Funding Opportunities Early September

Grant Deadlines:

The South Platte Basin and Metro Roundtables are 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. Proposals are due September 5th, 2025. Learn more and apply HERE. 

The Grand County Open Lands, River, and Trails Fall 2025 grant cycle opens August 4th with applications due September 6. Make sure to check out the Grant Application Process Document on our website to see a list of eligible projects. Contact Anna Drexler-Dreis (Administrator): aldrexler@gmail.com or (970) 531-1171 with any questions. Learn more HERE. 

FY 2026 Brownfields Job Training Grants - This notice announced the availability of funds and solicited applications from eligible entities, including nonprofit organizations, to deliver Brownfields Job Training programs that recruit, train and place local, unemployed and under-employed residents with the skills needed to secure full-time employment in the environmental field. This includes areas such as sustainable remediation, chemical safety and site preparation for the revitalization of brownfields. Applications close September 26th, 2025. Learn more HERE and apply HERE. 

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is pleased to announce the 2025 Colorado Wildlife Habitat Program (CWHP) application period is now open through Oct. 9, 2025. The CWHP is a statewide program that offers funding opportunities to landowners who wish to protect wildlife habitat or provide wildlife-related recreational public access on their property. The CWHP is an incentive-based program that funds conservation easements, public access easements, and fee title purchases to accomplish strategic wildlife conservation and public access goals.  Learn more HERE. 

The Midsize and Large Drinking Water System Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainability grant program is authorized by Congress through the Safe Drinking Water Act. EPA is seeking grant applications from public water systems serving 10,000 people or more. This grant program assists medium and large size public water systems with protecting drinking water sources from natural hazards, extreme weather events, and cybersecurity threats. The application period is open until October 6, 2025, and can be found on www.grants.gov, under opportunity number EPA-OW-OGWDW-25-01, assistance listing number 66.488. Learn more HERE. 

The CWCB is accepting applications for the Technical Assistance for Federal Cost-Sharing Program (TAFC). This program provides direct grants to water users to hire consultants or otherwise secure the resources necessary to develop high-quality, competitive applications for federal funding. Project tasks supported by TAFC include preliminary project planning and design, preliminary permitting, development of estimated project costs, navigation of available federal opportunities, grant writing, and federal grant application submittal. All TAFC grant applications must include the preparation and submission of at least one federal grant application as a discrete task within the requested scope and budget. Interested applicants should contact Michael Regan (michael.regan@state.co.us) to schedule a brief pre-application meeting. Learn more HERE. 

The Center for Collaborative Conservation (CCC) at Colorado State University (CSU) is seeking applicants for our Fellows Program, Cohort 16. The Fellows Program is designed to build the capacity of Fellows as collaborative conservation leaders. We do this by (1) providing monetary awards to support experiential learning through implementation of on-the-ground projects; (2) creating a learning community with current and past Fellows, and by (3) providing training and mentoring. Training topics include exploring the foundations of collaborative conservation, strategies and considerations for engaging stakeholders, facilitating decision-making processes, integrating different knowledge systems, and participatory methods. Applications close October 10th, 2025. Learn more HERE.

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.

Job Announcements Early September

Resource Central is seeking a Senior Water Programs Manager. The Senior Water Program Manager leads the continued growth and evolution of Garden In A Box, ensuring it remains not just effective, but deeply valued by the communities it serves. This role is responsible for setting strategic direction, managing a talented team, and ensuring the program delivers measurable impact while fostering a sense of pride and ownership among participants. It also oversees related initiatives such as Waterwise Yard Seminars and applied water conservation research, working across departments to align goals, strengthen visibility, and build partnerships. Learn more and apply HERE. 

The Division of Water Resources has two open Professional Engineer positions in the Glenwood Springs office. This position is at the PE IV, Division Engineer level.  This position exists to perform such functions and duties as specified by state statute and to carry out duties and orders of the State Engineer within the geographical area of Water Division Five.  The position must guide and direct allocation and regulation of water supplies; oversee dam safety; oversee hydrographic measurements and publications to identify and quantify water supplies; oversee well use; enforce compliance with decrees, statutes, permits, rules and regulations, and interstate compacts; compile and make available official records of water use and official lists of water rights; and resolve disputes concerning water rights and use. Learn more and apply HERE. 

