Limited Gaming Impact Grant

The Limited Gaming Impact Grant, administered by the Colorado Division of Local Government, provides financial assistance to local governments for addressing the impacts of limited stakes gaming in specific communities. The program is rooted in the statutory framework established by Colorado Revised Statutes 44-30-1301 and 44-30-1302, which allocate a portion of state taxes from gaming activities in Cripple Creek, Black Hawk, and Central City toward mitigating the effects of gaming on surrounding communities. The primary goal of the grant is to support local entities experiencing documented impacts of gaming by funding public service provision and infrastructure projects that respond directly to those needs. Funding through the Limited Gaming Impact Grant is distributed via a competitive application process. Eligible expenditures under this program include planning, construction, and maintenance of public facilities, as well as the provision of public services that address gaming-related impacts. All applications must demonstrate a clear and quantifiable connection between gaming activities and the proposed services or facilities. This requirement ensures that only needs directly tied to gaming impacts are supported. Eligible projects may include, but are not limited to, infrastructure enhancements, public safety expansions, and community services that have been strained due to gaming activity in adjacent municipalities. The program is open to a defined set of local government entities. This includes counties such as Archuleta, Boulder, Clear Creek, Douglas, El Paso, Fremont, Gilpin, Grand, Jefferson, La Plata, Montezuma, Park, and Teller. Municipalities within these counties are also eligible, excluding the three gaming cities themselves—Black Hawk, Central City, and Cripple Creek. Additionally, special districts providing emergency services within these counties may apply. The program also allows local governments to submit applications on behalf of private nonprofit agencies that serve residents impacted by gaming. This approach supports a collaborative model where nonprofits addressing gaming-related community needs can access funding indirectly. Applicants are required to schedule a meeting with the Program Manager before submitting their application. This step ensures that all documentation requirements are thoroughly understood and helps applicants assess their eligibility and project alignment with program goals. The application itself must be submitted through an online portal; paper or email submissions are not accepted. Supporting documents, including a mockup of the 2025 application, application rating criteria, and property value references, are available on the program webpage to guide applicants through the process. Evaluation criteria are built around the degree of documented gaming impact and the alignment of the proposed project with those impacts. Preference is given to applications that clearly articulate community needs linked to gaming activity and propose realistic, impactful responses. Award decisions are made in accordance with the guidance of the Gaming Impact Advisory Committee. Key program contacts include Program Manager Leslie Jones, located at 1313 Sherman Street, Denver, Colorado, who can be reached via phone at 303-864-7735 or email at [email protected]. Additional inquiries can be directed to the Division of Local Government's helpdesk. Applications for the upcoming cycle must be submitted via the designated online platform. While the exact deadline for 2026 is not yet provided, the program historically issues annual opportunities, with past award data available for both 2024 and 2025. Given this recurring pattern, interested applicants are encouraged to begin preparing early, especially due to the documentation and eligibility requirements. The program's structured engagement process and its commitment to addressing real-world community impacts make it a vital source of support for localities navigating the externalities of limited stakes gaming in Colorado.