Agenda Date: 10/14/2025
Subject:
Title
2026 Local Partnership Funding and Stadium District Funding Grant Recommendations
Body
From:
James L. Becklenberg, City Manager
Prepared by:
Lucy Lucero, Executive Assistant
Presentations:
Mike Gent, Deputy City Manager
Lucy Lucero, Executive Assistant
PURPOSE:
Does council support the recommendations for Community Partnership grants for 2026 Local Partnership Funding (LPF) grants and 2026 Stadium District Funding (SDF) grants?
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
Vibrant Community with a Rich Culture
DISCUSSION:
Each year the Littleton City Council considers requests for Local Partnership Funding from organizations that serve Littleton residents. Requests may include operational, one-time special purpose grants, or event sponsorships (in-kind or cash). The grant categories are Human Services, Community Events, and Other. Grants were previously awarded under a separate category of Arts, Culture, and Tourism, but those organizations are now able to apply for a separate grant funded by the Lodgers Tax grant program, and they are no longer eligible for Local Partnership Funding grants.
In 2023, Council asked staff to consider including Stadium District Funds as part of this grant awarding process. Stadium District Funds are revenues the city received as a result of Littleton's inclusion in the Metropolitan Football Stadium District, the entity that owns Empower Field at Mile High. Littleton received a one-time payment of $1,229,200.72 with the funds designated to be used for "youth activity" programs. Council discussed possible uses at its May 12, 2023, study session.
Applications for the 2026 grant cycle opened on June 23, 2025, and closed on July 28, 2025. A total of 30 applications were received for Local Partnership Funding totaling $288,350 and seven in-kind service requests. A total of 19 applications were received for Stadium District Funding totaling $418,100. Since the 2026 Lodgers Tax Funding was less than anticipated, the Arts & Culture Board advised 19 of their applicants that supported youth activities to apply for Stadium District Funding instead. Council received the applications, an application summary, and a scoring worksheet.
Applicants that are recommended to receive Lodgers Tax grants are not eligible to receive an additional Local Partnership Funding grant or Stadium District Funding grant but instead can only receive funding from one grant source. At the October 17, 2023 council meeting, city council decided to follow these guidelines for awarding funds:
1. The grantees would be required to sign an acknowledgement prior to accepting the grant that the funds would be expended within the City of Littleton.
2. The grantees must submit a grant progress report within six months of receiving the funds or schedule a public appearance throughout the year to keep council apprised of their organization and how the grant funding was spent. A report must be submitted every six months after that date until the grant funding is spent.
3. All grant funding must be spent within 18 months of receiving the grant or the funding must be returned to the city.
4. The applicants will not be eligible to receive funding the following grant cycle if they did not submit a grant progress report.
5. Grant awards can be no greater than the applicant's requested award amount.
6. The Local Partnership Funding grants will no longer be awarded for arts, culture, and tourism.
7. Staff shall seek experienced non-profit partners to receive funds on behalf of less experienced applicants.
8. Staff recommended award reductions may be needed in the Local Partnership Funding program to stay within budget, but council wants as much of the budget allocated as possible.
9. Applicants cannot receive Arts & Culture grants, Local Partnership Funding grants, and Stadium District Funding grants. Applicants can only receive a grant from one grant source to allow more organizations to receive grant funding.
After receiving council's award recommendations, staff then compiled these recommendations and applied the following set of criteria to determine the award recommendations presented tonight:
* Local Partnership Funding Grants proposed budget: $72,900
* Stadium District Funding Grants: $111,334
o 4 or more council members recommend an award
o Utilizing the average of non-zero award recommendations
o Rounding to the nearest $50
o Reduced all Local Partnership Funding awards by 5% to stay within the allotted budget
o Stadium District Funding awards were reduced by 20% to $110,000. The estimated remaining $1,334 fund balance in January 2026 can be distributed to an organization agreed upon by council. The balance is estimated depending on the amount of interest earned by January 2026 when all remaining funds are expected to be expended
o Local Partnership Funding grants were capped at $25,000; this restriction does not apply to Stadium District Funding grants
* In-Kind Service: Seven requests
o 4 or more council members supported each request
* Stadium District Funding grants can only be used for youth activities
* Applicants were advised that grants would not be awarded for:
o Debt or deficit reduction
o Events outside the Littleton city limits
o Capital improvements (A capital project is described as major construction, acquisition, or renovation activities which add value or increase the useful life of the (city's) physical assets and is also called a capital improvement.)
* For-profit events and/or activities
* All Stadium District Funding amounts are expected to be disbursed in 2026, and no additional funds will be available in 2027
BACKGROUND:
The 2026 Proposed Budget includes $72,900 for Local Partnership Funding grants. As of January 2026, the estimated balance for the Stadium District Funding account is $111,334. With additional interest estimated through January 2026, this amount may increase slightly depending on how much additional interest is earned before the funding is disbursed. The estimated remaining $1,334 fund balance in January 2026 can be distributed to an organization agreed upon by council. We were encouraged to use the funding as soon as possible. We are required to submit an annual report to the Metropolitan Football Stadium District outlining how the funds were spent.
Prior Actions or Discussions
On May 12, 2023, council discussed the grant application process for awarding Stadium District Funding in addition to Local Partnership Funding. On October 17, 2023, the city awarded $761,400 from the 2023 Stadium District Funding grants including $200,000 that was donated to the Littleton Public Schools Foundation to help launch the East Community Center project. The city also awarded 2023 Local Partnership Funding grants. Stadium District Funding grants were not awarded in 2024. 2024 Local Partnership Funding grants were awarded in the amount of $71,600. 2025 Stadium District Funding grants were awarded in the amount of $352,500. 2025 Local Partnership Funding grants were awarded in the amount of $69,700.
On August 26, 2025, council recommended awarding 2026 Lodgers Tax Funding grants to Littleton Downtown Development Authority in the amount of $13,000 and to Western Welcome Week for $10,000. Neither organization is eligible to receive additional grant funding due to the award recommendations.
On September 16, 2025, city council discussed the option of sponsoring tables and events with the existing budget line item of Council Outreach beginning in 2026 which resulted in not recommending awards for several community events. A process will be established for all council members to review and approve sponsorships.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
The majority of council recommended awarding the total Local Partnership Funding budget and all the available Stadium District Funding budget. Since the Stadium District Funding balance is estimated through January 2026, this amount may increase or decrease slightly depending on how much additional interest is earned before the funding is disbursed. The estimated remaining $1,334 fund balance in January 2026 can be distributed to an organization agreed upon by council since the fund cannot be used for any other purpose.
Both the Local Partnership Funding grant awards and the Stadium District Funding grant awards will be dispersed after January 1, 2026.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends council discussion of the Local Partnership Funding and Stadium District Funding grant awards and to provide direction to staff on funding amounts. Staff will present a resolution to council approving the grant awards at an upcoming City Council meeting.
ALTERNATIVES:
The current award recommendations were decided by council. Council could reconsider their award recommendations. A deadline to award Stadium District Funding was not imposed and the remaining funds could be used in future years.