Department of Natural Resources is hiring a TEMPORARY Water Resources Section Admin - Adams County, CO. This position is responsible for aiding CPW’s Water Resources Team with daily workload and special projects, especially as it relates to water project development, water quality, instream flow protection, and water rights administration. This is an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience in water resources, data analysis, and environmental fieldwork. This position will primarily work in the office and will include a significant amount of administrative duties. However, on occasion this position will conduct field work. Learn more and apply HERE. 

The Division of Water Resources has two open Professional Engineer positions in the Glenwood Springs office. This position is at the PE III, Deputy Division Engineer level. This position exists to assist the Division Engineer in carrying out the statutory duties required of the Division of Water Resources and any written instruction of the State Engineer within the geographic area of Water Division Five: act as Division Engineer in his/her absence; assure integrity of the Prior Appropriations Doctrine while maximizing beneficial use of water; coordinate the regulation of water within the Division; consult with the Water Court; resolve disputes that exceed the abilities of Water Commissioners; supervise field and office personnel; assist the public through the Water Court process and well permit application process and in the understanding of water law, hydrology and water supply, and other water-related issues; prepare expert witness reports; consult with the Water Court regarding Water Court applications; respond to water user complaints and write reports summarizing the agency’s position; and negotiate or provide expert engineering support / testimony to litigate any conditions necessary to protect existing water rights. Learn more and apply HERE. 

The Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed is seeking to hire a Forestry Project Coordinator. The Forestry Project Coordinator (Coordinator) will help to implement the Red Feather Lakes Area Wildfire Defense Project (Project). CPRW and Larimer County Office of Emergency Management received a US Forest Service Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG) in 2024. This position is fully funded by CWDG. The grant helps to fund priorities outlined in the Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs) written and adopted by the following communities: Cherokee Meadows, Crystal Lakes, Glacier View and Poudre Canyon. Applications due by close of business on September 15, 2025. Learn more and apply HERE. 

Mountain Studies Institute is hiring a Collaborative Coordination and Facilitation for the San Juan Headwaters Forest Health Partnership. This is a contract position with MSI to support collaborative landscape outcomes through analysis, planning, implementation, and outreach, resulting in consistent goals/objectives/priorities, implementation practices, and public messaging for the San Juan Headwaters Forest Health Partnership (Headwaters) and the Pagosa Ranger District of the San Juan National Forest. Learn more and apply HERE.

Conferences & Events Early September

September 6th, 2025 | Blue River Festival - Spend the weekend showing your appreciation for the water in our lakes and rivers by participating in the Blue River clean-up and fun events of the annual BRWG River Clean-Up Festival. Learn more HERE. 

September 6th, 2025 | American Southwest Showing -  Roaring Fork Conservancy is partnering with American Rivers on a showing of this stunning feature-length film at Aspen’s Isis Theater this Saturday, September 6 at 7:00pm. Buy tickets HERE. 

September 6th & 7th, 2025 | North Sand Hills Creek Restoration 1 Volunteer Opportunity - North Sand Creek is one of only three dune systems in Colorado! Join us in building beaver mimicry structures to improve this special habitat. Learn more and sign up HERE. 

September 9th, 2025 | American Southwest Showing -  Join Friends of the Yampa for an unforgettable evening featuring a screening of The American Southwest, a stunning new documentary from award-winning filmmaker Ben Masters. Narrated by Quannah Chasinghorse, this family-friendly film follows a wild journey down the mighty Colorado River, exploring its abundant wildlife, deep cultural history, and urgent conservation needs. Buy tickets HERE. 

September 10th, 2025 | Water Education Colorado’s President Reception - Join us for an evening of celebration, community building and recognition as we honor water leadership and raise impactful funds to support WEco's mission at one of the best water events of the year. Learn more and purchase tickets HERE. 

