Steamboat Pilot & Today

Officials are hoping for state funding to help with projects to acquire and expand the Haven Senior Assisted Living Center and build an addition to the Steamboat Springs Public Works Shop Funds.

The two Colorado Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance Program grant applications will be prioritized by a countywide committee today before they are sent to the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, which administers the grants.

Routt County, the town of Hayden and possibly Moffat County together are asking for $600,000 to allow the Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association to purchase and improve the Haven in Hayden.

The funds would go toward a $1.3 million project that involves acquiring the Haven, expanding the center to serve as a medical facility in West Routt County, and purchasing and installing telecommunications equipment to link the Haven and the two existing VNA facilities, according to the grant application.

A chunk of the remaining money needed already has been pledged to the project, with other donations expected.

Routt County Commissioner Doug Monger said the application is especially strong because it is sponsored by several local governments. That sort of a partnership is appealing to the Department of Local Affairs, he said.

The city of Steamboat Springs is asking for $500,000 to expand the city's public works shop. The shop is used to repair and maintain the city's vehicles, including ambulance, fire and police vehicles, as well as snow plowing and street maintenance vehicles, according to the city's application. It is 20 years old and needs to be expanded so it can hold the city's vehicle fleet and provide additional space for public works employees and for repair work.

The projects cost $1.2 million, and the remaining funds would come from the city.

Meanwhile, previous requests from Oak Creek and Hayden are being heard by the state advisory committee for the Energy Impact program this week, the final step before grants are awarded by the director of the Department of Local Affairs.

Oak Creek is asking for an almost $500,000 grant toward a $1 million project to renovate the town's wastewater treatment plant. Hayden is asking for a $330,000 grant and a $123,000 loan to expand the town's water treatment plant.

Those requests are up against 39 other requests asking for a total of $14.5 million for projects that cost a total of $34.6 million, said Routt County Commissioner Nancy Stahoviak, who also serves on the state advisory committee.

Of those requests, one-third are for public facilities, one-third are for water and sewer improvements, and the rest are for public safety, road and street, and other projects, Stahoviak said.

Routt County's Energy Impact Prioritization Hearings will take place from 9:30 to 11 a.m. today in the Routt County Courthouse Annex.

-- To reach Susan Bacon, call 871-4203

or e-mail sbacon@steamboatpilot.com