LCCC, CPRW and Partners Honored with the Colorado Lottery's Starburst Award

We were honored to accept the Starburst Award at the Larimer County Conservation Corps’ annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival event at Colorado State University.

The 2024 Starburst Award Winners are 13 “unique and exceptional projects” that used Colorado Lottery dollars to enrich communities across the state. More than $9 million in Lottery funds were represented in this year's winning projects, which include parks, trails, playgrounds, conservation, outdoor equity and wildlife projects.

Since 1983, the Colorado Lottery has reinvested over $4.1 billion to support all the ways Coloradans enjoy our great outdoors. Lottery proceeds are distributed statewide through grants managed by Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), the Conservation Trust Fund (CTF), Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), the Outdoor Equity Fund, and Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST). The 13 winning projects are located near Salida, Castle Rock, Colorado Springs, El Jebel, La Junta, Erie, Grand County, Delhi, and Larimer and Hinsdale Counties.

"The incredibly impactful projects represented here showcase critical funding for everything from important planning grants and connecting communities through trails, to open space conservation and the protection of vistas, and demonstrate how Lottery dollars have helped make Colorado what it is today,” said Tom Seaver, director of the Colorado Lottery. “This year's Starburst winners are exemplary advocates for their communities, making a difference one project at a time."

Elkhorn Creek Forest Health Initiative - $65,275 (GOCO)

The Larimer County Conservation Corps has been critical in helping to mitigate fire risk near Red Feather Lakes by reducing forest densities and hazardous fuels, as well as restoring forest structure.

This grant, as part of a total $75,678 project, was critical in helping to mitigate fire risk near Red Feather Lakes by reducing forest densities and hazardous fuels, as well as restoring forest structure. Over six weeks, a crew of one leader and seven AmeriCorps members completed 24 acres of fire mitigation. The project helped contribute to fire prevention efforts following the costly 2020 Cameron Peak Fire and protects the Poudre River watershed, which provides drinking water for over 300,000 people. The Elkhorn Creek Forest Health Initiative, a collaboration between Larimer County Conservation Corps, The Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed, and Ben Delatour Scout Ranch, were integral partners in requesting this GOCO grant to continue fire mitigation work in this area.