Agenda Date: 09/16/2025
Subject:
Title
Local Partnership Funding and Stadium District Funding Discussion
Body
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From: |
James L. Becklenberg, City Manager |
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Prepared by: |
Mike Gent, Deputy City Manager |
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Presentations: |
N/A |
PURPOSE:
City Council will soon be reviewing and rating applications received for the 2026 Local Partnership Funding and Stadium District Funding grants. This discussion is intended to help establish council priorities and expectations for these grant funds, prior to individually evaluating applications and recommending awards.
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
Vibrant Community with a Rich Culture
DISCUSSION:
At the October 14, 2025, council study session, city council will review their aggregated grant recommendations and confirm grant awards for 2026.
BACKGROUND:
Each year the Littleton City Council considers requests for discretionary grants, historically from nonprofit organizations that serve Littleton residents, and awards the grants to the organizations during the budget process. For the 2026 award cycle, the city is including distribution of Stadium District Funding as part of the same application process. Stadium District Funding was a one-time payment to the city related to the purchase of the Denver Broncos Football Club to be spent on youth activity programs. To qualify for these funds, applicants must demonstrate how their use of the funds will benefit youth activity programs in the community. Additionally, local partnership funding is no longer considering arts, culture, and tourism applications, as these applications should be directed to the arts and culture grants supported by the lodger’s tax approved by voters in 2022. This is a competitive process as council always receives more requests than it has funds available.
Requests may include operational, one-time special purpose grants, or event sponsorships (in-kind or cash). Preference is given to:
- Programs and events historically supported by the city that directly serve Littleton citizens
- Programs with greatest community impact
- Programs with the highest number of Littleton resident participants
- Established service providers within the city
For Stadium District Funding only
- Programs, equipment, and events that benefit youth activity programs within the city limits
Prior Actions or Discussions
In an October 2024 city council discussion of 2025 grant awards, staff were asked to set aside time for city council in future years to have a preliminary discussion of city priorities for the coming year, related to these grant funds, before their review of applications.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
Funds for both the Local Partnership Funding and Stadium District Funding grants are included in the
2026 budget for the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2026, and ending December 31, 2026.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
N/A
ALTERNATIVES:
N/A
Proposed Motion