University Technical Assistance Program
University Technical Assistance Program supports small Colorado governments with early project planning and design assistance to build community support and help secure funding for their ideas.
Funder: Department of Local Affairs
Due Dates: No deadline specified
Funding Amounts: Communities usually pay half the cost (about $3,000–$3,500); DOLA funds the remaining services and work products
Summary: Affordable technical assistance helps small Colorado governments turn early project ideas into plans that can build community support and attract funding.
Key Information: There is no formal application; interested governments should contact their Division of Local Government Regional Manager.
Description
The University Technical Assistance Program is a collaboration between Colorado’s Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) and the Colorado Center for Community Development at the University of Colorado Denver. It connects small local governments and other Colorado political subdivisions with university-based technical assistance to create initial project plans. Those plans can help a government entity gather community support and seek funding to carry a project forward.
Assistance covers processes and design, architecture, landscape architecture, planning, housing, and renewable energy projects. Services can include pre-design, physical planning, small-scale analysis, housing studies, childcare needs assessments, and utility-scale solar design. Graduate students participate alongside a field supervisor, the DOLA Regional Manager, and community collaborators.
