Welcome to the El Paso County Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) main page. Our program’s vision is to develop viable communities by ensuring a range of affordable housing choices, supporting necessary services and public infrastructure, strengthening the local economy, and mobilizing community resources to enhance collaboration and community partnerships. View the tabs below to learn more about our program and the funding cycle.
CDAB meetings are currently held on the third Wednesday of each month as needed in the Economic Development Conference Room located at 9 E. Vermijo Avenue in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Meetings start at 12:30 pm. The next CDAB meeting is February 21, 2024 at 12:30pm.
The El Paso County CDBG program’s HUD designated program year runs from April 1 – March 31 of the following year. The application cycle generally opens in January. Check the events and notices tab for when application cycle dates are announced.
The low to moderate-income map link below is provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development based on ACS data. For current recipients of funding and prospective recipients, this link is an excellent tool for scouting potential locations for projects.
Nationwide LMI Maps (To use the map, enter an address into the top right search bar. This should auto-populate for anywhere in the US. Once entered, it will zoom to that location – click on this location. A window will pop-up, using the right-pointing arrow on the top of this window – click until you find the (4) ‘LMISD by Block Group‘ option. You can also zoom out and select areas on the map via Block Groups to view Low/Mod percentages. For more assistance, contact our office.)
El Paso County LMI Maps (To use the map, first change the layering: in the top-left, click ‘layer list’ and select under EcoDev List ‘CDBG overlay‘. Then either enter an address into the search bar in the top left of your screen – or – click on a location on the map of El Paso County. A window should appear & by clicking the white right-pointing arrow on the top, you will be able to view Low/Mod percentages. For more assistance, contact our office.)
CDBG funds can be awarded to local jurisdictions and non-profit organizations but not private individuals. Agencies with experience administering federal funding resources will likely have adequate internal controls and policies to successfully implement a CDBG funded project.
After confirming your agency’s eligibility for funding, please consider that the following guidelines must be met:
Please contact our office directly to discuss the eligibility of a specific program or project.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has outlined three clear objectives to be fulfilled by the CDBG program. Every project funded by CDBG funds must accomplish one of the three following objectives: address an urgent need, mitigate slum/blight conditions or benefit persons of low-to-moderate income. Additionally, mitigating slum/blight conditions or benefiting persons of low-to-moderate income can be accomplished through several different avenues. A visual breakdown of these objectives is presented below.
In addition to meeting a national objective, all projects funded by the El Paso County CDBG Program must meet at least one of the goals outlined in our 2022-2026 Consolidated Plan.
Before El Paso County CDBG Program projects may begin expending funds, they must first be approved by the Board of County Commissioners and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Projects are selected and submitted for approval on an annual basis, with the final approval from HUD usually occurring in July or August each year.
Click the links below to see our current projects:
Click the photos below to view examples of projects that were completed with El Paso County CDBG funds between 2009 – 2022:
All funding applicants and are highly encouraged to review the documents below in advance of submitting their application. These resources will prepare you for what to expect when developing a potential project and ensure your application addresses the needs of the CDBG program.
Begin by reviewing the Annual Reporting Schedule, noting which reporting forms are required quarterly and annually. Direct additional questions to CDBG staff using the contact information at the bottom of the page.
Downloadable Reporting Forms:
Mandatory Forms for RFP/IFB:
Mandatory Items that must be completed before construction can begin on a project:
Mandatory Posters to be displayed on job site during construction:
Davis-Bacon & Labor Standards: Contractor Guide & Addendum
Section 3 Compliance Guide (for projects with federal funding totaling $200,000 or more)
Section 3 Compliance Reporting Form (for projects with federal funding totaling $200,000 or more)
Note that CDBG-CV Reporting follows the same schedule as the CDBG Annual Reporting Schedule and utilizes the same reimbursement request form.
Intro to CDBG-CV
CDBG-CV Quarterly Report
Duplication of Benefits Guide
Duplication of Benefits Awareness Sheet
CDBG-CV Public Utilities Q&A
To ensure these federal funds are used effectively and efficiently within our jurisdiction, El Paso County Economic Development thoughtfully, strategically, and with robust community participation completes several long-term planning, short-term action, and final performance evaluation documents. Please note additional information below:
2022-2026 Consolidated Plan and 2022 Annual Action Plan
Assessment of Fair Housing (internal planning document)
2023 CDBG Annual Action Plan (AAP)
2022 Consolidated Annual Performance Evaluation Report (CAPER)
Additional historical reports available upon request
On April 1, 2009, El Paso County became an “entitlement community” and was awarded a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to carry out a wide range of community development activities directed toward revitalizing neighborhoods, economic development, and providing improved community facilities and services.
The Community Development Advisory Board (CDAB) reviews matters of importance regarding the CDBG program and makes recommendations to the El Paso County Board of Commissioners concerning community development issues and use of CDBG funds.
The CDAB is comprised of 12 voting members, including a representative from each of the municipalities participating in the El Paso County Community Development Block Grant Program and a representative from each of the commissioner districts. Participating municipalities advise the Board of County Commissioners who they have designated as their representative. Commissioner district representatives are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners. Members are appointed for five-year terms, with terms initially staggered, and are limited to serving two consecutive five-year terms.
Please review the Events and Notices tab for upcoming CDAB meeting dates and times.
Meetings:
Community Development Advisory Board (CDAB) meetings are held on the third Wednesday of the month at 12:30 PM at 9 E. Vermijo Ave., Colorado Springs, CO. Meetings are held as needed. The next CDAB meeting is February 21, 2024 @ 12:30pm
Members:
Town of Green Mountain Falls: Tyler Stevens (Chair)
Town of Calhan/ Ramah: Cindy Tompkins (Vice-Chair)
District 1: Rachel Starr
District 2: Matt Buffington
District 3: Emily Peacock
District 4: Tamara Estes
District 5: Robert Null
City of Fountain: Todd Evans
City of Manitou Springs: Denise Howell
Town of Monument: Madeline VanDenHoek
Town of Palmer Lake: Samantha Padgett
For information on CDAB or attending a meeting, please contact Luke Houser, contact information listed below
Luke Houser
Community Development Analyst
9 E. Vermijo Ave.
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
719-520-6249
lukehouser@elpasoco.com