Funding Opportunities Late February
Grant Deadlines:
| 2026 Water Education Grant | The Gunnison River Basin Roundtable is pleased to announce grants of up to $1,500 for water education through its Public Education, Participation, and Outreach (PEPO) Committee. Funds are available to anyone engaged in water education for children up to 18 years old in the Gunnison Basin. | Deadline: February 23, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. |
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| Wetlands for Wildlife Grants | The Colorado Wetlands for Wildlife Program is a voluntary, collaborative, and incentive-based program to restore, enhance, and create wetlands and riparian areas in Colorado. Colorado Parks and Wildlife annually seeks applications for wetland and riparian restoration, enhancement, and creation projects to support the goals of this program. Learn more HERE. | Deadline: February 24th, 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 |
| Eagle River Fund | The Eagle River Fund, managed by the Western Colorado Community Foundation, will be launching its inaugural round of grantmaking in February. The Eagle River Fund provides match funding to help organizations leverage additional support for impactful local projects. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, public entities such as municipalities and special districts, and private organizations working in partnership with an eligible fiscal sponsor. Projects must address one or more of the Fund’s key objectives: * Water Quantity: Efforts to improve water efficiency, conservation, and functional streamflows. * Water Quality: Strategies that reduce erosion, stormwater impacts, or maintain natural temperature regimes. * Natural Infrastructure: Restoration and habitat projects that improve streamside and instream conditions and support ecological resilience. For the 2026 competitive funding round, the expected range for grant funding is from $5,000 to $25,000. Projects should be designed for completion within 12–18 months. Before submitting an application, interested organizations are encouraged to contact Melanie Smith at smith@eagleriverco.org to discuss project ideas and eligibility. Questions about the online application system may be directed to Sarah Fuller, Program Officer at WCCF (sfuller@wc-cf.org), or Talitha Costello, Database and Records Associate (tcostello@wc-cf.org). The deadline to apply is Friday, February 27, 2026, by 5:00 p.m. MST. Learn more HERE. |
Deadline: Friday, February 27, 2026, by 5:00 p.m. MST. |
| Colorado Healthy Rivers Fund | A grant application may be submitted for locally-based watershed protection efforts. Applicants must be committed to a collaborative approach for the restoration and protection of lands and natural resources within Colorado’s watersheds that complement sustainable economic development. Two categories of grants will be available under the Colorado Healthy Rivers Fund program: (1) Project Grants, and (2) Planning Grants. | Deadline: February 28th, 2026 at 5pm MST |
| Metro Roundtable WSRF Proposal Summaries | The Metro Roundtable is seeking proposals for their Water Supply Reserve Fund Basin Grants. The Water Supply Reserve Fund is designed to provide grants to assist in addressing critical water supply issues and interests. The Roundtables play a major role in allocating these state funds for water projects in the South Platte basin and Denver Metro area. | Deadline: March 1st, 2026 at 5pm MST |
| Grand County Open Lands, Rivers, and Trails Fund | The Open Lands, Rivers, and Trails (OLRT) Fund supports fee simple and water rights acquisitions, water quality and river restoration projects, operational costs for approved nonprofits, and certain trail and wildfire mitigation efforts, with no more than 40% of funds (after administrative expenses) used for trail creation/maintenance and wildfire prevention. | Deadline: March 13th, 2026 |
| PFAS Grant program | This Request for Applications (RFA) sets out the policies and procedures for implementation for the Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) Grant Program created through SB 20-218. The purpose of the PFAS Grant Program (Program) is to provide financial assistance to minimize risk to the public from certain hazardous substances (ex: PFAS) in drinking water. The Program provides funding to support efforts in identifying, assessing, and reducing environmental impacts of PFAS on human health and the environment. | Deadline: March 13th, 2026 |
| Yampa River Fund | The Yampa River Fund is excited to announce the availability of $267,022 for grants in 2026. Applications will be accepted from Feb. 17 to April 1. Projects that are prioritized for funding will: Enhance water security for communities, agriculture, the economy and the natural environment in the Yampa Valley.Support a healthy, flowing river and enhance critical low flows through water leases from reservoirs. Maintain or improve river function through a holistic approach to restoration of riparian and/or in-channel habitat. | Deadline: April 1st, 2026 |
Grant Programs:
The Rio Grande Aquatic Navigator Network is a collaborative technical assistance and information network supporting organizations working on aquatic restoration, watershed resilience, and climate adaptation across the Upper Rio Grande watershed. The Network helps partners navigate a rapidly changing funding and policy landscape by providing timely updates, connecting practitioners with funding opportunities and technical support, and offering direct assistance to advance on-the-ground projects. Participants are invited to join the Network’s monthly newsletter and briefing calls to stay informed and connected. Visit https://riograndenavigator.com/ to explore the Network’s centralized funding database, learn more about available resources, and submit a request for free assistance tailored to your project or organization. Please contact emile@bestrategicbynature.com to learn more and sign up for newsletters and briefings.
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.