The Eastern Plains Badger

La Junta URA approves second Spark Grant round with up to $50,000

The authority removed the 10-project limit and broadened eligibility; a separate application seeks $5,352 for sign work, though its itemized budget totals $3,352.

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Sangre de Cristo Community Care’s existing storefront sign at its La Junta building. The organization’s Spark Grant application proposed sign improvements.
Sangre de Cristo Community Care’s existing storefront sign at its La Junta building. The organization’s Spark Grant application proposed sign improvements.

The La Junta Urban Renewal Authority approved a second 2026 round of Spark Grants, making up to $50,000 available and removing the previous 10-project limit during its July 23 meeting.

The authority also changed eligibility requirements. Applicants must be businesses registered with the state and in good standing, rather than businesses with a current city business license and properties in good standing, the meeting minutes show.

Awards will continue until the $50,000 is exhausted, so the round could fund more or fewer than 10 projects depending on award amounts. The city’s Spark Grant program document says grants are capped at $5,000 per business and applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

A separate application from Sangre de Cristo Community Care seeks $5,352 for improvements to the organization’s existing storefront sign at 207 Colorado Ave. The application lists no matching funds, and its itemized budget totals $3,352: $152.80 for a sign permit, $1,055.02 for electrical work and $2,145 for sign installation and a new sign face, the application materials show. The records do not explain the $2,000 difference between the request and the itemized budget.

The proposed work includes replacing the sign face, adding 84-inch high-output LED bulbs and related components, and installing a Lexan face with translucent vinyl and laminate. The application says work would begin in early August 2026 and finish in October 2026, but the supplied records do not establish whether it began or was completed.

The authority’s Aug. 27 agenda schedules the application for action. The available packet does not include minutes, a transcript or another post-meeting record showing approval, denial or another disposition, so the application should not be treated as an award from the second-round authorization.

The available records do not provide an opening date or closing deadline for the second round. They also do not identify first-round recipients, projects or award amounts. Authority staff said it would contact first-round participants for progress updates after the three-month project threshold was reached.