September 10th, 2025 | Douglas County Conservation District Annual Meeting & Dinner - Every year the Douglas County Conservation District selects a Conservationists of the Year from Douglas County for their excellence in the conservation space. Over the years we have met so many dedicated stewards of our environment right here in Douglas County. These award winners are members of our community; land owners big and small, municipalities, and businesses. Learn more HERE. 

September 11th, 2025 | Cherry Creek Watershed Conference - Join us for the 2025 Cherry Creek Watershed Conference on September 11th at the Pace Center in Parker. This year's theme, Building Community, is all about strengthening collaboration and connection. We will dive into how planning, process, place, and people support the conservation of our watershed. Learn more and register HERE. 

September 12th, 2025 | Volunteer Cone Collection - Join the Coalition for the Poudre River Watershed (CPRW) and Tellus to collect ponderosa pine cones so we have enough local seed to plant trees in areas impacted by wildfires. Learn more HERE. 

September 13th, 2025 | Gill Trail at Cheesman Canyon Trail Stewardship Day with RMFI - Join RMFI at Cheesman Canyon for a trail stewardship Day as we care for the Gill Trail. Performing trail maintenance and restoration to ensure safe and improved fishing access, and restoring critical habitat. Learn more HERE. 

September 13th, 2025 | Grand Valley River Clean-up - Join RiversEdge West, The Gear Junction, and Grand Valley Paddling Club for a full day of river stewardship! Volunteers will meet at various access points along the Colorado River (bring your own boat, raft, or paddleboard—or coordinate with someone who has one), collect trash from the water and shore, and finish the day with an appreciation BBQ. Safety gear, trash bags, buckets, and disposal dumpsters are provided—just bring gloves, closed-toe shoes, sun protection, a reusable water bottle, and snacks. Learn more HERE. 

September 16th, 2025 | Willow Restoration Volunteer Day for KVRC - Get ready to roll up your sleeves and make an impact on the restoration of Rocky Mountain National Park’s beautiful ecosystems! The Kawuneeche Valley Restoration Collaborative and the RMNP Vegetation Program have worked for many years to plant riparian shrub saplings into areas of the Kawuneeche Valley that have been impacted by altered hydrology, browsing pressure from ungulates, and wildfire. Learn more and register HERE. 

September 17th, 2025 | Water in the West - High Country Conservation Center is wrapping up the Water in the West speaker series with one final event! Hear about the "State of the Colorado River" w/Alex Hager, Reporter with KUNC. Each month this summer, local organizations have explored critical water issues impacting our region. Don't miss out on the final one; join the conversation and become part of the solution through these free, inspirational, and educational events. Register HERE. 

September 17th & 18th, 2025 | Colorado Forest Collaborative Summit - The purpose of the Forest Collaboratives Summit is to connect place-based forest collaboratives from across the state and facilitate learning about issues most relevant to collaboratives. Learn more and register HERE. 

September 18th, 2025 | Fall in Love with the Big Thompson – Fall in Love with the Big Thompson is an evening of celebration hosted by the Big Thompson Watershed Coalition at the scenic Sylvan Dale Ranch in Loveland, CO. Set along the banks of the Big Thompson River, the event celebrates 10 years of the Coalition’s conservation efforts and features live music, locally inspired food and drink, a river appreciation ceremony, and stories from a decade of impact. Join us for a night of connection, reflection, and support for a healthier, more resilient watershed. Learn more HERE.

September 18th, 2025 | Cheers for Conservation - Cheers for Conservation is Colorado Open Lands' signature event celebrating the people that make conservation happen in Colorado. This event is an opportunity for us all to share our enthusiasm for protecting Colorado's land and water! Buy tickets HERE. 

