8 CCR 1204-9-4 - Application Review and Award

4.1. Applications will be individually scored by a review panel appointed by the Commissioner. The review panel will evaluate each application to determine whether the applicant is an Eligible Business and whether the proposed activity constitutes an Eligible Use.

4.2. The application review panel will consider the following criteria in evaluating an application for a Grant Award;

4.2.1. Whether all eligibility requirements for receiving a Grant Award are satisfied;

4.2.2. The degree to which the proposal will significantly and directly increase the capacity for a Small Food Retailer to offer healthy food in a LILA community or a Small Family Farm to distribute healthy food to LILA communities; and

4.2.3. The proposal's likelihood of success.

4.2.4. The ultimate geographic distribution of all Grant Awards to ensure that at least 30 percent of Grant Awards go to Eligible Businesses in Colorado's rural areas.

4.3. The application review panel will give priority scores to proposals that:

4.3.1. Have the capacity to reach the greatest number of low-income Colorado residents, or, for low population areas, the greatest proportion of a LILA community;

4.3.2. Have the capacity to substantially reduce the price of healthy food for low-income Colorado residents;

4.3.3. Have the ability to create a lasting impact beyond the time period of funding;

4.3.4. Result in dollars remaining in community (reducing "retail leakage");

4.3.5. Promote comprehensive responses to local food access, farm, and nutrition issues;

4.3.6. Are submitted by a member of an underserved area of the state; and

4.3.7. Demonstrate a plan that advances or implements responsible environmental stewardship, including by reducing greenhouse-gas emissions.

4.4. To optimize the utilization of funds available, the evaluation committees, Advisory Committee, and Department may recommend a Grant Award less than the amount of funds an applicant requests. The Commissioner will review such recommendations and make the final determination on an application.

4.5. The Department will inform an applicant for a Grant Award of the Department's decision via email within 90 days of the end of each Award Period.

4.6. The Commissioner's decision on an application is final and may not be appealed.

Notes

8 CCR 1204-9-4

46 CR 17, September 10, 2023, effective 9/1/2023, exp. 12/7/2023 (Emergency) 46 CR 23, December 10, 2023, effective 12/30/2023