The Colorado Department of Transportation’s Revitalizing Main Streets program on Thursday awarded over $600,000 to 14 cities, towns and public agencies across the state.

Each of the recipients must use the grant money to make “creative modifications” to state highways, local roads or other community space projects that will promote social distancing and economic activity, according to the media release. 

“The revitalizing main streets program is a great way for Coloradans to take an active role in use of their transportation and mobility infrastructure. From winterizing restaurant patios to increasing accessibility, Coloradans have come up with excellent ideas that will benefit our communities and economy while helping to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” said Gov. Jared Polis in the release. 

Colorado Springs, Crestone, Estes Park, Manitou Springs and Windsor will be using their funds to either extend current outdoor patio spaces for winter, or winterize and create an accessible area for outdoor dining. 

Others, like the Downtown Denver Partnership, will use the $36,000 awarded to them to construct a “Winter Village Park” for visitors along the 16th Street Mall that’ll have access to outdoor seating, dining and retail space after the holiday season. 

“CDOT is thrilled to see twelve more communities benefit from our innovative Revitalizing Main Streets program, which is supporting communities large and small as we help people and our economy stay active outside,” said Shoshana Lew, CDOT’s executive director.

Prior to Thursday’s announcement, Breckenridge and Colorado Springs previously received grant money through the program. 

The program kicked-off in June and has already awarded over $2.5 million through 59 grants across the state.

“We are pleased to see so many parts of the state putting this program to good use, including as we head into a winter, where continuing to focus on active transportation, even in the cold, will be especially important,” Lew said.