The Office of Just Transition is working alongside coal communities in Colorado to support long-term transition strategies to create family-sustaining jobs, broader property tax bases, and measurably more economic diversity.
Grants
OJT Funding Opportunities
Since 2021, over $15M has been earmarked by OJT and OEDIT for investment in coal communities through two phases of grant awards.
| The West End of Montrose County | $5M |
| The Yampa Valley | $7.9M |
| Morgan County | $.93M |
| Pueblo County | $.93M |
| Delta, Gunnison, La Plata, El Paso, Larimer Counties | $.93M |
- Phase II Community Assistance Grants - Accepting Applications!
The Office of Just Transition (OJT) and the Office of Economic Development & International Trade (OEDIT) are partnering to provide $9.6 million in Coal Transition Community Grants to communities whose economies have traditionally relied on the coal industry. These grants are intended to support regional economic and workforce development activities that expand local business, create new good-paying jobs, and create more diversified and strong local economies.
Read the funding guidance.
Watch the funding webinar
Questions? Contact Cassie Mason - cassie.mason@state.co.us
- Phase I Community Assistance Grants - Limited Funding Still Available
$5.9M was made available for Phase I Grant Awards. $5.147 has been awarded.
Read the Phase I grant guidance document.
Links to Application Forms:
- Morgan County Funding Request Form
- Pueblo Funding Request Form
- West End Funding Request Form
- Yampa Valley Funding Request Form
Tier Two Transition Communities Application Form:
- Funded Projects
See a list of awarded grants.
Read OJT's 2023 Grant Report.
Who Can Apply for OJT Community Assistance?
Eligible entities in Coal Transition Communities may receive OJT Community Assistance funding.
Tier One Coal Transition Communities are: Morgan County, Pueblo County, the West End of Montrose County (including the Town of Norwood in San Miguel County), Moffat County, Rio Blanco County, and Routt County.
Tier Two Coal Transition Communities are: Delta County, Gunnison County, El Paso County, La Plata County, Larimer County.
Eligible entities are: Economic development districts, counties, municipalities, or other political subdivisions of the State (including public K12 schools and special districts), Indian tribes, Registered apprenticeship programs, Institutions of higher education, Public or private nonprofit organizations or associations.
Other Assistance
Grant Writing Assistance
If you are an eligible entity located in a coal community and need assistance with grant writing, please contact Cassie Mason (cassie.mason@state.co.us). OJT can provide a grant writer to support projects that:
- support targeted economic development
- assist with regional capacity for coordination of economic development and worker assistance programs
- support infrastructure projects
- support workforce development
Other Resources
News and Information
- Learn about Coal in Colorado
- Read the Just Transition Action Plan - The Just Transition Action Plan, originally published in 2020, is undergoing an update. The updated Action Plan will be completed at the end of 2024.
- CO Energy Transition Resources Webinar: Watch the webinar recording (password 7$8%cfgK) to learn how you could connect your local project to state and federal funding opportunities that are targeted to communities transitioning from coal. You will learn about opportunities and connect with experts on several resources (see attachments):
Keep Up with the Office of Just Transition
Please share your email address through the following form so that we may send you updates.
For information, contact Kirstie at kirstie.mcpherson@state.co.us, OJT's Economic Development and Community Engagement Manager