Town of Paonia Awarded Nearly $1.9 Million Federal BUILD Grant for "Safe Pathways for Paonia" Infrastructure Project
Project is completely funded through grants and local match of $30,182
Paonia, Colorado — The Town of Paonia is proud to announce the award of a $1,884,901 federal BUILD grant for its Safe Pathways for Paonia project, an initiative to reconstruct and improve the intersection of 5th Street and Grand Avenue, a critical pedestrian and school-zone corridor.
The funding was awarded through the FY 2025 Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program and was secured via Congressional Directed Spending, thanks in large part to the advocacy and support of Senator Michael Bennet, and through additional support from Senator John Hickenlooper, and Representative Jeff Hurd. The Town of Paonia extends its sincere gratitude to each of their offices for championing this project at the federal level.
The total estimated cost of the project is $2,925,675, and the improvements will include:
Full reconstruction of Grand Avenue from 4th Street through the 5th Street intersection and 200 feet north
New sidewalks, curbs, and gutters
ADA-compliant curb ramps
Painted crosswalks and pedestrian-activated RRFB signals
Grooved pavement to alert drivers of school crossings and reduced speed zones
Improved connectivity to existing pedestrian infrastructure
“This award is a transformative win for our community,” said Town Administrator Stefen Wynn. “It will dramatically improve safety for students, families, and all pedestrians at one of our most vital intersections. We are deeply grateful to Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper and Congressman Hurd for their support in helping secure this funding.”
In addition to the BUILD grant, the Town of Paonia has secured $1,913,599 in additional funding through the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to support the Safe Pathways for Paonia project.
This includes:
Revitalizing Main Streets (RMS) Grant: $1,040,774 (including local match), which will enhance multimodal access and connectivity along Grand Avenue.
Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Grant: $872,825 in state funding dedicated to safe school-area improvements.
These CDOT-funded improvements are integrated with the BUILD-funded work and form a unified infrastructure package under the Safe Pathways for Paonia initiative. Together, these grants represent over $3.7 million in coordinated investment in public safety, accessibility, and mobility.
“This momentum is a testament to what small communities can accomplish when they build smart plans and advocate with purpose,” said Mayor Paige Smith. “The support from our federal and state partners has been instrumental in getting us to this moment.”
The Town will now begin working with USDOT/FHWA to finalize agreements and initiate the next phase of project planning. Construction is expected to begin in Spring 2026 after all federal and state requirements are completed. Public updates and engagement opportunities will be made available throughout the project.
The Town of Paonia remains committed to transparent governance and the protection of its essential infrastructure, including creating safer streets and ensuring accessible, inclusive infrastructure that supports all residents, whether walking, biking, or driving, through thoughtful, community-centered investment in public spaces.