UAACOG stands for the Upper Arkansas Area Council of Governments. It is an organization dedicated to serving the Upper Arkansas region of Colorado with a mission to strengthen the communities in this region. UAACOG provides a wide array of services that focus on community development, support, and well-being.

This includes initiatives that promote senior health and independence, local business growth, child and family wellness, housing accessibility, rural transportation projects, and more. The main purpose is to ensure sustainable growth in the region and enhance the quality of life for its residents.

UAACOG is a quasi-governmental 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides community services in Chaffee, Custer, Fremont, and Lake Counties. Several of UAACOG's individual programs serve communities in other counties including Huerfano, Park, Teller, and Saguache.

Major programs offered by UAACOG include: Head Start, Area Agency on Aging, WIC (Women, Infants, and Children), housing assistance programs (Section 8, Housing Counseling, Home Repair, and Self-Help), business loans, and transportation.

When and why was UAACOG established?

The Upper Arkansas Area Council of Governments (UAACOG) was formed in 1974 under Federal Legislation and Colorado State Executive Order allowing the formation of “regional councils”. In Colorado, Councils of Government (COG) and economic development districts are voluntary collaborations formed under state regulations.

Planning and Management Region 13 represents one of the 14 planning and management regions in Colorado. These regional councils were established according to the boundaries of each region. Each council is unique and has evolved to reflect the needs and opportunities of its respective region.

For UAACOG, serving Region 13 means focusing on the unique needs of Fremont, Chaffee, Lake, and Custer Counties, ensuring that community services are provided efficiently on a regional basis and emphasizing the interconnectedness of the region's inhabitants both socially and economically.

Upper Arkansas Area Council of Governments (UAACOG) activities are directed by its Board of Directors, which is comprised of eight elected officials representing the four counties. This includes one commissioner from each county and one municipal elected official (usually the mayor) from each county. The staff of UAACOG is responsible for executing the directives of the Council.

In Colorado, Councils of Government (COG) and economic development districts are voluntary collaborations formed under state regulations. These councils act as platforms for local governments to pinpoint and strategize around regional challenges and prospects, streamlining oversight for assorted regional initiatives.

The array of services these councils and districts offer is diverse, executed collaboratively with member governments, the business community, and state or federal allies.

The Colorado Association of Regional Organizations (CARO) was established in 2008, uniting Colorado's 14 planning and management regions. This overarching body supports regional entities in enhancing their service capacities for local governments. It also facilitates routine information and idea exchanges, educates governmental bodies, private entities, and the public about regional services, and advocates for regional groups at both state and federal levels.

Since its establishment in 1974, Upper Arkansas Area Council of Governments (UAACOG) has transformed in response to the changing needs and opportunities of the region. While there isn't a universal model for regional councils of governments, UAACOG has become the organization it is today by prioritizing the economic and social evolution of its region.

Over the years, its services have adapted and expanded, but the core principle of regional cooperation and coordination remains more relevant than ever. Today, UAACOG serves as an umbrella organization offering programs that cater to various aspects of life, from infants and children to workforce, housing, business assistance, and senior services.

UAACOG, the Upper Arkansas Area Council of Governments, collaborates closely with local municipalities within its served counties through its Board of Directors, which consists of elected officials from the four counties, including one commissioner from each county and one municipal elected official (typically the mayor) from each county. This board structure ensures that the voice and needs of each local municipality are considered in UAACOG's decision-making processes.

Moreover, UAACOG serves as an umbrella organization, providing a multitude of community services that cater to diverse needs, ranging from infant care to senior services, business assistance, and housing. The organization works hand in hand with local governments to identify regional issues and implement programs that might not be as practical or efficient to deliver on an individual municipal basis.

Through this integrated approach, UAACOG embodies regional cooperation and coordination, ensuring that services are efficiently provided and cater to the unique needs of each area within the region.

UAACOG is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Yes, your donations are tax deductible. Is your passion for early childhood education? Then your donation can specifically go to Head Start. Do you want to help improve the lives of women, infants and children? Then make your donation specifically to the WIC Program. If you have any questions, please call our main office at (719) 275-8350.

UAACOG's responsibility to the communities served means we must be transparent with our actions. To that end, the annual report and financial audits are available for public access on our financial page. Also on that page is a copy of our 501(c)(3) certificate of designation from the IRS.

Donors can choose how their donated funds are spent. As an example, one couple wanted their donation to help increase medical training and employment in only one county served. Their donation was spent in accordance with their wishes. It is your money. You choose how it is spent!

Upper Arkansas Area Council of Governments (UAACOG) takes your privacy seriously and takes steps to protect and ensure the safety of our supporters. We do not sell or otherwise disclose information about our volunteers or supporters outside of our immediate organization. This policy has no exceptions. We do not sell or exchange your information with any other organizations, public, private or nonprofit.

For more detailed information see our Privacy Policy. We, however, would love to tell the world of your generosity! Any donor wishing to be recognized will be highlighted on our website for a minimum of 30 days. UAACOG requires a signed consent to release information for us to post your name, city, and picture (if provided) on our site.