Great Outdoors Colorado has given the city of Durango a $45,000 award through its mini-grant program for projects costing up to $60,000.
It will fund the Rim Trail Outdoor Classroom near Fort Lewis College.
“In a city where half of the population is students, the new classroom will benefit thousands with its proximity to the college, its ability to accommodate large groups, and its easily accessible location on the Rim Trail,” GOCO said in a news release. “The project’s location provides the optimum geologic vantage point for users and will create a casual learning environment for a variety of students.”
Fort Lewis College students and the city have benefited from GOCO money before. The city was awarded a $1.2 million GOCO grant that helped preserve a parcel of Horse Gulch for outdoor recreation and environmental studies.
Since its creation in 1992, GOCO has financed more than 4,500 projects in all 64 counties without any tax dollar support by setting aside a portion of Colorado Lottery proceeds to fund the state’s parks, trails, wildlife, rivers and open spaces.
GOCO’s independent board awards competitive grants to local governments and land trusts, and makes investments through Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Visit goco.org for more information.
According to the release, “This grant, along with 37 other new grants just awarded by GOCO, supports Gov. John Hickenlooper’s Colorado Beautiful initiative by identifying and filling critical gaps in connectivity for trails and open spaces.”
cmcallister@durangoherald.com
