Becoming an Official Colorado Main Street
First - Ask!
Contact Main Street staff to see if your community would be a good fit.
Colorado Main Street will provide an overview of Main Street to the local champions making the inquiry.
Next - Ask around
Talk with municipal officials and community leaders to gauge interest in the program.
Colorado Main Street staff is always available for presentations.
Become an Aspiring Community
Apply online and send a letter of support from a municipal elected or appointed official.
Note: This holds no obligation to the community, and 69 cities and towns are already aspiring - Check to see if you are one of them!
Build Momentum
Garner support with stakeholders - Who are natural partners in your community for Main Street? Involve the Chamber, Economic Development Council, Business Association, etc.
Colorado Main Street staff is always available for presentations.
Find a Home
Determine where the local program will reside, develop a steering committee or board of directors, identify a champion/point of contact, and review this website.
Contact Colorado Main Street staff for a sample MOU or for any questions.
Organizational Types
The exact type of organization chosen for each Main Street program varies from community to community and may change over time. Regardless of the organizational structure, all Main Streets should have a board or steering committee focused on the Main Street Approach; a Main Street manager/staff is only required as the Excelling or Exceptional status and may be a full- or part-time position depending on the size of the community.
There are two basic approaches to a local Main Street program:
- Embedded in Another Organization. A Main Street program may be embedded in another organization, such as a local government, economic development corporation, Downtown Development Authority (DDA), or Chamber of Commerce. The Main Street program should have its own advisory board to cover Main Street activities, budget, and sources of revenue. In some cases, the umbrella organization’s board may serve as the Main Street board, but working groups should be developed to work specifically on the Main Street program.
- Nonprofit. The local Main Street program may be a nonprofit organization, which can offer tax benefits to donors and open some funding opportunities. All nonprofits are governed by a board of directors, must adopt bylaws, and must comply with financial reporting requirements.
Learn more about Main Street Boards.
Host Open House
Establish broad community support for the work you have done and want to do.
Schedule with Colorado Main Street for staff to be a part of this engagement and to visit your downtown.
Make a Plan
Immerse your board in the Main Street Approach and develop a strategic plan, including a map with Main Street boundaries.
Colorado Main Street consulting services may be available free of charge.
Learn more about Guiding Documents.
On Your Mark …
Prepare your Achieving Application. (Contact Colorado Main Street staff for a copy.)
Schedule a time to review and receive a copy of the application and sample resolution from Colorado Main Street.
Get Set …
Use the feedback from that meeting to draft your application, including at least three letters of support and a proposed budget.
Send to Colorado Main Street for review; staff will set a meeting with you to help strengthen a final draft.
Get Ready …
Submit the final draft, including a resolution of support from your town board or city council at least one month prior to the scheduled Advisory Board meetings.
The Colorado Main Street Advisory Board meets in February, April, and September to review applications; it can then take up to four weeks for the Department of Local Affairs to approve any recommended communities.
Go!
Embrace the Main Street Approach!
Whether accepted or not, Colorado Main Street staff is here to help!
If accepted, staff will prepare a memorandum of understanding to be signed by your municipality and Department of Local Affairs Leadership, provide training for the Main Street Manager and Board and execute your mini-grant and scholarship agreements; then, the ongoing technical assistance and education begins.
Not all first applications are approved. Cities and towns that have embraced the approach and moved forward with a work plan have made great changes in their communities - and have come back with a successful application. Continue to work with Colorado Main Street staff!
Spotlight: Town of San Luis - How Did You Become a Main Street Community?