Douglas County to give funds from Denver Broncos sale to youth programs

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

e sale of the Denver Broncos in 2022 opened up millions in funding to Denver-area governments, and Douglas County is determining how to spend its nearly $1 million share of the pro ts on youth programs.

e county hopes to fund as many programs as it can, said Maureen Waller, special projects manager for the county.

“Of course, how many are ultimately funded will depend on how many apply and how much they request,” Waller said. “And since we plan to use the Youth Commission to evaluate the applications, it will depend on them too.”

Made up of Douglas youth, the Douglas County Youth Commission advises the county’s elected leaders on matters pertaining to youth and teens in the county.

As one of seven counties in the e Metropolitan Football Stadium District is a government body that was created for the purpose of planning, acquiring land and constructing Mile High Stadium, which is now called Empower Field at Mile High. e district was authorized to collect a sales tax of one-tenth of 1% throughout the district’s area from 2001 through 2011. e sales tax assists the district in nancing the acquisition of land, construction of the stadium and payments of debt service, according to its website. e funding for youth activities comes from the $4.65 billion sale of the Denver Broncos to the WaltonPenner Group, which resulted in a $41 million refund to the seven counties and 40 municipalities

Metropolitan Football Stadium District, Douglas County was awarded the funds late last year that, by law, must be used for youth activities programs, according to a news release.