Washington, D.C. – Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D) and Cory Gardner (R) today announced that 56 local governments in Colorado are receiving a total of $40.1 million under the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program. PILT provides funding to counties which contain federal land within their borders, offsetting the lost property tax revenue that comes from the non-taxable federal land located within the counties.

“It’s welcome news that Colorado communities will receive more than $40 million in funding so counties can provide basic services like road maintenance and law enforcement,” Bennet said. “This underscores why we’ve fought for years to fully fund PILT and find a long-term solution to provide counties and local governments sustained funding and predictability.”

“I’ve been a staunch advocate for the PILT program, and I support the federal government’s commitment to the communities that will receive this funding across Colorado,” Gardner said. “These grants, which are used for critical services like law enforcement and infrastructure investments, prove why it is so important for Congress to fully fund the PILT program.”

“Local communities contribute significantly to our nation's economy, food and energy supply, and help define the character of our diverse and beautiful country,” Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said. “These investments often serve as a lifeline for local communities as they juggle planning and paying for basic services like public safety, fire-fighting, social services and transportation.”