The Pikes Peak Badger

10 groups seek $113,000 from Castle Rock program with $45,000 available

The applications seek support for food, shelter, rent and utility assistance. Town rules allow grants to no more than five organizations, with the Public Safety Commission recommending awards to Town Council.

Douglas County

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Ten organizations have requested a combined $113,000 from Castle Rock’s 2027 Philip S. Miller Resource Grant Program, which has $45,000 available and allows grants to no more than five organizations. The applications seek support for food, housing, shelter and other basic needs; they are requests, not awards.

The Public Safety Commission’s Oct. 1 minutes list the organizations’ requests and proposed uses:

  • Aging Resources of Douglas County requested $10,000 for fuel, vehicle maintenance and a transportation database to help older adults and wheelchair users reach grocery stores, food pantries and other food resources.
  • American Legion Harry C. Miller Post 1187 requested $7,000 to help homeless or low-income veterans and current service members with food, shelter, clothing, water and energy costs.
  • Catholic Charities of Central Colorado’s Castle Rock office requested $9,000 for emergency water and energy assistance to households facing utility disconnection.
  • Castle Rock Community Inter Church Task Force, which operates the Help & Hope Center, requested $20,000 for costs of obtaining, transporting, storing and distributing food through its pantry.
  • Christ’s Episcopal Church Backpack Ministry requested $5,000 to buy food for weekend meals for students in need at Castle Rock Elementary School.
  • Ember Center requested $15,000 toward 100 nights of emergency shelter for survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.
  • Faith Lutheran Church Food Pantry requested $5,000 for food purchases for its shelves.
  • New Hope Presbyterian Church requested $7,000 for rental assistance through its Deacon Benevolence program.
  • Saint Vincent de Paul Society of Castle Rock requested $15,000 for temporary motel stays, rent, gas, water or electricity assistance, and food for its pantry.
  • TESSA requested $20,000 for operating costs of the 35-bed Douglas County Safehouse Program in 2027.

The requests total $68,000 more than the program’s $45,000 budget. The town’s program rules say eligible applications must address at least one necessity of life: water, energy, food or shelter assistance. The Public Safety Commission reviews applications and recommends grants to Town Council; council approval is required before award letters are sent.

The town says 2027 grants are awarded the following year and lists Jan. 1-15 as the period for full or first payments to approved grantees.