TGA-Range Improvement Funds

2023 TGA Application 

Applications due on or before March 6, 2023

2023 TGA Ranking Rubric

New in 2023, the Routt County Noxious Weed Advisory Board will utilize the above Ranking Rubric to prioritize projects. It is encouraged you review this rubric and incorporate applicable information into your application. 

Applications should be submitted prior to work commencement and will be reviewed by the Noxious Weed Advisory Board and the Board of County Commissioners. Projects are to be completed by the end of the calendar year, though multi-year projects may be submitted with detailed annual work plans and annual completion thresholds submitted. Projects are reviewed on a case by case bases but historically funding is awarded for half of a project cost, usually for materials. If approved, monies are awarded as reimbursements and must have accompanying receipts, supporting documents and photographic evidence of work completion. Priority will be given to projects submitted by Routt County BLM permittees, but not to the exclusion of other applicants where projects may benefit range management in Routt County.

Taylor Grazing Act Background

The Taylor Grazing Act (TGA) funds are collected by the Federal government. The Federal government allows for the lease of Federal property in Routt County for grazing. As part of the TGA a portion of the lease is distributed to the State and the State distributes the TGA funds to the County. The TGA funds are deposited in the County’s Range Improvement Fund. The State legislature provides the following directions as to how the funds can be spent. The TGA funds shall be expended within Routt County for such purposes as may be directed by the Board of County Commissioners which include range improvements and maintenance, predatory animal control, rodent control, poisonous or noxious weed extermination, the purchase or rental of land and water rights, or for the purpose of the general welfare of livestock grazing or for any similar purpose.

The county prior to 2010 had been distributing the TGA funds to a Grazing District. In 2010 an analysis of the Federal and State statues was completed and it was determined that Routt County was not part of any Grazing District and the TGA funds should have been distributed by the Routt County Board of County Commissioners in accordance with State statute. This determination by the County resulted in a significant amount of intervention by the Grazing District to remain the recipient of the TGA funds and their distribution. In addition, the County wanted to have greater accountability as the use of TGA funds distributed by the Grazing Districts in the past and in the future. Resolution was made amongst the various parties in 2015, whereby the Board of County Commissioners will distribute the TGA funds in accordance with State statue. The County in 2015 sent out a request for proposal to entities to review proposals for the use of TGA funds. The County did not receive a request for proposal. As a result the Routt County Weed Board has accepted a request to act as an advisory board to the Board of County Commissioners for the distribution of TGA funds. The grazing lease holders have been asked by the Weed Board to provide recommendations for the distribution of TGA funds.