Grants
Municipalities work with the same financial challenge that faces most businesses and households in their communities: stretching dollars to accomplish as much as possible.
To this end, the City of Montrose has a successful grants program that has garnered received numerous state and federal grants over the years. These awards have helped to effectively recapture tax dollars that have left the community and re-invest those funds in Montrose.
Among the city's most successful grant projects are those that strengthen relationships with local government agencies, non-profit organizations, and businesses by working collaboratively. This approach has garnered grant funds that have gone toward a broad range of community programs and projects.
Grant Selection Criteria
In pursuing grants, the city looks for opportunities that:
- Leverage local tax dollars and resources to incentivize economic growth, strengthen city infrastructure, and improve the delivery of services
- Provide social, cultural, and recreational opportunities for the community
- Are conducive to partnering with other community organizations, which increases the likelihood of success, helps prevent competing grant applications from within the community, and ensures that grant-funded projects provide benefits to a broader segment of the population
- Impose minimal administrative and regulatory overhead costs
- Align with existing project and community priorities
- Allow local non-profit organizations to receive grants with the city acting as a pass-through agency
Organizations interested in seeking a grant partnership with the City of Montrose should review the city's Grant Management Policy and submit the Grant Partnership Request Form.
Success Stories
Over the past decade, the city has been the recipient of millions of dollars in grant funds from state and federal agencies, as well as private foundations. This funding has been applied to a wide range of uses ranging from infrastructure projects to public safety services. The city is also proud of local partnerships that have provided outside grant funding to community organizations.
Contact Us
400 E Main Street
P.O. Box 790
Montrose, CO 81402
Ph: 970-240-1427
Office Hours
Monday - Thursday
7 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Related Pages
2021 Grants
Montrose Potato Growers Building Exterior Rehabilitation
Grantor: History Colorado State Historical Fund (SHF)
Grant Award: $250,000 Total Project Cost: $571,191
Project: The City of Montrose was selected by the SHF to receive $250,000 to support rehabilitation of the 1908 Montrose Potato Growers Association building located at 39 West Main Street. Grant funds will be used for stabilization and rehabilitation of the historic decks around the building, window and door restoration, and exterior masonry repointing. The building is one of the most iconic structures in Montrose, having served a vital role in making Montrose a regional hub for agriculture. It was completed in 1908, but remained underutilized since the 1960s and fell into disrepair. Local construction company Stryker & Company, Inc. was selected to complete the project in accordance with the city’s procurement policy. High Oasis, LLC, which owns the building, will enter into a contract with the city for the completion of the project and will be required to provide invoices and copies of paid receipts in order to be reimbursed by the State Historical Fund. High Oasis, LLC is providing all matching funds for the project. The project will begin in Spring 2022.
Historic Context Survey
Grantor: History Colorado
Grant Award: $25,000 Total Project Cost: $25,000
Project: The City of Montrose was selected to receive $25,000 from History Colorado to prepare a historic context survey to inform historic preservation efforts in Montrose’s Tortilla Flats neighborhood, located on the city’s northwest side. The project is an initiative of the City’s Historic Preservation Commission (HPC). The historic context survey of the Tortilla Flats neighborhood will provide insight into the history of the neighborhood, identify its significant resources, and plan for how to best recognize and potentially designate the neighborhood.
The city was awarded the grant by History Colorado through the Certified Local Government (CLG) Subgrant Program. The survey is underway.
West Main Complete Streets
Grantor: Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT)
Grant Award: $2,000,000 Total Project Cost: $2,400,000
Project: The City of Montrose was selected to receive $2,000,000 in funds from the Colorado Department of Transportation, CDOT, to improve the safety, mobility, and economic development of Montrose's West Main Street corridor. The focus area for the improvements spans from Cascade Avenue in downtown Montrose along Main Street to the West Main Trailhead at the Uncompahgre River. This project aims to create a safe corridor between the city's downtown business district and the Uncompahgre River, which is viewed as vital in terms of connecting downtown, recreational amenities along the river, and the growing residential neighborhoods of west Montrose. The project will be designed in 2022 and is anticipated to start construction in 2023.
2020 Grants
Black Canyon Boys and Girls Club
Grantor: Department of Local Affairs (DOLA)
Grant Award: $600,000 Total Project Cost: $2,961,359
Project: The City of Montrose in partnership with the Black Canyon Boys and Girls Club was awarded a $600,000 Community Development Block Grant through DOLA to assist with the construction of the club's new facility located on the southeast corner of 6700 and Niagara Road. More than 600 children from Montrose and Olathe who attend the club are provided the opportunity to learn about careers, develop decision-making and leadership skills, create personal goals, build an awareness of how to be self-sufficient adults, strengthen social and interpersonal skills, and appreciate the value of the arts.
The club has outgrown its current facility and now has a two-year waiting list for new members. The facility will include a large gym, outdoor spaces and playgrounds, a modern tech lab, a music room, pre-teen dedicated space, and a secure entrance, among other amenities. The expansion is expected to eventually double or triple the club’s daily attendance. The project is currently in the design phase.
