Funding Opportunities Early January
Grant Deadlines:
| Fishing Is Fun | The Fishing Is Fun program provides up to $650,000 annually in matching grants to local and county governments, park and recreation departments, angling organizations, water districts and others for projects to improve angling opportunities in Colorado. For over 30 years, the program has supported 375 angling improvement projects across the state. The deadline to apply is January 9th, 2026. Learn more HERE. | Deadline: January 9th, 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| Healthy American Forests Initiative | The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), through an agreement from the Department of Agriculture’s U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is pleased to announce the Healthy American Forests Initiative (HAFI) Request for Proposals (RFP). This funding opportunity will support watershed restoration and vegetation management projects on National Forest System lands to achieve a healthy forest ecosystem. Thriving forests lead to more robust timber production, which plays a vital role in helping local economies, especially in rural areas, generate jobs and revenue. Moreover, recent disasters have shown that effective forest management and wildfire risk reduction efforts can protect lives and safeguard communities across the United States. Applicants should develop proposals that increase forest management activities and reduce wildfire risk to ultimately promote healthy forests, increase timber productivity and protect American prosperity. Full proposal due January 13th, 2026. Learn more HERE. | Deadline: January 13th, 2026 |
| Arkansas River Basin Water Forum Scholarship | The Arkansas River Basin Water Forum offers scholarships each year to undergraduate and graduate students in support of their education and/or research in water resources, watershed studies, hydrology, natural resource management, environmental studies, agriculture, civil engineering, and similar fields of study.Up to $5,000 in scholarships will be distributed between 1, 2, or 3 of the best application submissions judged by our expert panel, plus free registration and lodging to the 2026 Arkansas River Basin Water Forum to be held in Salida, Colorado on April 22 & 23, 2026 (attendance encouraged, but not required). Deadline to apply is January 16, 2026. Learn more HERE. | Deadline: January 16th, 2026 |
| NFF Matching Awards Program | Through the Matching Awards Program (MAP), the NFF is soliciting proposals to provide funds for projects that directly benefit America’s National Forests and Grasslands. MAP pairs federal funds provided through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Forest Service with non-federal dollars raised by award recipients, multiplying the resources available to benefit the National Forest System. MAP: Connecting People to Forests, focuses primarily on in-person community engagement, and completion of appropriate stewardship activities. Program goals are to create lasting change that will allow all communities opportunities to benefit from activities on National Forest System lands or adjacent public lands. Round 1 Application Deadline: January 22, 2026. Learn more HERE. | Deadline: January 22nd, 2026 |
| Call for Applications: Water history research funding from the Colorado State University Water Resources Archive | The Colorado State University Water Resources Archive is now welcoming applications for the Water Scholar Award. This annual award grants funding to researchers whose work on western water would benefit from access to the collection. The award is intended to help offset the expenses of researchers engaged in studies that will benefit from access to the holdings of the Water Resources Archive as well as costs associated with presentations, publications, or other products resulting from that research. For the 2026 award, the total amount of funding is capped at $3,900, to be allocated to a maximum of three applications. Please apply only for the amount needed. Applications are due January 31. Additional information and application details can be found at HERE. | Deadline: January 31st, 2026 |
| Grants available for public water systems to address emerging contaminants in small or disadvantaged communities | The Water Quality Control Division announces that the Request for Applications for the Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant Program is now available. The details of this RFA are available on the division’s website. You can submit questions and inquiries about the RFA at any time using this form until 2 p.m. Mountain Daylight time on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. MDT on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026. The grant can support planning, design, and infrastructure projects aimed at lowering public health risks from emerging contaminants, such as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), manganese and others. |
Deadline: February 4th, 2026 |
| Waterways for Wildlife Initiative | The NWTF is now accepting applications for 2026 proposals through the Waterways for Wildlife Initiative (W4W). Projects eligible for funding include restoration, education/outreach, easement/acquisition, among others aimed at furthering the quantity and quality of riparian habitat in the Great Plains as well as providing educational information as to why these areas are so important. The deadline to submit applications is Friday, February 6th, 2026. All applicants will be notified by April 1st and funds available the same day for award winners. Application materials, general initiative info, past awards, etc. can all be found on our Waterways for Wildlife webpage, HERE. | Deadline: February 6th, 2026 |