September 18th, 2025 | Colorado WaterWise 2025 Annual Water Conservation Symposium - The Water Conservation Symposium is Colorado WaterWise’s flagship event, bringing together nearly 200 water professionals throughout the state for a day immersed in water conservation, sustainability, and innovation. Hear from water experts representing all sectors while we explore the latest water efficiency initiatives through policy, incentives, strategy, and community engagement. This day-long event is an opportunity for attendees to share ideas and network while enjoying presentations that explore case studies on how we may collaboratively best manage our water resources now and well into the future. Register HERE. 

September 20th, 2025 | 2025 North Fork Poudre Healthy Watershed Tour & Open House - Join the North Fork Poudre Site Conservation Team (SCT) for a watershed tour and open house! Tour several private ranches in the Livermore area to learn about restoration projects that are improving riparian health and wildlife habitat while making our watershed more resilient. Learn more or register HERE. 

September 20th & 21st, 2025 | North Sand Hills Creek Restoration 2 Volunteer opportunity - North Sand Creek is one of only three dune systems in Colorado! Join us in building beaver mimicry structures to improve this special habitat. Learn more and register HERE. 

September 22nd, 2025 | Willow Restoration Volunteer Day for KVRC - Get ready to roll up your sleeves and make an impact on the restoration of Rocky Mountain National Park’s beautiful ecosystems! The Kawuneeche Valley Restoration Collaborative and the RMNP Vegetation Program have worked for many years to plant riparian shrub saplings into areas of the Kawuneeche Valley that have been impacted by altered hydrology, browsing pressure from ungulates, and wildfire. Learn more and register HERE.

September 23rd, 2025 | Water Leadership Summit: Pathways to Civic Engagement & Action - The Water Leadership Summit, hosted by the Colorado Water Center and made possible through the generous support of the Walton Family Foundation, is a one-day event that equips community members with the knowledge, skills, and resources to engage in water decision-making and take action on issues that shape Colorado’s water future. Learn more and register HERE. 

September 23rd, 2025 | 2028 303(d) Listing Methodology stakeholder meeting - On Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, from 2 to 3:30 p.m., the division is hosting a stakeholder meeting to consider revisions to the 2028 303(d) Listing Methodology in advance of the Water Quality Control Commission administrative action hearing scheduled for March 9, 2026. This cycle, the division's proposal will be limited to schedule updates and accessibility improvements. Register to attend HERE. 

September 25th, 2025 | Moving Mountains - Join Mountain Science Institute for an inspiring evening dedicated to environmental stewardship and community impact. 

September 30th, 2025 | RiverBank - Join Colorado Water Trust at the Denver Botanic Gardens for our biggest bash of the year! Expect tasty bites, craft drinks, and a little friendly auction competition (you know you want to win). We’ll also present the David Getches Flowing Waters Award—a special moment you won’t want to miss. All to celebrate our amazing partners and help keep Colorado’s rivers flowing. Learn more HERE. 

September 30th - October 4th, 2025 | The 11th World Conference on Ecological Restoration (SER2025) will be held in person on 30 September – 4 October 2025 in Denver, Colorado, United States. SER’s World Conference is an exciting and inspiring biennial gathering of global experts in restoration, making SER2025 the premier venue for those interested in being active members of the global restoration community. Call for abstracts closes January 30th.  Learn more HERE. 

October 3rd, 2025 | Colorado River District Annual Water Seminar - This year’s seminar on October 3rd will explore the spaces where perspectives don’t always align in the world of western water, and how we still have to find our way forward together. Sometimes, these perspectives are split between upstream and downstream, sometimes between the data and the real-world experience, between science and policy, and between East Slope and West. As we face mounting challenges across the Colorado River Basin, this year’s event will bring together diverse voices to confront those divides, question assumptions, and work toward shared understanding with a focus on what it all means for water users on the Western Slope. Learn more and register HERE. 

October 7th - 9th, 2025 | Sustaining Colorado Watersheds Conference - This year’s theme, Community & Hope, honors the powerful network of people and partnerships that have grown over the past 20 years—and invites us to reflect on where we’ve been, while envisioning a future of thriving watersheds and resilient communities. Learn more or register HERE.  

