On October 15, with the backdrop of the South Platte River and a beautiful Colorado day, Board members from Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) congratulated Mayor John Hickenlooper and the City & County of Denver on their success in winning GOCO grants since 1994. The event was one of 15 GOCO is hosting around the state to celebrate its 15th year of awarding grants with Colorado Lottery proceeds.

Standing at Confluence Park, the Mayor was joined by members of Denver City Council and the Colorado General Assembly, Colorado Lottery Director Jack Boehm, The Trust For Public Land and the Colorado Youth Corps Association.

Denver has been successful in garnering almost $16 million in grants since 1994. The signature project to which GOCO awarded $7.75 million is the South Platte River Legacy Project which has resulted in the creation of additional parks and trails along the stretch of the river that runs through Denver. One such park is Commons Park which was the impetus for turning a warehouse district into a vital residential area.

Other projects receiving funds include the Learning Landscapes Project which has resulted in the makeover of dilapidated playgrounds at Denver Public Schools, the Downtown Denver Playground, the Parkfield Recreation Area in Montbello, the Mile High Loop at City Park, and a stretch of the Cherry Creek Trail from Holly to Oneida Street that was dedicated this past weekend. "GOCO grants are a smart community investment," said GOCO Board Chair Norma Anderson. "The projects awarded grants build recreational and economic assets within Colorado communities."

GOCO is the result of a citizens' initiative that was passed by 58% of the voters in 1992. It receives approximately half of Colorado Lottery proceeds-$54.3 million in Fiscal Year 2009. It awards grants to local governments and land trusts, and makes investments through the Colorado Division of Wildlife and Colorado State Parks. More than 3,000 projects have benefited from GOCO grants since 1994. All 64 counties in Colorado have received GOCO grants.

Demand for GOCO dollars continues to outpace funds available. In addition, current population projections for Colorado indicate that another 1 million people will move to the state by 2020 creating a need for additional outdoor recreation areas, and a need to continue to protect valuable land that marks our rich western heritage and draws new residents and tourists to the state.