DENVER—Gov. John Hickenlooper says more than $54 million in revenue from state severance tax collections and federal mineral leases will be distributed to Colorado communities and schools this year, up from $37 million last year.
State officials said Thursday the increase is partly because tax credits taken for 2009 were higher than for 2010. Mineral lease revenues, production and prices also rose.
The distributions are meant to help communities whose roads, schools and other infrastructure are affected by energy and mineral production.
State figures show Weld County and its cities and schools are receiving a total of about $8 million, while Garfield County is receiving about $10 million.
Money is distributed based on factors including a community’s mineral production, number of mining and well permits, and population of industry workers.
