District backs $776K NRCCS grant request to upgrade community schoolyard

The Steamboat Springs Board of Education unanimously backed North Routt Community Charter School's $776,000 state grant request to convert its playground into a park-like community schoolyard, and the school pledged $100,000 toward the estimated $876,000 project.

The Steamboat Springs Board of Education has formally supported North Routt Community Charter School's application for a $776,000 state grant to redesign its playground as a park-like community schoolyard accessible beyond school hours. Interim Head of School Marquez Elem presented the request and board members voted unanimously to approve a resolution backing the submission to the Colorado Department of Local Affairs Community Schoolyards Grant Program. The charter school is pledging $100,000 from its reserves toward the roughly $876,000 project and clarified it is asking the district to partner on the request, not to provide project funding. School leaders say the redesign would support hands-on learning and health and well-being while replacing a play area they describe as nearing the end of its life cycle. Key details: - The board unanimously approved a resolution supporting NRCCS's $776,000 grant request to the Colorado Department of Local Affairs. - The full project is estimated at about $876,000; NRCCS has pledged $100,000 from reserves to strengthen the application. - Elem asked the district to partner on the grant request but clarified the district is not being asked for financial contribution to the project. - The DOLA Community Schoolyards Grant Program was established under House Bill 25-1061 and can award up to $850,000 to each selected recipient; the program has $3.8 million available this year. - DOLA will announce award recipients by June, and selected projects must be completed by June 30, 2029. Summary: The district's backing reflects local support for creating an accessible, park-like schoolyard that school leaders say will benefit students and the wider community. A final grant decision will be made by the Colorado Department of Local Affairs in June, and awarded projects must be completed by June 30, 2029.