| Colorado River District Community Funding Partnership | The Colorado River District Community Funding Partnership is opening a pilot, special funding round for irrigation companies. The grant opportunity will support capital improvement planning and rate studies to inform proactive financial decisions to complete infrastructure projects at an appropriate pace and scale, and ultimately to create local solutions to aging infrastructure risks. Applicants must own and/or operate an irrigation ditch and be able to contract with an engineering firm. Applications are due February 15, 2026. Up to five applicants will be chosen for the pilot grant program. Learn more HERE. | Deadline: February 15th, 2026 |
| 2026 Diane Hoppe Scholarship | The 2026 Diane Hoppe Scholarship opened for applications on December 15. The $2000 award is a one-year scholarship for a Colorado high school student or college freshman passionate about western water issues. | Deadline: February 27th, 2026 |
| The Diversion Measurement Installation Program |
Funding is now available for diversion measurement on the West Slope. Beginning in 2026, funds will be available for the installation of measurement structures, such as flumes and weirs, to benefit water users in the Colorado River Basin of Divisions 4, 5, 6, and 7. Eligible water users will receive a measurement structure, installed at their point of diversion, at no cost to them. The Diversion Measurement Installation Program will be administered by the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), in coordination with the Division of Water Resources (DWR). The Program is facilitated by CWCB’s contractor, SGM, who will coordinate closely with interested water users to ensure a successful process – from application to installation. Learn more HERE. | Deadline: January 31st, 2026 |
Grant Programs:
The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) Water Project Loan Program provides low-interest loans for the design and construction of agricultural and municipal water collection, storage, and delivery facilities, as well as hydroelectric power generation projects in Colorado; however, it does not fund drinking water or wastewater treatment projects. A minimum loan request of $100,000 is recommended. Projects financed by the Water Project Loan Program must align with the goals identified in Colorado’s Water Plan and its measurable objectives.
Community Navigator Program - The Watershed Center and Coalitions and Collaboratives, along with several other national and regional nonprofit organizations, are partnering with the US Forest Service on a community navigator initiative, which supports communities in accessing federal funding opportunities, creating partnerships, and building capacity for wildfire risk mitigation and climate resilience. To get in touch with a navigator, fill out a request form here.
Closing America’s Wastewater Access Gap: EPA is offering free technical assistance for communities with failing decentralized (septic) wastewater systems, or communities with no existing wastewater systems at all. Do septic systems back up into homes or cause sewage to pool in yards? Does the town or county struggle to provide adequate sanitation services to its residents? Does the community struggle to rebuild damaged or non-functioning wastewater and septic systems? If any of these conditions apply, then your community may be eligible for assistance through this initiative. Communities – including homeowners and utilities – and all states, Tribes, and territories can request no-cost technical assistance. Technical assistance can help assess current wastewater infrastructure, recommend options, and support development of funding applications for the community. More information can be found HERE.
IRA Forest Landowner Support - Provides grant opportunities to entities and organizations delivering technical and financial assistance to private forest landowners - including Tribes, underserved landowners, and small-acreage landowners - to participate in emerging private markets for forest resilience and climate mitigation.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants — Rolling application window open — The USDA Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants program supports eligible communities to prepare, or recover from, an emergency that threatens the availability of safe, reliable drinking water. Eligible applicants must show a decline in quantity or quality of water that occurred within two years of the date of the application or that a significant decline in quality or quantity of water is imminent.
FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Assistance grant programs are provided to eligible applicant states/tribes/territories that, in turn, provide sub-grants to local governments. The applicant selects and prioritizes applications developed and submitted to them by local jurisdictions to submit to FEMA for grant funds. Prospective sub-applicants should consult the official designated point of contact for their applicant state/tribe/territory for further information regarding specific program and application requirements.
