The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced that Colorado will receive a $705,473 grant to enhance its dam safety efforts.

Rich Hansen, FEMA Region 8 Dam Safety Program Specialist, said the annual funding comes from the National Dam Safety State Assistance Grant Program, which provides financial assistance for activities such as dam safety training, inspections, development and testing of emergency action plans, and outreach programs.

Colorado is home to more than 1,800 dams, including dams owned by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and dams regulated by the Division of Water Resources Dam Safety Branch, and vary in size from large concrete hydroelectric structures to earthen embankments often found at local reservoirs

Each plays a vital role in the state’s overall infrastructure, providing water, power, flood control, recreational opportunities, and economic impact, according to the news release.

“Over the last 10 years, Colorado has received approximately $2.4 million in NDSP State Assistance grant funding,” Hansen said in the release.

FEMA estimates the average age of dams in the United States to be 61 years.

“While a dam’s age is not necessarily a direct indicator of its condition, it could indicate that it was not built to today’s standards,” noted a FEMA statement announcing the grant award. “This funding is meant to address some of these concerns.”

Any state is eligible to apply, provided it has a dam safety program authorized by its state legislation and is working toward meeting specific criteria and budgeting requirements to maintain that program, Hansen said.