The provision of high-speed broadband services can play a critical role in enhancing local government operations and community development efforts. Local governments can play a role assisting public institutions and private businesses, as well as local citizens, to gain access to reliable broadband service at affordable costs.
Such locally initiated actions can be undertaken under local authority to enhance economic development, improve distance learning opportunities, promote inter-jurisdictional communication, and improve health care delivery and to meet citizens’ requests for better access to the breadth of services available over broadband.
DOLA and the Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Fund program work collaboratively with the Colorado Broadband Office to fund eligible middle mile open access projects. For a comprehensive list of State of Colorado funding opportunities available for broadband projects, please visit the Colorado Broadband Office Funding Opportunities web page.
Who Should Apply
Energy/Impact Assistance Fund grants are directed by statute to communities that are economically or socially impacted by the development of energy and mineral resources. Grants are also awarded based on financial need, among other review criteria. Therefore, the majority of grant funding is directed to smaller and more rural communities where sufficient broadband service is lacking.
Energy Impact Grants for broadband are made available to support two general areas for middle mile open access projects – planning and provision of infrastructure.
The Application Process
Applications for any of the current Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Fund (EIAF) funding opportunities may be submitted as part of the regularly planned EIAF cycles.
The EIAF Cycle 25-07 application opens on February 28, 2025 and closes on April 1, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.
In order to be accepted into an EIAF grant cycle, applicants must contact their Department of Local Affairs Regional Manager prior to submitting any application and must be "ready to go." Regional manager can also answer any questions regarding preparation for your application.
- Energy/Mineral Impact Assistance Fund Grant Program Guidelines
- Energy/Mineral Impact Assistance Fund Grant Application - PDF or Microsoft Word
- Energy/Mineral Impact Assistance Fund Grant Budget - Financials Template
- MHN Land Use Strategies & Best Practices Form
- 2024 Energy/Mineral Impact Assistance Fund Grant County Impact Scores
The Application Cycle
The Department of Local Affairs is pleased to announce the following schedule for applications in the Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Program:
- Cycle 25-07: Total awards available: To be Announced
- Tier I (up to $200,000) and Tier II ($200,001 to $1,000,000) applications accepted.
- Application period opens: February 28, 2025
- Application period closes: April 1, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.
- Final awards: July 2025
The amounts available in the cycle identified above depend on the revenues generated by severance and federal mineral lease collections.
EIAF Initiatives
In addition, the EIAF program may have additional funding available in Cycle 25-07 for the following initiatives:
- Climate Resilience Challenge: To be announced.
- More Housing Now and Land Use Initiative: To be announced.
Contact Information
Initial Interest
Direct inquiries regarding initial program interest to your Regional Manager. Use the other program contacts once the initial process with your Regional Manager is complete.
Program Contact
Greg Etl
greg.etl@state.co.us
970-380-4065