Investing in culture is a key priority in Arapahoe County, not just a hobby. The Arapahoe County Cultural Council, in collaboration with the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD), has allocated over $2 million in grants for 2024 and 2025 to support various cultural organizations. Arapahoe County outlines how beneficiaries of the SCFD tax will be funded. This tax is a modest one cent per ten-dollar purchase that finances tourism, creates jobs, and improves access to cultural resources, according to Arapahoe County.
"It may be a small tax, but it has a big impact. Not only in Arapahoe County, but across the Front Range," said Arapahoe County Commissioner Leslie Summey, per Arapahoe County. The SCFD grant, derived from this modest tax, has been a cultural cornerstone for a plethora of local arts and science organizations. The Oct. 16 celebration was a display of gratitude and recognition, as recipients were handed sizeable checks as a testament to the county's dedication to enriching its cultural landscape.
As detailed by Arapahoe County, Commissioner Summey highlighted the program's breadth, "Over the last five years, more than $13 million of Tier III funding has supported over 300 local art, cultural, scientific, and historical organizations that benefit our residents." This year's list of grant recipients is as diverse as the county's population, with entities like Littleton Town Hall Arts Center, The Denver Brass, and Roshni among many others being recognized and celebrated.
