The Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) is pleased to announce the 2026 Local Planning Capacity Grant Program.
Donor Name: Colorado Department of Local Affairs
State: Colorado
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 02/26/2026
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned
Details:
The intent of the program is to increase the capacity of local government planning departments to address affordable housing, especially by expediting development review, permitting, and zoning of affordable housing. The top priority for funding award decisions is to support local governments’ efforts to implement the new fast track requirements (opens in new window) in Proposition 123 but grant funds can also support increasing planning department capacity to advance local affordable housing goals, implement strategies to increase the number of affordable units built, and to achieve Prop 123 commitments.
Funding Information
- Approximately $6 million is available to be awarded annually.
- Award amounts: The suggested maximum award amount is $250,000. Larger grant requests may be considered, particularly for multi-jurisdictional projects.
Eligible Projects
Projects are generally considered allowable/eligible if they are:
- focused on land use planning or community development activities; and
- will lead to new development or preservation of affordable housing; or
- add capacity to a local and tribal government’s planning and permitting work to achieve Proposition 123 requirements (fast track or unit counts).
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible entities include municipalities, counties, and tribal governments whose Proposition 123 baseline and commitments have been accepted by DOLA.
- Collaborative, multijurisdictional or regional projects are allowed, with one entity acting as the lead fiscal agent for the application and project implementation.
- Interested applicants must schedule a pre-application meeting with LPC program staff in order to access the online application form. The purpose of this meeting is to get feedback and technical assistance before submitting an application.
- Prior to an award, local governments must be in compliance with all laws and provisions governing their operations, including but not limited to budgets, elections and audit filings.
For more information, visit DOLA.
