“Vibrant downtown business districts are the mark of successful communities,” Gov. Ritter said. “These funds will help Colorado communities improve their central business districts and create a brighter and more sustainable future. Thank you to the federal government for supporting Colorado communities.”
Gov. Ritter launched the Sustainable Main Streets Initiative in April, signing an executive order directing state agencies to pool resources to help Five Points, Rifle, Monte Vista and Fowler address needs in their downtown corridors. The initiative focuses on finding solutions that meet the unique needs of these communities and incorporate sustainability and energy efficiency. The effort has been led by Lt. Gov. Barbara O’Brien and Susan Kirkpatrick, executive director of the Colorado Department of Local Affairs.
Today’s grant funding is from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Transportation. The announcement was made during a news conference at the Blair-Caldwell Library in Five Points.
Officials also announced two other federal grants. The City and County of Denver received $2.9 million from HUD for housing and transportation development in communities surrounding the West Corridor Light Rail line that is currently being built between Denver and Golden.
The Environmental Protection Agency also awarded two grants, each worth $175,000, to the City and County of Denver and the City of Aurora to address work in Brownfield areas that have been affected by contaminants.
