Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) Water Plan Grant Funding. Extra state stimulus funding in 2021: $20 million available in total for the July 1 & Dec. 1 applications
Water Plan Grant program funding categories include:
Water Storage & Supply
Water Sharing Agreements
Conservation & Land Use Planning
Engagement & Innovation
Agricultural Projects
Environmental & Recreation Projects
The deadline to apply is December 1, 2021. Click HERE for more information and to apply.
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation: WaterSmart program (multiple funding opportunities listed below).
Environmental Water Resources Projects
Environmental Water Resources Projects is a new funding category under WaterSMART. Projects that benefit plant and animal species, fish and wildlife habitat, riparian areas, and ecosystems directly influenced by water resources management are eligible.
Project types can include water conservation and efficiency projects to improve the environment through quantifiable and sustained water savings, mitigation of drought-related impacts, and watershed management or restoration projects with a nexus to water resources or water resources management. Projects under this new category may be eligible for up to 75% federal funding.
Applications are due December 9, 2021.
Water and Energy Efficiency Grants
Water and Energy Efficiency Grants are one of the longest-running parts of the WaterSMART Program. Grants are available for projects that conserve and use water more efficiently, increase renewable energy production, enhance drought resilience, and mitigate risk of future water conflict. Applicants receive additional consideration for delivery system improvements that complement on-farm enhancements supported by the Natural Resources Conservation Service. This program requires a minimum 50% non-federal cost-share.
Applications are due November 3, 2021.
2022 RFA Release
Nonpoint Source is now accepting applications for watershed implementation projects that restore waterbodies impaired by nonpoint sources of selenium, sediment, pathogens and/or nutrients AND/OR protect waterbodies from nonpoint sources of pollution. They are also accepting applications for watershed-based plans for either:
Pre-planning for an EPA Nine Element Watershed-Based Plan;
Developing a new EPA Nine Element Watershed-Based Plan; or
Updating an existing EPA Nine Element Watershed-Based Plan.
Please visit HERE for application and reference materials. The 2022 RFA Announcement is attached here as well. Applications must be submitted to cdphe_wqcd_nonpointsource+managers@state.co.us by December 31st, 2021 by 5pm (MST). Please direct questions regarding the RFA to Estella Moore at cdphe_wqcd_nonpointsource+managers@state.co.us by November 19, 2021 by 5pm (MST). Answers to those questions will be posted on npscolorado.comon November 22, 2021.
Upper Gunnison SPP Funding. Please see the attached solicitation for project proposals from CDPHE's Hazardous Materials and Waste Management Division for the Upper Gunnison River Basin. The deadline for proposal submission is April 1, 2022.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is now accepting applications for Board members responsible for the governance of the Outdoor Equity Grant Program created by bill HB21-1318. The Colorado Outdoor Equity Grant Board Member Application and additional application materials are posted on the CPW website. The purpose of the Outdoor Equity Grant Program is to increase access and opportunity for underserved youth and their families to experience Colorado's open spaces, state parks, public lands, and other outdoor areas. Outdoor recreation costs can include long-distance travel, specialized outdoor recreation gear and activity instruction that adds up and becomes prohibitively expensive for lower-income households. This can be discouraging for some families, making them unable to experience the nature of the state.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is pleased to announce the 2022 Non-Motorized Trails and LWCF Grant Cycles are now open and accepting applications. The grant cycles are currently live now through Oct. 4, 2021. The program is placing an emphasis on maintenance projects for the 2022 cycle to address the increased need to repair and improve existing trails in the state. Applicants may submit two applications for a State Trails grant, one can be in either the Construction or Maintenance category and the other can be in the Planning or Support category.
The Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving (EJCPS) Cooperative Agreement Program provides financial assistance to eligible organizations working on or planning to work on projects to address local environmental and/or public health issues in their communities. The program assists recipients in building collaborative partnerships with other stakeholders (e.g., local businesses and industry, local government, medical service providers, academia, etc.) to develop solutions that will significantly address environmental and/or public health issue(s) at the local level. Click HERE for more information.
The YWG BRT grant program has three designated award periods contingent upon available funding. All grant criteria is designated by the request amount of under or over $10,000. Please review the requirements and goals of the program to determine the appropriate application level for your request. These grants will be awarded in November, February and April depending on available funds. Click HERE for more information.