October 11th, 2025 | Big Snow Bash - The Big Snow Bash is Friends of the Yampa’s largest annual fundraiser with live music, a stellar online auction, and commentary from our river-loving community and special guests. Learn more HERE. 

October 14th, 2025 | Virtual Public Administrative Action Hearing - The Water Quality Control Commission is holding a virtual public Administrative Action Hearing with an in-person presentation to consider approval of the Water Quality Control Division’s proposed FY 2026 Intended Use Plans (IUP) for the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund (WPCRF) and the Drinking Water Revolving Fund (DWRF). Register to attend HERE. 

October 14th & 15th, 2025 | 2025 Rocky Mountain Groundwater Conference -The objective of this American Ground Water Trust Conference is to discuss groundwater issues specific to Rocky Mountain States (Colorado, Montana, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming), and to facilitate information sharing among landowners, groundwater end-users, regulators, management agencies, scientists, engineers, lawyers and citizens who have economic or environmental interests in water resources. Learn more HERE. 

October 28th & 29th, 2025 | C9 Summit - Save the Date. Registration will open soon. More details, including an agenda, will be available HERE. 

November 10th - 12th, 2025 | AWRA 2025 Annual Water Resources Conference - The AWRA Annual Water Resources Conference is recognized as one of the most diverse and inclusive gatherings in the field of water resources management. This premier event offers a unique opportunity to explore innovative, practical, and applied solutions to today’s water challenges.

December 2nd, 2025 | Colorado Ag Water Summit - CAWA is hosting this event with the Colorado Water Center to focus on research related to irrigated agriculture and how we can make that research impactful at a time when we need it most. This event is for agricultural producers, water resource professionals, faculty and staff at universities, and especially students. Learn more HERE. 

Trainings & Workshops Early September

September 9th, 2025 | Fluvial Futures Webinar Series: City of Greeley River Management Initiative- 10am - 11am - Greeley is undertaking a planning effort to revitalize & protect the Poudre River Corridor. We will discuss how the FHZ informs that effort and how the city may choose to administer the FHZ in the future. Register HERE.

September 17th, 2025 | Living in a Watershed: Workshop and Field Training - Macroinvertebrate Sampling - Join Evergreen Audubon and Evergreen Metro District for an exciting new program series! Bear Creek is a vital water source for our mountain community and its watershed stretches from Summit Lake on Mount Blue Sky all the way down to Bear Creek Lake and beyond, eventually joining the S. Platte on the south side of Denver. This program series – including three informational sessions and three hands-on field days –  will give participants hands-on experience caring for our watershed. Learn more HERE. 

September 17th, 2025 | Headwaters of the Colorado Initiative (HoC) Stakeholder Engagement Tour - We will meet at Steamboat Lake State Park Headquarters at 9:00 AM to kick off the day with a brief presentation highlighting the day’s itinerary and showcasing additional HoC work across the geography that we won’t be able to visit in person. Following the presentation, we’ll tour a variety of restoration project sites in North Routt County that could include active logging and clearing operations, various types of forest treatments, reforestation efforts, and other instream projects like culvert and irrigation work. Lunch will be provided, and the day will conclude around 4:00 PM in Baggs, Wyoming. If time allows, participants will have the chance to see completed river restoration work on the Little Snake River and enjoy drinks and dinner at the Cowboy Inn for networking. Please RSVP HERE no later than September 10th to help us plan accordingly.

September 23rd - 25th, 2025 | Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper Training - The City of Aspen is pleased to offer the next QWEL course September 23-25, 2025 in Aspen, Colorado. This class is designed for local landscape professionals, resort and grounds staff, water utility staff, and other municipal staff involved in water or irrigation management working in the Roaring Fork Valley. With a limited number of seats, payment must be received no later than 5pm on Thursday September 18, or your seat cannot be guaranteed. Learn more and register HERE. 

