ALAMOSA — After applying for a competitive Department of Local Affairs grant in August, Alamosa County found out on Thursday that they will receive $648,740 to go towards the detention center expansion and remodeling. The funds come from the severance tax applied to oil, gas, coal, metals and other resources extracted in Colorado.

These specific dollars will help improve lighting fixtures, replace windows, upgrade plumbing and make other interior modifications such as creating a safety area for visitors like attorneys.

The grant will be matched by the one-cent-for-justice sales tax that has been used to fund the project.

“We are so relieved because it was so critical to do the redesign,” said Alamosa County Administrator Gigi Dennis.