2026 Grant Recommendations
On an annual basis, the Town of Frisco considers requests from 501c3 non-profits for in-kind services and micro grants up to $5,000 through the Summit County common grant application. This year, the Town received 65 applications for the micro grant and/or in-kind services request process. The request for cash funding totaled $194,800, and the request for in-kind donations totaled $43,654.
The Town also manages the Frisco Community Impact Grant Program that was first introduced in 2023. The purpose of this grant is to create a formal, annual process for evaluating investments in non-profit projects that support the Town’s goals within the budget cycle and that have an exceptional impact on the Frisco community, requiring a higher level of support. This year, the Town received seven applications for the Community Impact Grant program, with a total funding request of $326,000
A subcommittee of two Town Council Members and Town staff reviewed all nonprofit grant applications and presented their funding recommendations to Council during the September 23, 2025, work session. The staff memo gives a summary of the proposed recommendations from staff and the Council subcommittee which includes a cash funding amount of $89,700 for micro-grants, $43,654 for in-kind donations, and $80,000 for Frisco’s Community Impact Grant. Frisco’s support for non-profits is budgeted at nearly $1.3 million across all funding opportunities and grants.
Council Discussion & Direction
For 2026, Council approved the micro and Community Impact Grant recommendations that were presented.
Capital Plan Discussion
As part of the annual budget process, a five-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) must be submitted to Town Council at the same time as the submission of the proposed budget. The first reading of the 2026 budget will be presented to Council on October 14, 2025. The purpose of the work session on September 23, 2025, was to review the details of the CIP and solidify budget recommendations over the next five years.
Council adopted a 10-year capital plan in February 2025 to guide future projects over the next 10 years. Since the adoption of the 10-year capital plan, there have been some significant updates that may change priorities when reviewing the 5-year capital budget, which are outlined in the staff report:
- Complete Streets & Granite Street costs: Cost estimates for this project have increased from roughly $12 million to roughly $14.5 million, thereby increasing the amount needed to borrow over the course of 20 years. Per Council direction, staff would pursue financing options to complete this project. Borrowing up to $14.5 million with a 20-year repayment would result in an annual debt payment of $970,000 to the capital fund, with the first payment in 2027.
- Community Priorities: Staff engaged Magellan Strategies during the summer of 2025, to gauge the public’s interest and support for a potential tax increase. Council ultimately decided not to pursue a tax increase question to the Frisco voters in 2025 but, results from the survey indicate that the top community priorities are wildfire mitigation, trail construction, and infrastructure.
- Economic Uncertainty: The uncertainty of the current economic climate, especially around the tourism economy, may deprioritize projects due to the costs and dependence on future, uncertain revenues.
- CDOT Input: The Town received feedback from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) Exit 203 Project Manager that they would prefer the Town not pursue capital projects happening in CDOT’s project area between 2026 and 2028.
- Added Critical Project: Over the past year it has become readily apparent that the Town needs to update the audio/visual (AV) components in Council Chambers. $150,000 will be added into the 2026 capital plan to accomplish this work.
Council Discussion & Direction
Frisco Capital Projects Senior Manager, Addison Cannino, presented two Complete Street scenarios to Town Council during the work session to gauge their feedback on how Council would like to purse this project, given the updates presented.
- Scenario One: Full financing of Complete Streets
- This scenario is consistent with the plan Council adopted in February, showing an updated project cost of $14.5 million with the Town financing for the entire project and constructing the project over two years. This would add an approximate $970,000 annual debt payment beginning in 2027 for the next 20 years. This scenario presents a problem to the plan fund balance in 2030, unless other projects planned in 2030 get pushed out to a future year.
- Scenario Two: Complete Streets with no debt
- Staff would pause on pursuing this project in 2025 and reimagine the Granite Street Project in 2026 to pinpoint the most critical components that would need to be completed, then budget accordingly starting in 2027 or a future year. This would give staff time to identify options for the Council to consider for implementation and allow analysis with the Town’s contracted engineers to narrow this project to its most critical elements for future implementation and/or lower cost. In this scenario, staff would prepare a five-year capital plan for the 2026 Budget that does not include financing a $14.5 million project in 2026, but would put an appropriate amount of pay-as-you-go dollars in the Complete Streets project line, starting in 2027, that would start to build over time to consider implementing this project in a phased approach.
Council chose to move forward with scenario two, taking a pause on the Complete Streets Project. Staff will reevaluate the design and identify critical areas for the project starting in 2026. Council expressed having a conservative spending approach, especially with the uncertainty of the economy.
