Colorado BLM gets about $21 million in stimulus funds

DENVER ” The U.S. Bureau of Land Management will receive nearly $21 million in stimulus funds to repair buildings and roads, install solar panels and restore wildlife habitat on public land in Colorado.

The funds are part of $305 million in federal stimulus money BLM will use for improvements and renewable energy projects nationwide.

About $6 million will be used for building improvements and $4.4 million for maintenance at BLM sites across Colorado.

Nearly $3 million will help restore habitat for sage grouse, bighorn sheep, fish and other wildlife. Another $1.1 million is set aside for cleaning up and closing abandoned mines.

The funds are part of the Interior Department’s $3 billion share of the $787 billion stimulus package.