Playground equipment grants in Colorado

Great Outdoors Colorado, called GOCO, runs a Community Impact program for new or upgraded parks, trails and outdoor spaces. Awards run from $100,000 to $2,000,000 per project. The high end is very competitive, and GOCO may suggest a smaller amount.

The fiscal year 2027 calendar has two cycles. First cycle grants will be awarded on December 11, 2026. For the second cycle, concept papers are due January 21, 2027. Invited applications are due March 11, 2027, and awards follow in June 2027. GOCO suggests contacting your regional officer at least six months before a concept paper deadline.

The program guidance sets no fixed match. Even so, partner money and community support make a proposal stronger. You must keep the project in good repair for its life, and for no less than 15 years. Project contingency is not a covered cost.

Part of Colorado's park money reaches towns without any application. The Conservation Trust Fund sends lottery proceeds straight to local governments, based on population. The Department of Local Affairs pays it out every quarter for parks, open space and recreation.

There is no contest. Counties, cities, towns and park districts that set up a trust fund get their share. The state counts 64 counties, 272 municipalities and 134 special districts in the program. A special district gets half of a per person share.

For a PTO or church group, this is often the first thing to ask about. Ask your parks director how much trust fund money is set aside. It may help cover the local share of a GOCO or LWCF request, so confirm with grant staff early.

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is a federal program that Colorado Parks and Wildlife runs for the National Park Service. The page lists recent LWCF playgrounds at Birch Park in Rifle and Wright Park in Lakewood. Applications are closed right now.

The LWCF New Grants Manual sets requests between $100,000 and $1,250,000. You match every grant dollar, and the manual asks for at least 10% cash. Volunteer hours and in-kind gifts count, but most other federal money does not. Playgrounds are listed as fixed equipment the grant can buy.

Budget for two required studies: a cultural survey of $4,000 to $8,000 and a $4,000 environmental survey. Payment is by reimbursement, and the state keeps back 5% until the project is finished. Expect the award to take 12 months or more, and finish building within three years.

LWCF in Colorado is for local, county, state and tribal government agencies. The applicant must own the land and record a permanent deed restriction for public recreation. School districts have applied. The 2025 list included Adams County 14 School District, asking $854,755 to rebuild sports fields at Alsup Elementary.

GOCO draws a firmer line. Its eligibility page says school districts, libraries and other nonprofits cannot receive GOCO money. They may partner with their city, county or a land trust to apply. Park and recreation districts set up under Title 32 of state law can apply directly.

A school PTO that wants a shared play area can bring the idea to the town. Our school playground guide helps with a layout that serves recess and the public.

On June 12, 2026, the GOCO board awarded $14,506,272 to 35 projects in 27 counties. South Suburban Park and Recreation District won $900,000 for an inclusive playground at Cornerstone Park. The Town of La Veta won $381,000 to replace its Town Park playground. Without it, local families faced a 32-mile round trip to the next playground.

In the 2025 LWCF application list, Pueblo asked for $430,000 toward Eagleridge Park. The first phase of that $860,000 project includes playground equipment.

Federal and private sources beyond Colorado's lottery and LWCF are collected on our playground grants hub.

Colorado reviewers look for line-item budgets, not round guesses. Send a quote request for your Colorado site, and local dealers and manufacturer reps will price equipment, surfacing and installation in detail.