DeGette secures over $11.3 million to fund Denver-area projects

Washington, D.C. - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation which provides approximately $460 billion over six of the twelve appropriations bills to keep these departments and agencies open and funded through September 2024. Included in this larger package is $11,392,679 to fund Denver-area projects. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO), who requested this funding, released the following statement:

“This funding will help organizations on the front lines of caring for Denverites. Thanks to this partnership, we can boost the impact these organizations have and help more people in need. From tackling homelessness to uplifting underserved groups to enhancing our city’s infrastructure, these investments will make a real difference in improving lives and driving progress in Denver.

“I will continue fighting for the federal resources our city needs and I look forward to seeing the President sign this bill into law.”

The projects DeGette secured funding for include:

$4,116,279 for the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless to build 200 units of supportive housing for those experiencing homelessness on a 2.2-acre site along Park Avenue.

$1,000,000 for the City and County of Denver to build a new recreation center in Westwood. The new center would be the first such facility constructed in the neighborhood and would provide residents of all ages with a place to engage in a wide range of recreational and community activities.

$850,000 for the Regional Transportation District to continue bringing the Central Corridor light rail system, running from I-25/Broadway to 30th/Downing in Downtown, into a state of good repair.

$850,000 for the City and County of Denver to complete construction of the city’s new Fire Station 40 at the NW corner of 56th Avenue and Telluride Street. The new station will improve response time to the Tower Road corridor, between 56th Avenue and Pena Boulevard, and provide back-up service to Denver International Airport.

$800,000 for Re:Vision to purchase a vacant lot in Westwood to be used as an urban farm that will help increase food security in a neighborhood where 33% of families live at or below the federal poverty line.

$750,000 to Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver to help fund the construction of 16 new affordable homes for low-income families at West 3rd Avenue and Knox Court.

$750,000 for the Mile High United Way to build a commercial kitchen at its Early Childhood Education Center that provides childcare services to working parents.

$626,400 for the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Denver to purchase and repair air conditioners at three different clubs that collectively serve 3,700 kindergarten through 12th grade youth annually, providing them a safe and comfortable space to engage in important academic enrichment activities.

$500,000 to the Montbello Organizing Committee to help fund construction of the Montbello FreshLo Hub project, which will include a nonprofit grocery store, business incubator and 97 units of affordable housing.

$500,000 for the City and County of Denver to remediate the former Denver Public School’s Bus Barn on Brighton Boulevard so the now-vacant 7-acre lot can be redeveloped to provide more affordable housing in the area.

$350,000 for the YMCA of Metropolitan Denver to expand its kitchen at the Southwest YMCA that’s used to support its Beyond Hunger program, which provides food, as well as cooking and nutrition classes, to those in need throughout the community.

$300,000 for the City and County of Denver to develop a master electrification plan for Denver International Airport to help the world’s third busiest airport cut its emissions by increasing its use of cleaner forms of energy.

Background: Funding from these six bills will keep the government open past its upcoming deadline on Friday, March 8. The remaining six appropriations bills for fiscal year 2024 must be voted on ahead of their expiration on March 22 to fully fund the government.

The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 passed with bipartisan support 339 to 85.

The text of this bill is available here. A full summary of the appropriations provisions in the bill is available here.

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