applicant Questionnaire early, ensure thorough and complete application, verify eligibility and match documentation.