CITY OF GRAND JUNCTION

RESOLUTION NO. 15-12

A RESOLUTION TO PROTECT THE CURRENT LOTTERY

DISTRIBUTION FORMULA

WHEREAS, Colorado has a longstanding commitment to the conservation and enhancement of wildlife, parks, rivers, trails, working farms and ranches and open space; and

WHEREAS, by wish of Colorado voters, Colorado Lottery proceeds have been one of the few sources of funding for parks, recreation, open space, and wildlife projects providing $2.3 billion in the past 28 years; and

WHEREAS, lottery funds support a thriving outdoor recreation industry which contributes over $10 billion annually to Colorado's economy, supports 107,000 jobs across Colorado, generates nearly $500 million in annual state tax revenue, and produces $7.6 billion annually in retail sales and services across Colorado; and

WHEREAS, profits from the sale of lottery products are allocated according to this formula: up to 50 percent to the Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) Trust Fund, 40 percent to the Conservation Trust Fund, and 10 percent to the Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife; and

WHEREAS, Colorado Lottery is GOCO's single source of funding, capped at $35 million a year adjusted for inflation; if GOCO's share exceeds that amount, the remainder goes into the State Public School Fund; and

WHEREAS, GOCO gives money to projects across the state to help improve communities. Funds help trails, improve parks, open outdoor recreation facilities, preserve ranchlands and view corridors, improve and expand river quality and access, and conserve wildlife habitat; and

WHEREAS, since 1994, GOCO has invested more than $757 million in Lottery funds back to the State; grants to more than 3,400 projects in all 64 counties; permanent conservation of more than 800,000 acres or open space; the creation and restoration of more than 765 miles of trails; the development or enhancement of more than 1,050 community parks and outdoor recreation centers; and

WHEREAS, the Conservation Trust Fund helps local parks and recreation providers – towns, cities, counties and special districts-use funds for open space and park land acquisition, recreation equipment purchases, recreational facility development, park maintenance, and for the renovation and restoration of these local facilities; and

WHEREAS, statewide, school-based and education related projects have garnered nearly $20 million in GOCO/Lottery funds over the years, ranging from resources and facilities like playgrounds, outdoor classrooms, ball fields and tennis courts, to educational programming offered through Colorado State Parks and the Division of Wildlife; and

WHEREAS, Colorado's 42 State parks use lottery money for trail construction and maintenance, land acquisition, equipment and facility purchases, and maintenance of state park's facilities; and

WHEREAS, current budget shortfalls have led the Legislature in many instances to raid trust funds and other dedicated revenue sources; and

WHEREAS, a change to the current lottery distribution funding would be detrimental to Colorado's educational, recreational and outdoor grants.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City of Grand Junction, supports the preservation of the current lottery distribution formula; and urges Colorado lawmakers to protect the historic distribution formula that allocates Lottery's outdoor dollars in collaboration with local governments and other local partners.

ADOPTED the 4^th day of April, 2012.

Attest:

             /s/ Tom Kenyon      

President of the Council

/s/ Stephanie Tuin      

City Clerk