Local Planning Capacity Grant Program

Application Process

• The next round of applications will open September 1 - 30, 2024, with application review in October and awards estimated in early November 2024.
• An informational webinar for prospective applicants is scheduled on Wednesday, July 31, at 2 p.m.
• Interested applicants must schedule a pre-application meeting with the LPC Program Manager in order to access the grant application form online. The purpose of this meeting is to get feedback on the proposed project and technical assistance before submitting an application.
• Future funding rounds are planned for February 2025 and May 2025 with details to be announced.

What You Need to Know

• Grant funds could support new staff wages, hiring consultants, implementing new systems and technologies, revising land use development codes, regional collaborations, developing future commitments, or other efforts that achieve fast track goals required by Proposition 123.
• Fast Track of affordable housing is the top priority but grant funds can also support increasing planning department capacity, especially planning efforts that impact the number of affordable housing units built towards local Prop 123 commitments.
• 20% required local match
• Suggested maximum award is $200,000

Who Should Apply

• Eligible entities include municipalities, counties, and tribal governments whose Prop 123 baseline and commitment have been accepted by the Division of Housing.
• Any eligible local government that needs help accomplishing local affordable housing goals, Prop 123 commitments, or the Fast Track requirement in Prop 123. 

Guidance on the Implementation of Expedited Review Requirements in Proposition 123

Proposition 123 states that, in order to remain eligible for Proposition 123 funds in the next three-year cycle (2027 to 2029), local governments must demonstrate they have implemented an expedited review process for housing projects where at least half of the units are affordable. The Local Planning Capacity Grant Program provides funding to support local governments with implementation of this requirement.

While the law states that expedited review must take place within 90 calendar days of a complete application submission, there are many additional details to consider. In order to help local governments navigate the expedited review (fast-track) requirements of Proposition 123, the Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) has published guidelines. DOLA’s guidance does not prescribe an approach but instead provides a list of strategies and approaches. Each community will need to determine which strategies are most effective for their local processes.

Learn More About the Expedited Review Requirements in Proposition 123

Estimated Program Timeline and Funding Available

• Approximately $4.4 million is available for the current fiscal year.
  • Three application cycles per year are planned for February, May, and September, with specific dates to be announced on the program website.

Funding Decisions

LPC Grant Awards Round 1, March 2024

LPC Grant Awards Round 2, July 2024

Resources

LPC Grant Program Informational Webinar (April 11, 2024 - recording, slides)

• Register for upcoming webinar on July 31, at 2 p.m.

LPC Program Guidelines (Version 2, dated April 9, 2024)

LPC Grant Program Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) (Version 2, dated April 9, 2024)

LPC Grant Application Template of Questions (Version 2, dated April 9, 2024)

LPC Grant Application Form View

LPC Grant Budget Worksheet (Version 3, updated July 24, 2024)

Program Contact

Robyn DiFalco, LPC Grant Program Manager 
robyn.difalco@state.co.us or 720-682-5202

Schedule a meeting with the Program Manager to discuss a potential Local Planning Capacity proposal.