Research Corner: Preview of 2026 State of our Cities and Towns Report — State and federal funding for municipal projects

Each year, the Colorado Municipal League’s State of our Cities and Towns survey collects information from our members on a range of municipal issues. This year, the survey focused on municipal budgeting and financing.

Questions about state and federal funding were included in the survey, and results shed light on how our members are adapting to changes in federal and state funding priorities.

Survey responses regarding projects that pursued state or federal funding vary by municipality size and region. Among communities on the Eastern Plains, water and wastewater infrastructure funding was pursued at a higher rate both in state and federal funding categories. Meanwhile, pedestrian or cyclist safety funding was most popular among large and Front Range municipalities.

Take a peek at and interact with data highlighting how Colorado municipalities pursued state and federal funding since January 2024.

Thank you to the municipalities who participated in this year’s survey. The 18^th annual State of our Cities and Towns Report will be released in January 2026.