Jefferson County to apply for Colorado DOLA housing‑planning grant to revise needs assessment

Jefferson County Human Services on June 24 asked the Board of County Commissioners for permission to apply for and, if awarded, accept Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) housing‑planning funds to update the county's housing needs assessment and comply with state legislation.

Kat Douglas, Housing, Economic and Performance Services Division, said DOLA has reviewed the county’s housing needs assessment, which was completed last year, and provided guidance on revisions required to be in compliance with state law. Douglas said the county is seeking up to $100,000 from DOLA and would provide a 25% match — $25,000 from the general fund — if the grant is awarded.

Douglas said the grant work would be distinct from federal community‑development funds the county uses and would support the specific improvements DOLA identified. Commissioners asked procedural questions about participation; at the end of the briefing the board indicated unanimous support to move the application forward.

The county did not adopt the grant at the briefing; staff asked for approval to submit the application and accept award terms if the grant is offered.