Recap: May 2025 Coalition Meeting

Highlights from the DOTI/CALC Micro-Grant Information Session

Visual of May 2025 Coalition Meeting Flyer

On May 28, 2025, the Community Active Living Coalition (CALC), part of the Denver Department of Transportation & Infrastructure (DOTI), hosted a lively and well-attended Micro-Grant information session—bringing together over 50 community members, creatives, advocates, and organizational partners both in person and online.

Who Showed Up

The energy in the room and on screen reflected the diversity and passion of Denver’s communities. We welcomed:

• 26 in-person attendees

• 21 online participants

• 6 dedicated staff facilitators

Together, participants represented over 30 unique organizations across neighborhoods and focus areas—from youth advocacy and cultural arts to trauma-informed care, environmental justice, and faith communities.

A Community-Driven Program, Reimagined

This year’s session focused on exciting updates to the Micro-Grant Program, which supports grassroots projects that encourage active transportation and make Denver’s streets safer, more vibrant, and more connected. With a strong emphasis on equity and accessibility, the program is rolling out several changes aimed at making the Micro-Grant proposal and implementation process more collaborative and user-friendly.

Key Updates for 2025

• A new application platform, Submittable, replaces Microsoft Forms. This user-friendly system allows applicants to save drafts, monitor communications, collaborate, and track submissions across years.

• The review process has evolved—no more scoring rubric or reapplication requirement for those who don't meet a fundable score. Instead, Grant Officers will work directly with applicants to support project feasibility and success.

• When proposing a project this year, additional location and risk assessment questions will be asked to give Grant Officers a head start in identifying project permitting and safety needs.

• Grantees will receive payment in two phases, first when consulting with Grant Officers during the preparation of your project, and second at completion of the project and reflection. Ultimately, this increases project awards!

  
  

Funding Themes That Reflect Community Needs

Applicants are encouraged to align their proposals with one of the program’s three themes:

• Safe Routes to School – supporting youth and active transportation near schools.

• Vision Zero – promoting safety for all modes of travel across the city.

• Vibrant Denver – enhancing our streets through beautification, climate goals, and creative expression.

These themes were intentionally kept broad to invite innovation and community wisdom. Several attendees raised creative ideas that blur the lines between categories—and that’s exactly the kind of intersectional thinking the program welcomes.

Questions, Collaboration, and Coaching

A lively Q&A followed the presentation, with thoughtful questions about insurance requirements, co-hosted events, multiple organization partnerships, and what happens if a project includes public art (hint: it may include an art review).

The facilitation team emphasized that insurance is required for all projects, whether led by individuals or organizations, and that creative problem-solving is encouraged—especially when working with community partners or navigating cost barriers.

The team also shared that the application will go live in the second week of June, with a link and detailed instructions provided through a special CALC newsletter.

What’s Next

Stay tuned for a special CALC newsletter mid-June with details on how to apply and a link to the Micro-Grants webpage with all Frequently Asked Questions.

We’re excited to see what creative, community-rooted projects will bloom from this year’s Micro-Grant cycle. As always, thank you for being part of this movement to make Denver a safer, more vibrant place—one block at a time.

Check out the presentation slides, more details, and notes from questions asked at this meeting here: 2025 Community Active Living Coalition Meeting Agendas