U.S. Attorney Dunn Announces $58k Grant to Mesa County to Fight COVID-19

DENVER – U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn announced a $58,620 grant to Mesa County from the Department of Justice to help communities fighting COVID-19.   

The grant is the latest to be awarded as part of a $14 million allocation for local jurisdictions across the state of Colorado.  The City of Grand Junction Police Department was also awarded $91,671 last month to help it purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) and sanitize its vehicles. 

“Our law enforcement officers are used to being on the front lines of a crisis, but the coronavirus is like nothing they – or any of us – have faced before,” Dunn said.   “The DOJ wants to make sure that as officers are out there protecting and interacting with members of the community that they have the extra resources necessary to encounter these extraordinary circumstances.” 

The grants are part of the Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding (CESF) Program, authorized by the recent stimulus legislation signed by President Trump.  The funds are designated for a wide range of purposes such as overtime, PPE, hiring, meeting the medical needs of inmates, and travel expenses for the distribution of resources in COVID-19 impacted areas. 

Other jurisdictions can find out if they are eligible and apply immediately by visiting this website. The Justice Department is awarding grants on a rolling basis and aiming to have funds available for drawdown as soon as possible after receiving applications.