AARP Awards Four Colorado Organizations with Community Grants as Part of its Successful Nationwide Program

AARP Colorado announced four Colorado organizations will receive 2021 Community Challenge grants – part of the largest group of grantees to date with $3.2 million awarded among 244 organizations nationwide. Grantees will implement quick-action projects to promote livable communities by improving housing, transportation, public spaces, civic engagement, and connection with family, friends, and neighbors with an emphasis on the needs of the 50-plus. Many of this year’s awards support revitalizing communities adversely impacted by the pandemic and include a focus on diversity, inclusion, and disparities.

“We are incredibly proud to collaborate with these organizations as they work to make immediate improvements in their communities, encourage promising ideas and jumpstart long-term change, especially for those age 50 and over,” said Bob Murphy, AARP Colorado state director. “Our goal at AARP Colorado is to support the efforts of our communities to be great places for people of all backgrounds, ages and abilities.” All projects are expected to be completed by November 10, 2021. Here in Colorado, projects funded include: 

• Boulder: City of Boulder
  Solar pathway lights will be installed to illuminate a neighborhood so more residents can safely walk at night. 

• Denver, Jefferson and Boulder Counties: Sprout City Farms
  Local food solutions will be provided to people who live near three community farms. 

• Fort Collins: City of Fort Collins Neighborhood Services Department
  MHC WELL, a one-day event for mobile home communities, will feature a community clean-up and resource fair. 

• Pueblo: Posada
  A closed motel will be repurposed into single-room-occupancy housing for older adults who are experiencing homelessness and provide them with opportunities that encourage healthy, stable and self-sufficient living.

The Community Challenge grant program is part of AARP’s nationwide Livable Communities initiative, which supports the efforts of cities, towns, neighborhoods and rural areas to become great places to live for people of all ages. Since 2017, AARP Colorado has awarded 14 grants and $122,621through the program to nonprofit organizations and government entities across the state.  

View the full list of grantees and their project descriptions at www.aarp.org/communitychallenge and learn more about AARP’s livable communities work at www.aarp.org/livable.