Colorado Creates Grants help 187 recipients in over 30 counties across state

STATEWIDE, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Colorado Creative Industries (CCI) division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), along with Gov. Jared Polis, says 187 new recipients will receive Colorado Creates Grants.

According to CCI, the grants help arts programs and activities by giving support for operations so these organizations can put together public programming. Officials say the grants will help organizations in 33 Colorado counties.

“Growing up in a family of artists, I appreciate the difference art makes in our communities. Arts and culture are an essential part of who we are as Coloradans, driving local economies and inspiring creativity. These grants will support the great work of arts organizations across the state who fill daily life with creativity and fun,” Gov. Jared Polis said in a press release. 

CCI says this year, 37% of the awardees are based in rural counties, which they say is a focus of the grant program. They say 20% of the organizations that received grants are smaller organizations with annual operating budgets under $100,000.

The Colorado Creates Grants offer one year of support, with funding amounts ranging from $6,000 to $14,000 based on the organization's cash operating income.

Several counties in southern Colorado, including El Paso, Pueblo, Otero, Custer, Huerfano and Las Animas counties, received funding. More information on the Colorado Creates grants can be found on the OEDIT website.

A full list of the awarded programs from across the state can be on the OEDIT website.

Some of the awarded programs in southern Colorado are:

Custer County:

• Wet Mountain Broadcasting Corp. (KLZR)

Huerfano County:

• Museum of Friends
• Spanish Peaks Arts Council

Las Animas County:

• A.R. Mitchell Museum of Western Art

Otero County:

• Picketwire Players

Pueblo County:

• Pueblo Children's Chorale
• Sangre de Cristo Arts and Conference Center

El Paso County:

• Cheyenne Mountain Public Broadcast House, Inc.
• ChoralSong of Colorado Springs
• Colorado College Summer Music Festival
• Colorado Springs Children's Chorale
• Colorado Springs Youth Symphony Association
• Colorado Vocal Arts Ensemble
• Concrete Couch
• Cottonwood Center for the Arts
• Green Box Arts
• Imagination Celebration
• Rocky Mountain Women's Film
• Youth Documentary Academy

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