The Colorado Water Plan Grant Program supports implementation of the Colorado Water Plan.The Partner Actions within the plan offer examples of the types of project level work that CWCB can help support through this grant program. All grant applications will be assessed based on funds available for a particular Water Plan category. Application deadlines are twice per year (July 1 and Dec 1). Colorado Water Plan Grant program multi-benefit funding categories include: Water Storage & Supply; Water Sharing Agreements; Conservation & Land Use Planning; Engagement & Innovation; Agricultural; Watershed Health & Recreation. To learn more or to apply, please contact the CWCB staff person in your basin, listed HERE.
City of Ft. Collins Nature in the City Planning Grants. Have an idea for a nature play area, outdoor gathering space, or pollinator restorations? The Dream it Up Project Planning grants can help you and your community plan out your dream project. Anyone from HOA's, faith-based organizations, affordable housing communities, and even schools are welcome and encouraged to apply. Get started!
Colorado Environmental Justice Grants Program - Community Solutions to Improve Environmental Health. This grant opportunity was created by the Environmental Justice Act to provide funding to communities disproportionately impacted by pollution and climate change. The Environmental Justice Advisory Board oversees the EJ Grants Program and will serve as the selection committee for the grants. You can apply for this grant if you are part of a: non-profit organization, local government, federally-recognized Tribal government, university, other educational institution, for-profit corporation, or grassroots organization.
The Water Supply Reserve Fund (WSRF) Grant Program provides funding to assist Colorado water users in addressing their critical water supply issues and interests through a unique local review process. Requests for funds from the WSRF program must be presented to and recommended by the respective Basin Roundtable prior to submitting a grant application and being considered by the CWCB Board. Deadlines to apply vary based on the respective Basin Roundtable meeting schedule and more information can be found HERE. Eligible projects may include funding for technical assistance regarding permitting, feasibility studies and environmental compliance; studies or analysis of structural, nonstructural, consumptive and nonconsumptive water needs, projects or activities; design of structural projects or activities; infrastructure replacement or maintenance projects.
Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) - Programs include the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), and the Watershed Operations PL-566 Program.
Source Water Assessment and Protection (SWAP) - CDPHE’s SWAP program's main objective is to minimize potential contaminant threats to public drinking water supplies. To engage in this effort, public water systems and governmental entities can apply for a $5,000 protection planning grant through the SWAP program. The SWAP program also supports Wildland Fire Decision Support System work and post-wildfire recovery efforts. SWAP program staff assisted in the development of the Post Fire Playbook to assist local recovery groups in navigating the complexities surrounding post-wildfire recovery. For more information visit the SWAP page.
Water Quality Grants and Loans Unit - CDPHE’s Grants and Loans Unit offers small community grants and water quality improvement fund grants to protect public health and water quality. They also administer the State Revolving Fund (SRF) Loan Program to finance the design and construction of public drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects. More information on eligible drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater projects is available on the water quality grants and loans page.
The Colorado River District’s Community Funding Partnership was created in 2021 to fund multi-purpose water projects on the Western Slope in five project categories: productive agriculture, infrastructure, healthy rivers, watershed health and water quality, and conservation and efficiency. Funding for the program was approved by Western Colorado voters as part of ballot question 7A in November 2020. These funds provide a catalyst for projects that are priorities for residents in the District to receive matching funds from state, federal and private sources. Click HERE for more information and to apply.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced the availability of $7.5 billion ofWater Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) funding. The WIFIA program offers long-term loans to help communities implement critical water infrastructure projects, which protect public health, deliver environmental benefits, create over 60,000 good-paying jobs, protect waterways including drinking water sources, and support local economies, at a lower cost. The WIFIA program has funding available on an ongoing basis. Learn moreHERE.
Colorado Water Conservation Board has compiled this database to serve as a tool for people and organizations across Colorado to navigate all available funding opportunities for water projects in a single place.
A list of state, federal and private funding available for a wide variety of wildfire mitigation projects including Watershed Health.