FAQs

The Open Space Sales Tax is a sales tax of 0.25% (25¢ on a $100 purchase). It was passed by Adams County voters in 1999 as a 0.20% sales tax (20¢ on a $100 purchase) which would expire at the end of 2006. In 2004, Adams County voters renewed the sales tax through 2026 and increased it to the current level of 0.25%.

The Open Space Sales Tax revenues are distributed in three ways. First, 2% of the total revenue is used for administration expenses. Second, 30% of the remaining monies are distributed back to the taxing entity in the proportion in which they were generated. The taxing entities contributing to the Open Space Sales Tax are: City of Arvada, City of Aurora, Town of Bennett, City of Brighton, City of Commerce City, City of Federal Heights, City of Northglenn, City of Thornton, City of Westminster, and Adams County. Last, the remaining funds are distributed through a competitive grant program.

The types of projects that can be funded through the grant program are parks and/or open space related including: the purchase, construction, and maintenance of: horse, bike or running trails; natural areas with limited development for fishing, hiking, walking or biking; wildlife preserves; lakes for fishing with accessible walks, docks, picnic areas and restrooms; conservation easements on agricultural land; environmental education programs; lands and waterways as community buffers; river and stream corridor land; unimproved flood plains; wetlands; preservation of cemeteries; picnic facilities; and the purchase, construction, equipping and maintenance of: sports fields, golf courses, and recreation centers.

There are two grant cycles per year, one in the Spring and one in the Fall. Please see the grant cycle timelines here.

You must represent a qualified jurisdiction or obtain sponsorship from one of these qualified jurisdictions: City of Arvada, City of Aurora, Town of Bennett, Bennett Park and Recreation District, City of Brighton, City of Commerce City, City of Federal Heights, Hyland Hills Park and Recreation District, City of Northglenn, Strasburg Parks and Recreation District, City of Thornton, City of Westminster, and Adams County.

Typical sponsored applicants include non-profit organizations, metropolitan districts, and Barr Lake State Park. If you are not sure whether you should apply, please call Rae-Anne Reichow at 303.637.8102 or email rareichow@adamscountyco.gov to discuss your organization and project.

After submitting an application, you will be expected to submit a site video. Two meeting are scheduled for each cycle. At the first meeting applicants will present their request to the Open Space Advisory Board, (“OSAB”). At the second meeting the OSAB will make formal recommendations. Next, staff brings the OSAB’s recommendations before the Board of County Commissioner’s for final approval at Public Hearing. Following Public Hearing, you will be asked to execute a grant agreement (contract), which lays out the reimbursement procedures for the grant award. Each grantee is given two years from the public hearing to complete their project. Closeout documentation is submitted at the end of the project and will include invoices, proof of payment, and proof of any in-kind donations. For more detailed information, please contact Rae-Anne Reichow at 303.637.8102 or by email at rareichow@adamscountyco.gov.

After submitting an application, you will be expected to submit a site video. Two meeting are scheduled for each cycle. At the first meeting applicants will present their request to the Open Space Advisory Board, (“OSAB”). At the second meeting the OSAB will make formal recommendations. Next, staff brings the OSAB’s recommendations before the Board of County Commissioner’s for final approval at Public Hearing. Following Public Hearing, you will be asked to execute a grant agreement (contract), which lays out the reimbursement procedures for the grant award. Each grantee is given two years from the public hearing to complete their project. Closeout documentation is submitted at the end of the project and will include invoices, proof of payment, and proof of any in-kind donations. For more detailed information, please contact Rae-Anne Reichow at 303.637.8102 or by email at rareichow@adamscountyco.gov.

If the project received grant funding through the Adams County Open Space Sales Tax, there will be a sign posted at the site that states “This project funded in part with Adams County Open Space sales tax funds.”