Jefferson County will grant nearly $56,400 to help local jurisdictions replace trees damaged during a severe storm last summer.

The cities of Arvada and Wheat Ridge and the Apex Park & Recreation District lost trees when a hail storm hit on July 20 and uprooted or damaged them. Insurance does not cover damage to landscaping. Commissioners approved the use of grant money from the Conservation Trust Fund to help these communities recover from the storm. About 40 percent of proceeds from the Colorado Lottery go to the Conservation Trust Fund, which is then distributed to eligible local governments for land conservation or capital improvements of public sites.

The city of Arvada will receive $20,000 to replace 49 trees at 26 sites. Arvada opened its limb drop-off center immediately after the storm so citizens could bring limbs from damaged trees. The center produced 19,000 cubic yards of mulch as a result.

Apex Park & Recreation District lost 19 trees, several of which were large and had been alive for many years. The county will give Apex about $13,800 to replace several species of trees, including Cottonwood, Russian Olive, Willow, Maple, Blue Spruce and Red Oak.

The city of Wheat Ridge will receive nearly $22,600 to replace 46 trees, many of which were uprooted completely. The city also will use the funding to replace sod, fill holes from removed stumps, and buy mulch for tree rings.