Castle Rock approves up to $1.12 million for nine organizations’ 2027 programs
A 7–0 Town Council vote authorized funding caps totaling $1,121,886 for economic development, senior services, downtown programs and other community work.
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Castle Rock Town Council approved 2027 funding measures for nine organizations in a 7–0 vote Oct. 20, authorizing payments capped at a combined $1,121,886. The meeting video records the vote, and the council packet lists the individual authorizations. The caps set maximum amounts; they do not establish how much the Town ultimately pays. A staff report said staff would prepare service contracts for the Town Manager to administer and execute based on Council direction.
The largest caps are up to $265,579 for the Castle Rock Economic Development Council and $245,000 for the Downtown Development Authority. The Economic Development Council’s application describes support for staff, marketing and technology, as well as efforts to attract employers, help businesses grow and recruit retailers. The Downtown Development Authority’s application seeks a Town match for its district mill levy to pay for personnel, downtown improvements and programs such as patios, flower boxes and carriage rides. The approved cap is $10,000 above the $235,000 estimate in the earlier request story.
The Castle Rock Senior Activity Center is authorized up to $170,000: $90,000 for transportation and $80,000 for operations. The center’s application says it serves more than 3,000 older adults and offers more than 150 activities and events monthly. It describes classrooms, meeting areas, fitness spaces and common areas as often full or over capacity, and asks the Town to consider expansion, shared-use space or earlier access to rooms elsewhere.
The other caps are up to $145,000 for the Castle Rock Chamber, $106,000 for the Downtown Merchants Association, $102,450 for the Castle Rock Historical Society, $45,000 for the Douglas County Housing Partnership, $25,000 for the Douglas County Youth Initiative and $17,857 for the Douglas County Community Foundation.
The Chamber’s application describes support for community events such as Artfest, the county fair parade and Starlighting, along with workforce and business programs and visitor-center operations. The Downtown Merchants Association’s application seeks staffing and support for downtown events, including concerts, a car show, Boots and Brews and Oktoberfest. The Historical Society’s agreement supports the Castle Rock Museum and local-history programming; the society cited rising insurance costs in its request.
The Housing Partnership proposed homebuyer education, down-payment assistance, foreclosure counseling and a contribution toward matching funds for a Housing Action Plan. The Youth Initiative sought support for youth and family programs, including youth leadership and work with young people involved in truancy court. The Community Foundation requested administrative funding to help direct private donations to grants and community programs.