Active people in the Pikes Peak Region have known for years that the Incline is an important part of the outdoor community.

The people at Great Outdoors Colorado agree. On Wednesday, Incline Friends learned that the Incline has received a grant for $350,000. The money will be used to fix damaged sections of the old railway bed, and solve drainage and erosion problems.

The Incline was the top-rated project in the state, according to Great Outdoors Colorado. El Paso County projects received more than $1.4 million in GOCO grant funds. The Ute Valley Gateway, Phase II, was awarded $1,008,500. Grant money was also provided for Black Forest fire restoration, as well as fire mitigation and trail work on Iron Mountain near Manitou Springs.

The Incline grant provides much needed momentum to a project years in the making, but there are still fundraising goals that must be met. Incline Friends, the organization responsible for raising money to fix the Incline, must provide additional funds of $200,000 before the project can be completed. 

Incline Friends is currently a part of the Indy Give! fundraising campaign and is accepting online donations here. 

The Incline Friends released a statement earlier today: "We are in the final push! The Incline received a $350,000 grant from Great Outdoors Colorado, the top-rating project in the state. Incline Friends must now raise our portion, $200,000, to ensure the improvement project is completed. The Incline is our favorite community treasure. Please help support it now."

More information about the Incline is available at InclineFriends.com.

Click here for a list of all GOCO grant recipients and the amounts ...