To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
Through: David L. Corliss, Town Manager
From: Kristin Read, Assistant Town Manager
Title
Discussion/Direction: America 250 - Colorado 150 Grants
Body
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Executive Summary
In October, the Town launched two grant opportunities associated with the celebration of America 250 - Colorado 150 - Service Contract Partner and Community Organization grants. Applications for those programs closed December 19.
The purpose of this agenda item is to provide information and recommendations relative to the applications received. A third program, providing Neighborhood Grants, also recently launched. Those awards will be processed administratively.
Discussion
Service Contract Partner Grants
The America 250 - Colorado 150 Service Contract Grant program aims to enhance the great lineup of events and initiatives brought to the community each year by the Town’s service contract partners: the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce, Castle Rock Economic Development Council, Castle Rock Historical Society/Museum, Castle Rock Senior Center, Douglas County Community Foundation, Douglas County Housing Partnership, Douglas County Youth Initiative, Downtown Development Authority and Downtown Merchants Association.
The Town encouraged these entities to pursue these funds to find unique and creative ways to celebrate America and Colorado with the community that go above and beyond their typical plans for community events and initiatives. Up to four grants of up to $15,000 each were envisioned via this program.
Four of the nine partner entities applied under this program - the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce, the Douglas County Community Foundation, the Douglas County Housing Partnership and the Downtown Development Authority. Review their proposal letters in Attachment A. Staff is recommending awarding grants totaling $45,000 to the three entities that met the program’s criteria of celebrating America 250 - Colorado 150 and engaging Castle Rock residents in the celebration. Following is a high-level summary of the recommended requests:
Chamber of Commerce
Purpose of request: Fair Parade, Artfest and Starlighting enhancements
Amount of request: $15,000
Explanation of how the project celebrates America 250 - Colorado 150 and engages Castle Rock residents in the celebration: Special prize, banners, floats and more in the parade, which 18,000 residents attend; special artworks, contests and music at Artfest, which 12,000 residents attend; and commemorative ornament giveaway for Starlighting attendees
Douglas County Housing Partnership
Purpose of request: storytelling and mural project
Amount of request: $15,000
Explanation of how the project celebrates America 250 - Colorado 150 and engages Castle Rock residents in the celebration: local seniors will be invited to share stories, which will be translated into a mural at the Reyn Rock building at 403 Perry St., that will be unveiled with a community celebration
Downtown Development Authority
Purpose of request: light pole banners; red, white and blue flower boxes; and American and Colorado Flags
Amount of request: $15,000
Explanation of how the project celebrates America 250 - Colorado 150 and engages Castle Rock residents in the celebration: all items will be highly visible to Downtown visitors throughout 2026
Community Organization Grants
The Community Organization grants aim to get nonprofit organizations, homeowners associations and similar entities involved in the celebration of America 250 - Colorado 150. Castle Rock organizations were encouraged to undertake imaginative efforts to commemorate and celebrate the Country and State’s history, using three grants of up to $10,000 each.
Three groups applied under this program - the Rocky Mountain Wildlife Alliance, the Haven Home Owners Association and the Castle Rock Historical Society. Review their applications in Attachment B. Staff is recommending awarding grants to all three entities, totaling $22,021.
Following is a high-level summary of the applications:
Rocky Mountain Wildlife Alliance
Project description: provide 20 free community programs throughout Castle Rock during summer 2026, leading up to one larger event with a community partner for Independence Day and Colorado’s 150th birthday. The events will feature live ambassador raptors - hawks, owls, falcons and a new bald eagle.
Amount of request: $10,000
Haven Home Owners Association
Project description: HavenFest neighborhood event with flag-making, a musical performance, food, games and more, estimated to be attended by 70 to 80 residents.
Amount of request: $2,200
Castle Rock Historical Society
Project description: collection of “mock-up” façades (replicas) of historic Castle Rock buildings from near 1876. The replicas will include the 1875 Cantril (First) Courthouse, the 1873 City Hotel (moved to Castle Rock in 1877) and a “Star Saloon.” The replicas are planned as a foundational effort to build a replica of Castle Rock in the late 1800s, building on the 1981 celebration of the 100th anniversary of Castle Rock, in which a block of replica buildings was made and displayed on Wilcox Street. A skilled team will design and fabricate the replicas with lumber and plywood, scaling them to emulate the dimensions of the originals, with heights of approximately 8 to 12 feet. They would be ready in May 2026 for display at local America 250 - Colorado 150 festivities.
Amount of request: $9,821
Budget Impact
Up to $90,000 has been allocated toward these two grant programs, and staff is recommending awards totaling $67,021.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends awarding grants to six of the seven applicants as outlined herein.
Proposed Motion
“I move to approve grant awards as recommended in staff’s memo.”
Alternative Motions
“I move to approve the grant awards with the following changes:____.”
“I move to continue this item to [date] to allow time for:_____.”
Attachments
Attachment A: Service Contract Partner Requests
Attachment B: Community Organization Applications