In an effort to protect the flow of federal funds to local entities in Colorado, a new program aimed at providing legal support has been launched, a statement obtained by the Governor's Office informed. The Governor's Office of Federal Funds and Strategic Initiatives (OFFSI), in partnership with the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), unveiled the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Colorado Local Legal Support Program. Set against the backdrop of federal funding intricacies, smaller government bodies and non-profits stand to gain assistance in navigating the complexities of these financial waters.
With the initiative now public, Governor Jared Polis expressed enthusiasm regarding the added support this program will bring, especially to smaller and rural communities striving to serve their citizens. As announced in a recent publication by the Colorado Governor's Office, he said, "The Local Legal Support Program is a smart, proactive way to make sure Colorado’s local governments and nonprofits – especially in smaller and rural communities – have the tools they need to protect those investments."
Maria De Cambra, Executive Director of DOLA, conveyed the pressure smaller organizations face with slender staff capacity, articulating the mission of her department as to bolster Colorado communities against federal funding cuts. In addition to the governor's statement, De Cambra emphasized the program's role in preventing missed opportunities due to a lack of necessary legal resources, "We’re proud to support providing legal services with the ultimate goal that no community misses out on game-changing federal funding because they don’t have the legal services they need," she told the Colorado Governor's Office.
Financially nurtured through combined contributions, this collaborative venture draws $75,000 from state funds, while the Gates Family Foundation and Rose Community Foundation chip in $50,000 and $25,000, respectively. Echoing this collective spirit, Tom Gougeon, President of the Gates Family Foundation, recognized the complexities that local governments and nonprofits face and underlined that their gift reflects confidence in the resilience of Colorado communities. Echoing this sentiment, Lindy Eichenbaum Lent, President and CEO of Rose Community Foundation, highlighted the importance of federal support in local service delivery, adding that their partnership represents a commitment to capacity building and enabling organizations to concentrate on service to their communities, the Colorado Governor's Office detailed.
