DENVER (AP) -- Conservation projects designed to preserve nearly 44,000 acres of open space and boost more than 35 community recreation projects are getting grants from Colorado Lottery proceeds.

Great Outdoors Colorado or GOCO announced grants totaling $9.6 million on Monday.

GOCO distributes proceeds from the state lottery for projects that protect and improve wildlife, parks, rivers, trails and open space.

The GOCO board planned to award $8 million in this round but increased the total, citing the need for local recreation in a tough economy when people can't travel as much.

The largest grant is $618,500 for open space in Dolores and Montezuma counties.

Projects, listed by county, getting grants Monday from Great Outdoors Colorado:

Baca County

-- Campo: Playground improvements, $44,940.

-- Walsh: Swimming pool renovation, $200,000.

Bent County

-- Las Animas: Swimming pool bathhouse, $170,171.

Boulder County

-- Boulder: Bike park, $200,000

-- Jamestown: Playground improvements, $44,750.00.

-- Erie: Community ball field, $199,391

Chaffee County

-- Salida: Arkansas River whitewater park and greenway, $162,050.

-- Salida: Open space, $155,231.

Clear Creek County

-- Idaho Springs: Park rehabilitation, $124,800.

-- Silver Plume: Open space, $34,638.

Conejos County

-- La Jara: Sports complex, $200,000.

Costilla County

-- Costilla County: Fort Garland Park project, $43,410.

Custer County

-- San Isabel Land Protection Trust: Harold G. Vickerman Ranch, $484,200.

Delta County

-- Delta County: Fairgrounds restroom-shower facility, $200,000.

Denver

-- Denver: Parkfield Lake Park Regional Playground, $200,000.

-- Denver: South Platte greenway implementation plan, $75,000.

Dolores and Montezuma counties

-- Montezuma Land Conservancy: Crescent Ranch, $618,455.

Eagle County

-- Gypsum: York View Park, $71,551.26.

El Paso County

-- Manitou Springs: Play park, $42,500.

-- El Paso County: Fairground pavilion project, $43,560.

-- Green Mountain Falls: Park enhancements, $14,689.

Fremont County

-- Canon City: Park enhancement, $34,550.

-- Fremont County: Baseball park Restrooms, $31,875.

-- Brookside: Park and trails, $162,200.

Grand County

-- The Conservation Fund: Snow Mountain Ranch, $455,000.

Gunnison County

-- Crested Butte, Parks and recreation master plan, $40,000.

-- Jackson County

-- Colorado Cattlemen's Agricultural Land Trust: Lucky Penny Ranch, $450,000.

Jefferson County

-- Edgewater: Playground, $60,881.

-- Evergreen Park and Recreation District: Playground improvements, $45,000.

-- Prospect Recreation and Park District: Park improvements, $100,000.

-- Arvada: Skate park, $200,000.

-- Wheat Ridge: Park, $200,000.

-- Apex Park and Recreation District: Park site plan, $26,417.

La Plata County

-- Durango: Horse Gulch Preservation Project, $234,500.

Mesa County

-- Fruita: Little Salt Wash Park, $200,000.

-- Grand Junction: Melrose Park redevelopment, $122,178.74.

-- Mesa Land Trust: Mesa community separator, $293,000.

Morgan County

-- Morgan County: Legion Field renovation, $93,000.

Otero County

-- Otero County: Fowler School District athletic field upgrade, $200,000.

Otero and Pueblo counties

-- The Nature Conservancy: Apishapa Ranch, $500,000.

Park County

-- Colorado Open Lands: Tarryall Creek Ranch, $600,000.

Pitkin County

-- Aspen: Harmony Park, $90,473.

Pueblo County

-- Pueblo: East Side Greenway, $75,000.

Rio Grande County

-- Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust: River Bend Ranch, $520,000.

Routt County

-- Steamboat Springs: Skate park , $200,000.

Saguache County

-- Vista Grande Parkland acquisition: $191,940.

San Miguel County

-- Norwood: Park Expansion, $33,228.42.

-- Ophir: Playground Addition, $36,000.

-- Telluride: Park pavilion bleachers, $20,945.

-- San Miguel County: Bray Ranch, $350,000.

-- Norwood Park and Recreation District: Parks, recreation, facilities and trails master plan, $15,000.

Summit County

-- Summit County: Turf project, $200,000.

Teller County

-- Palmer Land Trust: Markus Ranch, $303,000.

Weld County

-- Frederick: Recreation area, $200,000.

Yuma County

-- Yuma County: Wauneta Playground, $27,520.

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