Colorado Launches NOFA for New Local Legal Support Program to Help Communities Protect Federal Funding

DENVER - Today, the Governor's Office of Federal Funds and Strategic Initiatives (OFFSI), in partnership with the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), announced the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) launch for the Colorado Local Legal Support Program. This new public-private initiative is the first of its kind to provide broad-spectrum legal support to local governments and non-profit organizations as they navigate federal funding challenges in Colorado.

"Federal funding plays a critical role in delivering infrastructure, services, and economic opportunity in communities across our state. The Local Legal Support Program is a smart, proactive way to make sure Colorado's local governments and nonprofits - especially in smaller and rural communities - have the tools they need to protect those investments. I'm thrilled about this partnership and the added support it will provide to communities working hard to serve Coloradans," said Governor Jared Polis.

"The Department of Local Affairs' mission is to strengthen Colorado communities and to be a liaison between the state and local governments. Navigating federal funding cuts can be a daunting task when staff bandwidth is at a premium in these smaller organizations. We're proud to support providing legal services with the ultimate goal that no community misses out on game-changing federal funding because they don't have the legal services they need," said Maria De Cambra, Executive Director of the Department of Local Affairs.

The initiative will award $150,000 to a qualified legal service organization to provide legal assistance to local governments and nonprofits across Colorado that receive funds directly from the federal government and need legal assistance as a result of federal funding decisions. The program will prioritize support for small local governments and nonprofit organizations, helping ensure that communities with limited legal capacity are not left behind as federal rules, guidance, and compliance requirements continue to evolve.

Through the initiative, eligible entities will be able to access legal guidance to help navigate federal funding changes, address grant management challenges and other eligible support, to keep vital local investments on track and working for Colorado communities.

The initiative is funded through a combination of $75,000 from the state, $50,000 in philanthropic support from the Gates Family Foundation, and $25,000 contributed from Rose Community Foundation, reflecting a shared commitment to strengthening local capacity and safeguarding federal resources for Colorado communities.

"Local governments and nonprofits work in a complex funding environment and can benefit from added legal support. Our gift reflects the Gates Family Foundation's confidence in Colorado communities and supports their efforts to pursue opportunities that strengthen local priorities. This collaborative investment highlights the shared dedication of partners across Colorado to ensuring federal resources benefit communities of all sizes," said Tom Gougeon, President of the Gates Family Foundation.

"Nonprofits, local governments and tribal partners across Colorado rely on federal funding to deliver essential services in their communities. This new partnership will expand access to legal support, helping to protect federal funding for the services many Coloradans rely on. We're proud to partner in this collaborative effort to strengthen capacity and enable Colorado organizations to continue to focus on serving their communities," said Lindy Eichenbaum Lent, President and CEO of Rose Community Foundation.

The Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Local Legal Support Program will be posted on DOLA's grants portal on Monday, January 26, at 10:30am MST, and will remain open until Friday, February 13, 2026, at 5:00pm MST. The Local Legal Support Program is expected to launch in April 2026 and will operate for one year from the date of contract execution.

Local governments and nonprofit organizations with questions about the Colorado Local Legal Support Program may contact [email protected] for more information.

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