Garfield County creating Youth Opportunity Grant Program
PRESS RELEASE
November 3, 2026
Garfield County is unveiling a new quarterly Youth Opportunity Grant Program beginning in 2027 that provides up to $50,000 annually for local youth programs. The grant requests are capped at $2,000 for eligible programs, activities, and educational opportunities within Garfield County, and $12,500 is being offered per quarter.
The grant program’s purpose is “intended to expand access to educational enrichment, career and technical education, leadership development, agriculture and 4-H activities, leadership development, career and technical education, educational travel, scholarships, and other opportunities that help young people learn, develop skills, and prepare for future success,” the county’s proposal notes.
This program effectively replaces the county’s long-running quarterly discretionary grant program, which allocated $120,000 annually to local nonprofits. The change was necessitated by a reduction in revenues, primarily driven by a steep decline in oil and gas activity in Garfield County.
“It’s imperative that we do something like this and help people as we have in the past,” said Commissioner Mike Samson. “But as we all know, times have changed. We don’t have the money to do what we have in the past … it would be nice to shift this toward the youth.”
Eligible programs must be legally registered and in good standing in the State of Colorado; directly benefit local youth who reside in Garfield County; identify how the funds are being used to benefit youth; and support “educational, developmental, vocational, agricultural, leadership, or enrichment opportunities.”
Recipients must report back to the Board of County Commissioners about their program’s activities, maintain appropriate financial records, and agree to only use the funds for approved purposes.
The funding can also be utilized to support youth who serve as ambassadors for Garfield County in sporting or rodeo events.
“These kids are representing our county,” said Commissioner Perry Will. “They’re youth ambassadors for both the Board of County Commissioners and Garfield County.”
More information on the Garfield County Youth Opportunity Grant Program will be available online in 2027 at garfieldcountyco.gov.
County grants $29,500 to local nonprofits
The board has announced its fourth-quarter nonprofit discretionary grant awards for 15 local nonprofits in Garfield County. These are the final allocations coming from this program, which is being replaced by the new quarterly Youth Opportunity Grant Program in 2027.
Recipients include:
- Garfield County Search and Rescue ($3,000)
- Western Slope Veterans Coalition ($2,500)
- New Ute Theatre Society ($2,000)
- Colorado River Valley Chamber of Commerce ($2,000)
- Roaring Fork Kayaking Club ($500)
- Girls On the Run ($500)
- Bookcliffs Arts Center ($2,000)
- Free for All Book Fair ($2,000)
- Youthentity ($3,000)
- Carbondale Community Access Radio (KDNK) ($2,000)
- Mount Sopris Nordic Council, Inc. (Spring Gulch Nordic Trail System) ($2,000)
- Andy Zanca Youth Empowerment Program (AZYEP) ($2,000)
- Glenwood Springs Historical Society ($2,000)
- Symphony in the Valley (SITV) ($2,000)
- Glenwood Springs Arts Council ($2,000)
Overall, more than $67,000 was requested from the nonprofits. The funding comes from the board’s nonprofit discretionary fund.
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