1. Brush! All-America City 2014

2. 2013 – learning the All-America City ropes
Jumped in at last minute and made it as finalist
Came not quite knowing what to expect
Did not get designation, but certainly came back with a greater understanding of what we needed to bring next time

3. 2014 – stepping things up
In November, we began putting together committee of community members
Met in January for first meeting to begin planning
Main focus was application and projects we would focus on
Met every month over lunch, watched previous winners presentations while we ate, then got to work
Had four writers as part of committee who each had a part
‘Sub-committee’ met every couple of weeks

4. Projects
Healthy Collaboration - COMOM (2011)

5. Projects
Healthy Commerce – Downtown Revitalization Project ( )

6. Projects
Healthy Community – Focuses on improving local healthcare (Hospital Expansion, HEAL City, Weigh and Win program, parks and recreation)

7. Downtown Revitalization Project
Downtown was in disrepair, out of code, curbs too high, lighting was terrible, flooding was a big problem
In 2006 a steering committee established to discuss reviving downtown
Two big challenges: 4.35 million dollar budget; construction of new downtown is a long process that could kill businesses

8. Downtown Revitalization Project
In 2006, citizens approved ballot measure to increase sales tax 0.6% to put money aside solely for street improvement
Improvement district was created for businesses
Received grant for $120,000 from DOLA to fund engineering and design, and $938,000 from CDOT for construction costs
Project was split up into three phases, and construction began in 2010

9. Downtown Revitalization Project
Community and Chamber of Commerce rallied around businesses to show additional support during construction
Primary focus of project completed in 2012
Nine new businesses in downtown since then
Sales tax figures have grown 20% from 2009 to 2013
2010 Brush! awarded Best Downtown Management Program Implementation Award by the State of Colorado
2013 the City received the Governor’s Award for Downtown Excellence - Best Public Space for a Main Street

11. Prepare for presentation
Put together presentation committee to work on what and how we wanted to present Brush! at competition

12. Prepare for presentation
In final weeks we met multiple times to practice presentation
First time everyone practiced together was the morning of the presentation (yikes!)

13. Celebration!

14. Celebration!