Colorado Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State Conservationist, Clint Evans announced the 2021 opportunities for enrollment into the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program - Wetlands Reserve Easement Program (ACEP-WRE). To compete for available funding in signup 1, landowners must submit a complete application to their local NRCS field office by 4:00pm, Friday, February 12, 2021 (MST) and by 4:00pm, Friday, April 9, 2021, for funding consideration in Signup 2. ACEP-WRE provides financial and technical assistance to help conserve wetlands and their related benefits. ACEP-WRE easements provide habitat for fish and wildlife, including threatened and endangered species. Additionally, they can have a wide range of other benefits, including filtering sediments and chemicals to improve water quality, reducing impacts of flooding, recharging groundwater, protecting biological diversity, and providing opportunities for educational, scientific and limited recreational activities. Please click HERE for more information.
Thanks to major support from Toyota Motor North America, International Paper (IP), and the Hilton Effect Foundation, the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) is pleased to announce $128,000 in grant funding to support public lands that have been impacted by increased use during the COVID-19 pandemic. With social distancing regulations in place, people are turning to the outdoors more than ever for exercise and rejuvenation. At the same time, the agencies and organizations responsible for maintaining public lands are hampered by reductions in staff, volunteers, and resources, leaving them ill-equipped to keep up with increased human presence in these delicate ecosystems on top of existing maintenance backlogs. In response, NEEF has established the Restoration & Resilience COVID Recovery Fund to help restore these special places by distributing resources and mobilizing volunteers. The deadlines for the next rounds of funding are February 1st, April 1st, and June 1st, 2021. For more information click HERE.
USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) offers financial and technical assistance to farmers and private landowners through the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) to create, restore, and enhance wetlands. Click HERE for more information.
In response to the impacts of COVID-19, Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) has launched the Resilient Communities Program (RCP). The $15 million program aims to fund one-time, immediate needs or opportunities that have emerged in direct response to the pandemic. It will help partners advance outdoor recreation, stewardship, and land protection projects in a manner that best reflects community needs and priorities at this moment in time. Capacity and operations support, stewardship efforts, projects that support community vitality, and urgent and emergent land acquisition opportunities will be considered. For more information, including eligibility criteria and application forms, click HERE.
Colorado River Network offers funding from the Business for Water Stewardship Project Bank. Are you planning, designing, or implementing on-the-ground restoration projects that will restore river flows and/or recharge ground water? Would you like the opportunity to share your projects with businesses who may be interested in providing support for your projects? If the answer is “Yes!” be sure to check out the Business for Water Stewardship Project Bank, a new opportunity for paid members of River Network to use a national platform to attract funding.
US Department of Agriculture Rural Development Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program. This program provides funding for clean and reliable drinking water systems, sanitary sewage disposal, sanitary solid waste disposal, and storm water drainage to households and businesses in eligible rural areas. The program is currently accepting applications. Full details, including requirements and guidance, can be found HERE.
Colorado Emergency Drought Response Program.-The Program provides up to $1 million annually, in the form of loans or grants, for emergency drought-related water augmentation purposes to Colorado’s agricultural water users. For more information click HERE.
Colorado's Water Plan Grants fund progress on the critical actions identified in the Colorado’s Water Plan (CWP) and its Measurable Objectives. See the grant guidelines and apply HERE.
The Colorado Water Conservation Board Water Supply Reserve Fund (WSRF) Program provides grants and loans to assist Colorado water users in addressing their critical water supply issues and interests. The funds help eligible entities complete water activities, which may include competitive grants for: Technical assistance regarding permitting, feasibility studies and environmental compliance; Studies or analysis of structural, nonstructural consumptive and nonconsumptive water needs, projects or activities; and structural and nonstructural water projects or activities. Basin Account application timelines vary by basin. Statewide Account applications are brought before the board in March and September. For more information click HERE.
The Colorado Water Conservation Board offers numerous loans and grants to water providers and other entities statewide for a variety of water-related projects, studies, planning documents, awareness campaigns and other activities. Click HERE to find out more about the CWCB’s funding programs.
The Environmental Protection Agency Water Finance Clearinghouse has access to hundreds of water funding opportunities that can be found HERE.