September 23rd, 2025 | Reviewing New Brownfield Funding - Join brownfield experts Kate Lucas, Statewide Coordinator for KSU TAB and Kathleen Knox, Environmental Protection Specialist for CDPHE as we discuss the recently released guidelines for the October 2026 EPA Brownfields Grant application window. We’ll discuss fund definitions and applicable uses of funds, qualified applicants, and application strategies for communities and organizations. Learn more HERE. 

September 24th, 2025 | USGS STREAM Workshop - The US Geological Survey Colorado Water Science Center will host the 2025 'STREAM' Workshop: Science, Technology, Research, and Evaluations for Actionable Management on September 24, 2025, for cooperators/members of the water community. Learn more HERE. 

October 2nd & 3rd, 2025 | Riparian Restoration on Private Lands - Grand Junction, CO - Learn how partnerships with private landowners are transforming riparian restoration efforts. Save the Date!

October 10th - 13th, 2025 | River Watch Training - River Watch is looking to add water quality monitoring volunteer groups in the Grand Junction area! Register here to attend the training they're hosting October 10-13 in Cedaredge to become certified in water quality sampling, learn about water resource management, and leave with the knowledge and equipment to begin sampling in your local watershed. Reach out to bradley@coloradowatershed.org if you have any questions.

October 14th, 2025 | Fluvial Futures Webinar Series: The Fluvial Opportunity Zone (FOZ) - 10am - 11am - Explore how FHZ mapping can be used for conservation planning, capitol improvement and land use planning, stream and floodplain restoration, and more! Register HERE.

October 15th, 2025 | Living in a Watershed: Workshop and Field Training - Macroinvertebrate Sampling - Join Evergreen Audubon and Evergreen Metro District for an exciting new program series! Bear Creek is a vital water source for our mountain community and its watershed stretches from Summit Lake on Mount Blue Sky all the way down to Bear Creek Lake and beyond, eventually joining the S. Platte on the south side of Denver. This program series – including three informational sessions and three hands-on field days –  will give participants hands-on experience caring for our watershed. Learn more HERE. 

October 21st, 2025 | Colorado Project WET Facilitator Training - Are you an educator, outreach professional, or water enthusiast looking to make a bigger impact? Join an upcoming Colorado Project WET Facilitator Training and become part of a statewide network of leaders teaching others about our most vital resource — water. All facilitator trainings are FREE. 

October 27th & 28th | CSI-MS4 Training - Designed for Municipal personnel (MS4), this course will focus on permit regulations and compliance to restore and maintain the waters of the United States.  Permits require certifying officials to select qualified stormwater personnel. Gain an in-depth understanding of stormwater permits, the six minimum control measures, how to conduct inspections, and the authority, demeanor, and discretion of stormwater inspectors to enhance your credentials.  Learn more or register HERE.

River Network has launched their Mastering the Grant Lifecycle: From Prospect to Execution learning series. Grants are the backbone of funding for so many nonprofit organizations, but managing them can often feel stressful, reactive, and disorganized. We’ve heard the challenges from across the network, and many of them can be solved with improved processes and more seamless collaboration. If you’ve ever hit a snag in your grant management process and thought there has to be a better way – this series is for you! Watch the episodes HERE. 

Join RiversEdge West for their 2025 Workshop Series, where experts, practitioners, and community members come together to explore innovative approaches to riparian restoration. Each workshop offers a unique focus on the tools, technology, and partnerships driving successful restoration efforts across the Southwest.

The Professional Water Studies Certificate is made up of three courses – Colorado Water and the American West, Water Law, and U.S. Water Concerns. Take just one that you’re interested in or all three to earn the certificate. Each course is four weeks long, online, and self-paced – allowing continuing education to fit within your busy schedule. Learn more or register HERE. 

