The Mesa County Federal Mineral Lease District awarded five grants totaling $348,781 for its 2025 grant cycle to entities in Mesa County, according to a news release from the district.

The Town of De Beque was awarded a traditional grant of $157,799 for engineering work on the De Beque River Park project.

Mini Grant Awards were distributed as follows:

• Gateway-Unaweep Fire Protection District received $45,982 for the Motorola XTS Replacement Project.
• Town of Palisade Police Department received $45,000 for the K9 Public Safety Program for Schools & Community.
• Caprock Academy received $50,000 for upgrades to its Safety and Security Program.
• Chipeta Elementary School received $50,000 for a park water fountain, shade and locks

“The grant funding we receive from oil and gas leases are meant to support our community and address local impacts. The board is thrilled to fund these projects, which will enhance Mesa County for years to come,” said Dusti Reimer, grant administrator for the district.

The funding for these grants comes from federal mineral lease payments distributed to the State of Colorado, Department of Local Affairs, which then allocates funds to counties, municipalities, and federal mineral lease districts impacted by federal mineral leasing activity. Approximately 70 percent of the land in Mesa County is publicly owned and rich with various mineral deposits, the news release said.

For more information about the mineral lease district, grant eligibility and grant cycles, visit www.mesafml.org. For up-to-date information regarding meetings and grant-project progress, follow the district on Facebook and X.