The CRO works across State agencies and with local governments to embed resilience in all of our work. In doing so, we provide the following funding, tools, and best practices for communities to use as they build out their own resilience-related work.
Funding
The CRO supports the creation and update of the comprehensive Local Community Funding Guide, which includes funding sources across all state and federal agencies, to help local governments and nonprofit community organizations navigate various funding sources available through a variety of funders. In addition, the CRO supports and/or manages the following funds directly:
- The Energy and Mineral Impact Fund (EIAF) offers planning grants so that communities can hire consultants. See the EIAF webpage and talk to your Regional Manager about pursuing these funds for resilience-related planning efforts.
- The Climate Resilience Challenge funds Climate Action Plans and projects by local governments.
- The Microgrids for Community Resilience (MCR) grant program funds planning and construction microgrid projects to support communities increasing energy resilience.
- The Rural Economic Development Initiative is designed to help rural communities comprehensively diversify their local economy and create a more resilient Colorado.
- See the CRO Resilience Funding webpage for more.
Best Practices
- The CRO helps embed resilience in agencies through the Colorado Resiliency Playbook, a tool for agencies (especially State agencies) to use in institutionalizing resiliency principles and practices into their operations and investments.
- In order to support local communities in setting resilience-related goals and metrics to track progress, the CRO launched the Colorado Community Resilience Assessments & Actions Guide.
- See the CRO Resiliency Resources webpage for more.
The CRO is currently working across State agencies and with partners to develop a Local Government Climate Action Program that will catalyze climate action at the local level by coordinating cross-agency State efforts and funding to incentivize and support local governments in achieving priority climate actions. Stay tuned for opportunities to engage, guide, and provide feedback on the program in 2024.