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CCAA Basic Income Research Project Application 2026: Eagle County

The Colorado Community Action Association (CCAA) is piloting a research project to address issues stemming from the combination of high cost of living and low wages in rural Colorado communities.

Households will be selected from the following eight counties of Eagle, Huerfano, Las Animas, Moffat, Montrose, Ouray, Routt, and San Miguel to participate in the CCAA Basic Income Research Project. Through the CCAA Basic Income Research Project, program selected households will be provided with one-time direct financial assistance. This application is for residents of Eagle County only.
In order for your household to participate in the CCAA Basic Income Research Project, you must meet the following qualifications:
  1. Your household must reside within one of the following eight counties: Eagle, Huerfano, Las Animas, Moffat, Montrose, Ouray, Routt, or San Miguel. This application is for Eagle County applicants only. If you live in one of the other counties listed, please visit the CCAA website for the corresponding application for the county you currently reside in.
  2. Your household must meet income qualifications of being at 200% or below the Federal Poverty Level in 2026. If you need assistance determining your Federal Poverty Level, please visit https://cdphe.colorado.gov/federal-poverty-level-calculator.
Definitions:
Household: For purposes of determining income eligibility, the term “persons in family” in the HHS poverty guidelines means persons in a household. A household includes any individual or group of individuals who are living together as one economic unit. The income of each individual in the household who is 18 years old or older must be included in determining income eligibility. In determining whether an individual is part of a household, the person applying as head of household may consider factors such as whether the individual pays for their own food and occupancy.

Household Income: Your household income is the combined gross income of all individuals over the age of 18 in your household. To qualify for this program, your household's annual income must be at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. Income qualification will initially be self-certified. If selected, household income will be verified through your 2025 federal tax return. Alternatively, if your current income is lower than what was reported on your 2025 tax return, you may provide your most recent five months of pay stubs and bank statements as an alternative method of income qualification.
If your household is interested in participating in the CCAA Basic Income Research Project and currently resides in Eagle County, please fill out the following short application for residents of Eagle County only. If your household is selected in the random lottery, the CCAA will ask your household to provide documentation verifying you meet income qualifications and proof you currently reside in Eagle County. If you are selected to participate in the CCAA Basic Income Research Project, your household will be asked to complete surveys, assessments and questionnaires as part of the research project every six-months through 2028.

If your household meets the qualifications and is selected to participate in the program, your household will receive a one-time payment of $13,000. Please note this payment is considered taxable income by the IRS for 2026 tax purposes and will be reported to the IRS by the CCAA. Participants in the CCAA Basic Income Research Project are required to complete a W-9 for tax purposes and will be issued a 1099 at the end of 2026.

Applications are due by 5 pm MST on 05/26/2026.

Applicants are highly encouraged to submit applications electronically. If they are unable to access the application electronically, they may contact Abigail Smith at abigail@coloradocommunityaction.org to request a paper application.

Si desea completar esta solicitud en español, envíe un correo electrónico a Abigail Smith a abigail@coloradocommunityaction.org.
1.I certify I am the Head of Household for my family and have authority to submit this application.

Head of Household definition: Head of household refers to the primary person who provides for a family. The head of household provides practical support and maintenance to persons related to them by adoption , blood, or marriage who reside together; and such obligation is based on moral or legal responsibility.(Required.)
2.Informed Consent for Participation in the CCAA Targeted Basic Income Research Project

By submitting this application, I acknowledge and understand the following regarding my participation in the CCAA Targeted Basic Income Research Project:

I understand that this is a research project aimed at addressing issues stemming from the high cost of living and low wages in Colorado.

I acknowledge that my participation in this project is entirely voluntary.

I understand that if selected, I will be an Award Participant Client receiving a one-time payment of $13,000 in the 2026 program year. The payment will be made sometime between June-September dependent upon all application, in-take, and assessment requirements being satisfactorily completed by the applicant.

I understand that I will be required to complete initial and follow-up assessments on behalf of my household.

I understand that I will be required to complete a W-9 in the program and notify program staff of any contact information changes.

I understand that if selected, I will be required to complete online surveys every six months for three years following the initial payment. These surveys will include questions designed to determine if my household has achieved outcomes related to family self-sufficiency and economic security.

I understand that if selected, I will be required to submit income documentation from the date of the initial service through 2028 (2026, 2027, and 2028) as part of the program's follow-up assessments.

I understand that if I am not responsive to requests for follow-up information, including completing surveys and providing tax returns, I will not be considered for subsequent phases of the research project or program incentives.

I understand that this program is intended to be a one-time payment, and once my household has been selected as part of the award group, my household will not be eligible to reapply for this phase of the program in the future.

I understand that CCAA staff will review and analyze follow-up outreach surveys and tax returns, and report annually on service delivery and observed outcomes to the Board of Directors and through the CSBG Annual Report.

I understand that a copy of the grievance policy will be available on the CCAA's website and provided to households at the time of application.

I have read and understand the information provided above regarding the CCAA Targeted Basic Income Research Project, and I voluntarily consent to participate if selected.(Required.)
3.What is your first name?(Required.)
4.What is your last name?(Required.)
5.What is your home address?(Required.)
6.What is your mailing address (if different from your home address)?
7.What is your email address?(Required.)
8.What is your phone number?
9.I certify that I and my household are current residents of Eagle county.(Required.)
10.Please select the number of individuals included in your household (including yourself; see definition above).(Required.)
11.Please enter your Household annual gross income using the income definition from above.(Required.)
12.I certify that my household is at 200% or below of the Federal Poverty Line in 2026. I understand I will need to provide 2025 federal tax return documentation for the entire household if my household is selected to participate in the CCAA Basic Income Project showing I meet the income qualifications. If I am unable to provide documentation verifying my household meets the income qualifications, I understand my household will be not be able to participate in the CCAA Basic Income Project.

Additionally, if my household is found to not meet the income qualifications to participate in the CCAA Basic Income Project, my household will not be able to participate in the program.

If you do not know if you meet the income qualifications, please click here for a federal poverty level calculator: https://cdphe.colorado.gov/federal-poverty-level-calculator(Required.)
13.Please enter your annual Household Level of Household Income using the definition of income above.(Required.)
14.I certify that I understand that if my household is selected, I will receive a one-time payment of $13,000. If needed, a waitlist will be generated of those not selected through the lottery to participate, and if an opening occurs then a new random lottery selection will take place with households that are placed on the waitlist.(Required.)
15.I acknowledge the $13,000 payment will be reported to the IRS as taxable income and understand that this may impact the amount of taxes owed for 2026. Additionally, I understand the CCAA cannot provide any tax assistance or direct tax advice.
16.I acknowledge that receiving a $13,000 one-time payment may affect my current and future benefits (SNAP, TANF, SSI, etc). I have considered those impacts and accept them.