Town Administrator April 6, 2020

Erie Awarded Energy Grants
The Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) awarded the Town of Erie two substantial grants this week. DOLA said, “Competition for these limited funds was intense and we had many more requests than we had funds available.” In spite of that intense competition, Erie earned not just one, but two grant awards, totaling over $1.5 million! DOLA awarded the Town $750,000 for the final phase of Erie Community Park, and $766,704 for the RENW Erie Water Treatment Plant (WTP) Hydropower. For an illustration of the Park plan, see this link. The Town will use the Hydropower grant to install a turbine in the raw water supply pipe at the WTP. Using water pressure in the pipe, the turbine will supply roughly 20% of the electricity used at the WTP, saving the Town—and Town rate payers—even more money!

The State has awarded Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance grants from severance tax proceeds throughout the State for many years. The last grant to Erie helped fund construction of the Erie Community Center. The State awarded the Hydropower grant under a new renewable and clean energy initiative launched by Governor Polis. The State scores grant applications based on connection to energy impact, degree of need, measurable outcomes, and relationship to community goals, among other criteria.

Video by Mayor Jennifer Carroll on Small Business Grant Program

Town to Award Grants to Small Businesses

The Town Administrator, acting as the Town’s Emergency Manager, and with the support of the Board of Trustees, is allocating $300,000 for grants to small businesses facing hardship during the current state of emergency. Eligible businesses must meet specific criteria, including having a sound business plan showing how they will use the grant to make it through 2020. Grant awards will range from $5,000 for businesses with 2-10 employees to $10,000 for businesses with 11+ employees. To review the full criteria for the Small Business Emergency Relief Grant Program visit: www.erieco.gov/COVIDBusinessGrant.

Election Day

Election staff are available at the Voter Service Center through April 7, Election Day, from 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. to assist with replacement ballots and other questions. The only ballot drop-off is located at the main entrance of Town Hall. Unofficial results will be posted on the evening of April 7 on the website and Town social media. Official final results will not be announced until April 16, at which time the Town Clerk will certify the results. Elected Mayor and Trustees will take office on April 28, 2020. For questions email TownClerk@erieco.gov.

Thursday Senior Lunch

The coordinators of the Active Adult Program continue to serve Senior Lunch on Thursdays! To ensure full compliance with the Governor’s orders, patrons drive to the Erie Community Center and staff deliver boxed lunches to their vehicles. For those patrons who are unable to drive or cannot leave their home, a volunteer may deliver lunches to their door. If you would like to take advantage of the Drive-By Senior Lunch Program, please contact Cindy Hickman at chickman@erieco.gov or 303-926-2795 by Tuesday of each week.

Parks and Recreation

Parks and Recreation staff continue to move forward with several projects:

The Clayton Park construction project is making great progress. The contractor recently poured concrete in the playground area and prepped portions of the internal loop trail.
Staff recently submitted a grant application to the State Historical Fund to offset the cost of a site survey, geotechnical report. and grading/utility construction documents for Schofield Farm.
Staff is reviewing construction documents for the Coal Creek Disc Golf Course with construction planned to begin in the summer.

Water Operations During COVID-19

Public Works staff is committed to ensuring all residents have clean and safe water. Having fully operational drinking water and wastewater services is critical to containing COVID-19 and protecting the Town from other public health risks. Wastewater and water treatment professionals continue to bring the full range of capabilities and resources, with emergency protocols in mind if needed, for the duration of the pandemic, every single day.