Centennial Middle School
Grantor: Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO)
Grant Award: $350,000 Total Project Cost: $600,000
Project: The City of Montrose, in partnership with the Montrose County School District RE-1J, received a $350,000 Local Park and Outdoor Recreation grant from GOCO to build a universally-accessible playground at Centennial Middle School. The playground was designed for individuals with significant cognitive and physical differences and will serve children and families from all Western Slope communities. Its features include a ramped play structure, swings, a seesaw, a music station, and picnic tables, all of which are wheelchair accessible. The park also has secure fencing and artificial turf surfacing to ensure safety. The playground is used by the school district during school hours and is open to the public during evenings and weekends. The project was completed in 2021.
Uncompahgre River Improvements Project
Grantor: Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW)
Grant Award: $300,000 Total Project Cost: $1,600,000
Project: The City of Montrose received $300,000 from the CPW for improvements on the Uncompahgre River. Funds were used for Phase 1 of river restoration improvements on 0.65 miles, or 3,400 feet, of the Uncompahgre River. The project reestablished a resilient channel, connected the river to its floodplain, created a stable riparian zone, improved fish and other aquatic habitats, stabilized the river banks, and provided more river access to the public. The project was completed in 2021.
Uncompahgre River Improvements Project
Grantor: Colorado Water Conservation Board Watershed Restoration Grant
Grant Award: $400,000 Total Project Cost: $1,600,000
Project: The city was selected to receive $400,000 for improvements on the Uncompahgre River. The grant funds were used to begin Phase 1 of river restoration improvements on 0.65 miles, or 3,400 feet, of the Uncompahgre River. The project included reestablishing a resilient river channel, connecting the river to its floodplain, creating a stable riparian zone, improving fish and other aquatic habitats, stabilizing the river banks, and providing river access to the public.
Gray and Black Market Marijuana Enforcement Grant
Grantor: Department of Local Affairs
Grant Award: $69,446 Total Project Cost: $69,446
Project: The city was awarded $69,446 to help cover the costs associated with the investigation and prosecution of black-market marijuana production. Funds covered costs for personnel and equipment to investigate, enforce, and prosecute illegal marijuana grow and sale operations.
Opportunity Zone Technical Assistance Grant
Grantor: Department of Local Affairs
Grant Award: $25,000 Total Project Cost: $50,000
Project: The City of Montrose, in partnership with Montrose County, was awarded $25,000 to prepare an Opportunity Zone prospectus to attract new investment in and around Montrose. The Opportunity Zone program was created as part of the 2017 federal tax reform package also known as the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act," to encourage capital investment in low-growth and economically distressed communities across the country. The resulting Opportunity Zone prospectus is a marketing tool that is provided to assist investors in learning about the community’s growth priorities. The prospectus includes data on the community and population, a profile of strategic advantages, and an outline of important projects in Montrose that will accept Opportunity Zone investments. The city and county each contributed $12,500 toward the project.
Colorado Youth Corps Association
Grantor: Great Outdoors Colorado
Grant Award: $27,000 Total Project Cost: $35,713
Project: The City of Montrose was selected by the Colorado Youth Corps Association and Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) to receive three weeks of work from the Western Colorado Conservation Corps (WCCC) to assist with the removal of invasive Russian olive from the riparian corridor at Cerise Park in 2019. The city supported the efforts of the crew by providing an in-kind match of $8,713.
Cedar Creek Cemetery - Ground Penetrating Radar
Grantor: History Colorado - State Historical Fund
Grant Award: $9,998 Total Project Cost: $9,998
Project: History Colorado - State Historical Fund awarded approximately $10,000 to the city to conduct ground-penetrating radar assessments of a portion of Section F at Cedar Creek Cemetery. The section is one of the oldest sections of the cemetery. The assessment was non-invasive and non-destructive to burial sites.
Holly Park and Riverbottom Drive Renovation Project
Grantor: Department of Local Affairs
Grant Award: $500,000 Total Project Cost: $2,486,003
Project: The City of Montrose, in partnership with the Montrose Recreation District, was awarded $500,000 to support the renovation of Holly Park and Riverbottom Drive. Funds were awarded through the Energy/Mineral Impact Assistance Fund (EIAF) Program. The city’s portion of the project included widening Riverbottom Drive, adding sidewalks, aligning the Riverbottom Drive/South Rio Grande Avenue intersection, constructing a four-foot-wide bicycle lane, and piping the irrigation ditch which allowed for 50 new, paved parking spaces. A formal entrance was created with a large monument sign, landscaping, and an informational kiosk. The MRD’s portion included removal of deteriorated tennis courts, adding 77 new parking spaces, including two EV Charging Stations, expanding the softball field, accommodating a larger multi-purpose field, landscaping, relocation of electrical panels, construction of new dugouts, replacing field lights, expanding the basketball court, and drainage improvements.