Council also agreed to add the proposed changes to the five-year capital plan:
- Move Exit 203 Landscape Design project and the Highway 9 Walmart Lusher Gap Sidewalk Construction projects to be implemented in 2029. Smaller design costs for these projects have been included in 2027, so the Town can apply for grants.
- Staff added $150,000 to re-do the AV equipment in the Council Chambers in 2026.
- We have eliminated the Burying Overhead Power Line project, to build more funds with Xcel and have that project 100% covered by revenue from Xcel.
Out of Frisco Boundary Water Service Request
In 2023, Ordinance 23-05 was approved, which modified Chapter 171 of the Town code by adding an application process for out-of-town boundaries water service/taps. This process requires prospective water users outside the Town of Frisco to submit a written application, dedicate water rights or pay a fee in lieu of water rights, submit a written will-serve letter from Frisco Sanitation District, and other conditions per the ordinance. Town Council may then deny or grant the request with conditions based on the “best interest of Town residents”. In addition, the ordinance states that the Council will consider whether the request will result in detrimental secondary impacts to Town or its residents.
On May 20, 2025, the owner of 0721 Temple Trail, Bills Ranch, submitted an extra-territorial water application for the property. The application is for one EQR; an EQR is the typical amount of water resources used by a typical single-family residence.
Review of this request has determined that the request is consistent with the provisions of Ordinance 23-05 and does not present any conflicts with existing Town policies or water service obligations. The Town’s current water supply and rights portfolio are sufficient to accommodate the proposed service without adverse impact to in-town customers. Additionally, the proposed agreement includes the standard terms and conditions for extraterritorial water service, ensuring consistency, equity, and enforceability
The applicant elected to pay in-lieu fees in place of dedicating water rights. All costs of construction and maintenance of the service line and any other required infrastructure will be the responsibility of the property owner. The property is currently served by the Frisco Sanitation District, and the owner will be required to maintain connection to the Sanitation District. There is a water main that can easily be tapped just off of south Seventh Ave.
Council Decision
Town Council approved the extra-territorial water service agreement for the residence located 0721 Temple Trail, Bills Ranch.
Loan Approval for PFAS Removal Facility at Well #7
On December 1, 2021, the Town of Frisco engaged with contract engineer Plummer Associates, Inc., to study, develop, and implement a small-scale pilot program for the removal of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). The pilot study was conducted from February 2023 through June 2024 and evaluated the performance of four different filter media types, consisting of Ion Exchange (IOX) and Granular Activated Carbon (GAC). The results demonstrated that both technologies were highly effective at removing PFAS.
After evaluating filter performance, life cycle costs, handling, and disposal considerations, the Town selected GAC as the preferred treatment technology for a full-scale PFAS removal facility. In June 2024, the Town applied to the State Revolving Fund (SRF) and successfully advanced through the program’s rigorous review process, resulting in the award of an $8,200,000 loan with 100% principal forgiveness.
The PFAS removal project is now nearing completion of its permitting phase and is anticipated to begin construction bidding for the water treatment facility by Fall 2025.
Council Decision
Town Council adopted Ordinance 25-12 on the first reading, authorizing the Town of Frisco to enter into a loan agreement with the State of Colorado, Drinking Water Revolving Fund for $8,200,000. The loan provides 100% principal forgiveness through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund and will be applied to the construction of a PFAS removal facility at Well #7. The second reading is scheduled for October 14, 2025.
Short Term Rental Code Amendments
Ordinance 25-11 proposes changes to the administration of short-term rental licenses which includes and is outlined in the staff report:
- Transitioning from the Finance Director to the Community Development Director
- Removal of language concerning building permits submitted by October 11, 2022
- Clarifying applications must be submitted electronically and an application fee of $25 must be paid to enter the waitlist
- Updating verbiage from bedroom to sleeping area and he or she to refer to the official title
Council Decision
Town Council adopted Ordinance 25-11 on the first reading. The second reading is scheduled for October 14, 2025.
Frisco Town Council Meetings: Ways to Participate
Frisco Town Council meetings are available to view via Civic Plus Resident Portal, Zoom and YouTube, and are also held in person to make Town Council meetings easier to access for everyone.
The public can provide comment during meetings via Zoom or in person (not YouTube), and a public comment period will be available at 7:00pm; during the consideration of ordinances; and at the discretion of Town Council during work session items, which are discussions that don’t require a formal vote by Town Council and do not require public comment. Again, this hybrid approach is intended to make Town Council meetings more accessible, and meeting recordings will typically also be made available the day after a meeting in the meeting archive with agenda topics bookmarked to the discussions in the video.