FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact – Stefen Wynn, StefenW@TownofPaonia.com
April 24, 2025
Town of Paonia Secures Over $1.88 Million in CDOT Grant Funding for Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety
Paonia, CO – The Town of Paonia is excited to announce the award of $872,825 in new funding through the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) Safe Routes to School (SRTS) FY-2025 Grant Program. This award, officially approved by the CDOT Transportation Commission on April 16, 2025, will support the Safe Pathways for Paonia project—an infrastructure initiative aimed at improving safety and connectivity for students walking and biking to school at the 5th Street and Grand Avenue intersection.
While SRTS projects are typically funded through federal Transportation Alternatives funds, the Town of Paonia received special approval from CDOT Headquarters in Denver to maintain this award as state-funded, thanks to the Town of Paonia's exceptional planning and the advanced design stage of the project. This flexibility allows the Town to continue forward with minimal disruption and highlights the Town’s proactive approach and solid groundwork laid for the project’s success.
Although Temporary Construction Easements need to be finalized and an existing Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) needs to be updated with CDOT for the previously awarded Revitalizing Main Streets Grant, this transformative multi-modal project is fully funded and ready to break ground in 2025.
In total, the Town has secured $1,883,417 in supplemental funding for the Safe Pathways for Paonia project, combining the newly awarded $872,825 from SRTS with $1,010,592 previously awarded through CDOT’s Revitalizing Main Streets (RMS) Opportunity 1 and 2 programs from August 16, 2023. The RMS grant requires a $30,000 local cash match and focuses on enhancing pedestrian access and revitalization efforts along key corridors in Paonia’s downtown.
"We are grateful to CDOT for their continued partnership and support," said Stefen Wynn, Paonia Town Administrator & Treasurer. "This strategic investment in our streets and sidewalks will help transform Paonia into a safer, more connected, and more accessible place for everyone, especially our kids."
As of now, the Town is awaiting a Notice to Proceed from CDOT before it can move forward with project advertisement and construction. Residents can expect additional updates as details are finalized and next steps are confirmed. This project wouldn’t be possible without the entire Town of Paonia Team, from the Board of Trustees that authorized the project to the investigative and utility coordination of Public Works and a special thanks to the design firm, SGM for making sure that the design was sufficient for both CDOT and the Federal Highway Administration.
With several capital projects scheduled to break ground in 2025, the Town is also working on launching a dedicated webpage to provide regular progress updates and keep residents informed about all ongoing projects.
About the Town of Paonia
Located in Delta County, Colorado, the Town of Paonia is dedicated to transparent governance and the responsible management of all municipal services. From infrastructure and utilities to community development and public safety, the Town works to ensure fair, effective policies that serve the best interests of all residents and property owners. The Board of Trustees remains committed to thoughtful leadership and continuous improvement in every area of local government.
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