TOPS Sales Tax - TOPS (Trails, Open Space and Parks) is the process used by the City of Colorado Springs to administer the Trails, Open Space and Parks ordinance passed by voters in April of 1997. The sales tax, 1/10 of one percent, generates about $6 million annually for trails, open space and parks.

The process, administered by the Parks and Recreation Department of Colorado Springs, provides for the prudent acquisition, development and preservation of Trails, Open Space and Parks (TOPS) in the Pikes Peak region. More information on the TOPS program, including maps of trails, open space and parks, as well as funding of projects is available at the TOPS web site. To fund a project, an application is submitted to the City of Colorado Springs.

Bike Tax - The City of Colorado Springs has a $4.00 per bike tax to provide funding for City bikeway improvements. The tax generates nearly $100,000 annually and has been used for both onand off-street projects. It is used primarily to provide a local match for other grants such as the Colorado State Trails Program or SAFETEA-LU grants.

Great Outdoors Colorado - In 1992, Colorado voters approved creation of the Great Outdoors Colorado Trust Fund (GOCO), which receives a portion of Colorado Lottery proceeds to award grants for outdoor recreation, wildlife and open space.

Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) receives 50 percent of Lottery proceeds up to approximately $40 million annually. GOCO awards grants to Colorado State Parks, the Colorado Division of Wildlife, local governments and nonprofit land conservation organizations for projects that preserve and enhance Colorado's parks, wildlife, trails and open space. Since 1994, GOCO has provided $6.2 million for trails through the State Trails Program.A 15-member Board of Trustees appointed by the Governor oversees the trust fund. The grants are awarded through a competitive grant application cycle.

State Trails Program - Since its establishment in 1971, the State Trails Program has been active in encouraging trail development. Recreational trails continue as a priority of the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreations, and provide for a significant part of the outdoor activities available in Colorado. The State Trails Program offers funding for trails programs throughout the state on a competitive application process.

This program uses a portion of State Parks' revenue from the Colorado Lottery and the Great Outdoors Colorado Fund. The 50/50 matching grants are for trail construction by local governments and non-profit organizations throughout the state. State trail grants for 93 projects total nearly $4 million for 2001-2002.