By Rocky Mountain Voice Staff
Six counties have been awarded $894,411 in grant funding by the Colorado Secretary of State’s Electronic Recording Technology Board, a release received by Rocky Mountain Voice reads.
The counties being funded are Arapahoe, Cheyenne, Clear Creek, Dolores, Pueblo and Yuma for indexing and digitizing of county records and to improve public accessibility to historical documents.
“The grant money we’ve awarded to Arapahoe, Cheyenne, Clear Creek, Dolores, Pueblo and Yuma Counties represents an investment in Colorado’s future,” the release announcing the awards reads. “It’s a privilege to be able to support these counties in their commitment to preserving historical records and making documents more accessible for their constituents.”
Government grants generally represent funds derived from taxpayers and redirected for specific causes. The grant award communication was each directed toward the county clerk and recorder.
A majority of the funds are designated to Arapahoe and Pueblo County. The Secretary of State’s office announced Arapahoe County would receive $508,288, while Pueblo County would receive $277,963. Other award amounts include Cheyenne County for $21,366, Clear Creek County for $21,366, Dolores County for $9,587 and Yuma County for $52,972.
Created in 2016 with the mission of developing, maintaining, improving, replacing, or preserving land records systems, the ERTB’s statutory authority was renewed in 2021 with new legislation that allows the board to consider security improvements for counties’ land recording systems, the release reads. The grants help counties – especially in rural Colorado – invest in technological upgrades. Since its creation, the board has awarded more than $10 million dollars to ensure county clerks are able to improve and maintain property records and other important documents, the release reads.