Historic Montrose County Jail - Construction Documents
Grantor: History Colorado - State Historical Fund
Grant Award: $34,862 Total Project Cost: $46,483
Project: History Colorado - State Historical Fund awarded the city $34,862 to begin preparing construction documents to guide preservation and restoration efforts for the historic 1885 jail located behind Abel’s Hardware at 217 South First Street. The city's vision for the jail, a brief home to the infamous outlaw Butch Cassidy, is to preserve the interior of the building and restore the exterior to its original condition. The city acquired the building in 2016.
Maslow Academy - Infant and Early Childcare
Grantor: Department of Local Affairs
Grant Award: $600,000 Total Project Cost: $1,348,001
Project: The City of Montrose, in partnership with Maslow Academy, received $600,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) to assist with the purchase of the property the academy was leasing at 120 North Hillcrest Drive. Maslow Academy is a Colorado non-profit 501(c) 3 organization that provides infant and early childcare and education through the fifth grade. Maslow Academy met the federal low-to-moderate income requirements to be eligible for the CDBG grant. The grant required Maslow to ensure that at least 51% of its service units are provided to low-income earning households for five years. Maslow Academy and other project partners provided the required grant match.
Denver and Rio Grande Depot - Roof Renovation
Grantor: History Colorado - State Historical Fund
Grant Award: $200,000 Total Project Cost: $271,128
Project: History Colorado - State Historical Fund awarded the city $200,000 for roof rehabilitation work at the city-owned historic Denver and Rio Grande Depot, located at 21 North Rio Grande Avenue. The Montrose County Historical Society leases the building for use as the Montrose County Historical Museum. The city matched the $200,000 grant with $71,128 in local funds. All 6,000 Mission-style roof tiles were removed to replace the roof underlayment. The original tiles were then re-installed.
Woodgate Trails Senior Apartments
Grantor: Department of Local Affairs
Grant Award: $500,000 Total Project Cost: $13,000,000
Project: DOLA provided $500,000 in federal Community Development Block Grant funds to support the acquisition of property for the development of Woodgate Trails Senior Apartments, a 50-unit housing development for individuals aged 55 and over. The project, constructed and managed by Four Corners Development LLC, helped meet the growing demand for affordable senior housing in the community.
School Yard Initiative — Columbine Middle School
Grantor: Great Outdoors Colorado
Grant Award: $110,000 Total Project Cost: $161,043
Project: Montrose County School District received funds to construct a nature-based play yard and outdoor learning center at Columbine Middle School with features designed by students. The addition of grant funds added an exciting new element to the new school facility and helped to maintain the overall construction budget.
2017 Grants
Colorado Youth Corps Association
Grantor: Great Outdoors Colorado
Grant Award: $18,000 Total Project Cost: $24,223
Project: Western Colorado Conservation Youth Corps members removed invasive Russian olive and tamarisk at Cerise, Riverbottom, and Taviwach parks.
Connecting People to their Parks and Recreation — Connect Trail
Grantor: Great Outdoors Colorado
Grant Award: $2,000,000 Total Project Cost: $4,470,449
Project: This project constructed 2.25 miles of concrete trail to connect city residents to their parks and recreational facilities. The Montrose Community Recreation Center serves as the southern trailhead. The trail runs along Dry Cedar Creek, beneath the Highway 550 underpass, and heads westward to the existing river trail. On the north end, the trail begins at the West Main Street Trailhead, runs beneath the Highway 90 underpass, and heads north to the Montrose Urban Renewal Authority development.
Brownfields Assessment Grant
Grantor: U.S. EPA
Grant Award: $300,000 Total Project Cost: $315,500
Project: Grant funds were used to complete environmental assessments on underutilized properties in Montrose where the reuse of the property could be complicated by the presence, or potential presence, of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. These funds complemented another Brownfields grant received in 2015.
2016 Grants
Sharing Ministries Food Bank
Grantor: Department of Local Affairs
Grant Award: $600,000 Total Project Cost: $1,616,792
Project: This project involved the construction of a 9,000-square-foot food bank, parking, landscaping, and access for Sharing Ministries, Inc., a non-profit organization whose long-standing vision is to alleviate hunger in the communities of southwest Colorado. The organization provides nourishing food to needy individuals and families, promotes public awareness of hunger issues and nutrition, and assists in self-sufficiency.
The PIC Place
Grantor: Department of Local Affairs
Grant Award: $600,000 Total Project Cost: $2,174,956
Project: Funding was used to rehabilitate a vacant 9,400-square-foot commercial property to facilitate the relocation and expansion of the Community Dental Clinic in Montrose and the creation of The PIC Place. This efficient healthcare facility includes 15 individual treatment areas for primary care and dental services, offices for delivering behavioral health services, small group and community education rooms, and open, shared provider workspaces allowing effective team care. Services are provided to persons of low income and the medically underserved.
Midwestern Colorado Mental Health Center
Grantor: Department of Local Affairs
Grant Award: $600,000 Total Project Cost: $1,300,000
Project: This grant helped the Midwestern Colorado Mental Health Center expand its outpatient clinic, remodel its reception and waiting room areas, and add parking spaces at its headquarters in Montrose.