Why is This Important?

Parks, trails, and open spaces are important factors in ensuring a vibrant and healthy community. The ability to access and enjoy these places is essential to improving the quality of life in Arapahoe County.

What Does It Mean?

Shareback: In 2025, Open Spaces shared a total of $21,630,180.15 with 12 municipalities in Arapahoe County, divided according to the population of each city or town.

Grants: This year, six agencies submitted a total of 11 grant proposals (eight standard grants, two small grants, and one planning grant) requesting a total of $4,825,280, with total matching funds of $12,699,442 (72% of the total project cost). In September 2024, the BOCC approved an allocation of $5.5 million for the 2025 grant cycle so there were funds available for all applications submitted.

Working Groups: In 2025, Open Spaces provided a total of $___________ in funding to support eligible projects by partner agencies.

Definition

Shareback: The Open Space Resolution states that 50% of the open space sales and use tax revenue is automatically set aside and shared with participating municipalities within Arapahoe County based on population. Shareback distribution is calculated annually using sales and use tax collected from May 16 of the previous year through May 15 of the current year and is paid by June 1.

Grants Program: In accordance with the Open Space Resolution, 12% of open space sales and use tax revenue is invested in Arapahoe County communities through a grants program. Each year, incorporated municipalities, recreation districts, and special districts that provide outdoor recreation services are invited to submit proposals for eligible open space, park, and trail projects. After an initial staff review to confirm eligibility, a team of evaluators consisting of OSTAB members and Open Spaces staff members review the applications, participate in site visits and evaluator meetings, and individually rank the grant proposals. Ranking considerations include project scope, need and urgency, matching funds provided, user benefits, community support, the applicant’s ability to complete the project on time and within budget, and the applicant’s capacity to maintain the completed project site. Finally, individual evaluator rankings are averaged to produce a final ranking for each project.

Working Groups: The County’s working groups were established to encourage collaboration with municipalities, recreation districts, and related organizations for the completion and improvement of parks, trails, and open spaces in distinct regions of the County. Historically, Open Spaces has provided financial support to the working groups through multi-year funding commitments that incentivize new project proposals and contributions of matching funds from our partners. These funding requests are considered on a rolling basis.