Arapahoe County staff recommend nearly all open‑space grants; commissioners move evaluation team—s slate to business meeting

Arapahoe County open‑spaces staff on Thursday presented their recommended awards for the county—s voter‑approved open‑space grant program and asked the Board of County Commissioners which recommendation to carry forward to the board—s business meeting for public hearing.

The county allocated $5.5 million for the 2025 open‑space grants and received requests totaling $4,825,280, staff said. "The evaluation committee recommended 11 of those 11 applications for funding," staff said during the presentation, and the evaluation team and advisory board differed slightly on one project, creating roughly a $600,000 difference between two recommended funding totals.

Why it matters: the evaluation team—s recommended awards carry matching funds that staff said would leverage roughly $11.4 million–$12.7 million in additional investment from applicants and partners. High match rates lower the county—s share and extend the program—s impact across multiple municipal and recreation districts.

What staff recommended: the evaluation panel recommended advancing 11 applications for funding, including eight projects eligible for the standard grant maximums (up to $600,000), two small grants and one planning grant. Projects recommended by both the evaluation panel and the advisory board included improvements at Cornerstone Park (South Suburban Park & Rec District; $600,000 request), Centennial Park trail and fishing dock improvements (City of Englewood; $500,000 request) and several sports‑facility and playground renovation projects (requests ranged from about $24,800 for a small‑grant tree project to $600,000 for major park renovations).

Jackass Hill (City of Littleton): the advisory board recommended withholding funding for Littleton's Jackass Hill (also referred to in materials as Jock Accel Park), while the evaluation team recommended funding it. Staff stressed the board would be voting on the original application as submitted; post‑award project modifications can be proposed only after a grant agreement is executed and must be reviewed by staff and the advisory body. "A grant applicant does not have the ability to change their project between the time they submitted the application and the time that you all vote," staff said, noting the city and neighborhood reported later discussions that may lead to a modified site plan after a grant agreement.

Discussion and outcome: commissioners pressed staff on details including the scope, maintenance and durability of project elements (for example, warning that dyed/colored concrete can deteriorate faster than undyed concrete). After discussion, Commissioner Warren Gully moved to advance the evaluation team—s recommendation to the board—s business meeting so the projects could receive a public hearing; commissioners indicated a unanimous thumbs‑up to move the evaluation team—s slate forward for public comment and final action.

What this does not do: advancing the evaluation team—s recommendation places the recommended projects on the business meeting agenda for a public hearing and a later vote; it does not commit county funds to contracts or change award terms. If a grantee and the county later agree that a different scope is preferable, staff said a formal modification process exists that would require staff review and advisory board approval before the county executes a revised grant agreement.

Next steps: staff will place the evaluation team—s recommended slate on the business meeting agenda for public hearing. Commissioners said they expect additional public commentary during that hearing and reminded applicants that final approval at the business meeting is a separate action from today—s decision to place the item on the agenda.

Sources: presentation and staff remarks at the Arapahoe County study session. "The evaluation committee recommended 11 of those 11 applications for funding," staff said during the presentation, and commissioners then voted to move the evaluation team recommendation forward to the business meeting for public hearing.