The Community Wildfire Mitigation Best Practices training is designed to increase the skills of the professional mitigation practitioner and individuals who run mitigation programs. Participation in the 9-week virtual course is not guaranteed as we endeavor to provide training to individuals who lead or have responsibility for community wildfire mitigation programs. Acceptance is on a per person basis and is not transferable to another person. If there are multiple people from an organization signing up please ensure they sign up individually. Please complete this form if you are interested in being considered for the CWMBP training. Application forms are accepted on a rolling basis and added to a review list. As we schedule new classes, we will email next-steps to everyone listed. For questions about upcoming class or for assistance with this form email wendie.warner@co-co.org. Fill out the interest form HERE. 

EPA Office of Water's Understanding Climate Change Impact on Water Resources Module  — The EPA Office of Water has recently updated and relaunched their Understanding Climate Change Impact on Water Resources Module. This module explains the causes of climate change, its potential impacts on water resources, and the challenges water resource managers face. It was produced by EPA’s Watershed Academy, which publishes educational webinars and publications about watershed management. The updated module reflects the findings of the Fifth National Climate Assessment (2023) and Office of Water's Climate Adaptation Implementation Plan (2022). Regional information on climate change impacts in the United States is also provided in the course. To learn more, click HERE.

EPA's Office of Research and Development and Office of Water host this free webinar series to communicate current research, regulatory information, and solutions for challenges facing small drinking water systems. See the upcoming schedule or past recordings HERE.

Webinar Recording: Overview of Prescribed Fire Liability in State Law. Lawyer Sara Clark provides an overview of prescribed fire liability in state law, including definitions of liability and how state laws defining liability interact with certified burn manager programs, tribal sovereignty and cultural burning, and prescribed fire insurance. This webinar is intended for those who are new to the issue of prescribed fire liability or those more experienced who would like an overview of the subject, especially anyone about to engage on similar policy initiatives in their state or jurisdiction.

Online Course: Leave No Trace 101 Course. This is an introduction to Leave No Trace and the actions we can collectively take to protect our planet. In this course we share helpful information with a simple framework of minimum impact practices to apply when spending time outdoors.

Watershed Academy’s new Hazard Mitigation Planning and Water Resource Management Module Ready - The EPA Watershed Academy has released their new Hazard Mitigation Planning and Water Resource Management Module. This module is intended for water quality and hazard mitigation professionals that are interested in integrating water quality issues and/or nature-based solutions into state or local Hazard Mitigation Plans (HMPs) and highlights the benefits of working across water quality and hazard mitigation programs. Modules in this series can be used as training tools to help planners from both worlds explore activities of mutual interest and benefit. Case studies and examples are provided to assist hazard mitigation planners with integrating water resource programs into HMPs and help watershed planners understand the synergies between water resource plans and HMPs. Visit this link to begin the course!

The Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership presents 14 videos to help community members learn about how water is managed, restored and monitored in the upper Uncompahgre River watershed. Take advantage of this education resource to learn about your watershed including mine reclamation, water monitoring, recreational use, water conservation, drinking water and wastewater treatment and distribution, aquatic life, water scarcity, agricultural use, management, infrastructure, and more. Watch the video series HERE.

The American Stormwater Institute, LLC now offers live and online courses that deal with developing the knowledge and skills required to conduct stormwater inspections. Our courses are based on a “Real World” attitude of finding implementable solutions to the challenges that stormwater inspectors face every day. The state and federal regulations require that “QUALIFIED PERSONS” conduct inspections related to stormwater permits. The overarching goal of the ASI classes is to ensure that our students are well qualified to conduct these inspections. For a list of all classes offered click HERE.

Non-standard MS4 Permit PDD Template and Program Strategy Templates. SPLASH members and SEMSWA worked with CP Compliance to create resources to educate permittees. It may also assist permittees with the implementation of the new Non-standard MS4 Permit. Please click HERE to access the material.

Introducing the brand new NRCareers.org: Your ultimate resource for career development in the environmental sector. You may have been familiar with the PDF "A How-To Guide for Pursuing a Career in Natural Resources." This website contains all the same great information from the original PDF, but now you can search the content directly and enjoy quicker updates without needing to download a lengthy guide! The newly redesigned website, developed by CAEE and the Colorado Youth Corps Association, include career possibilities, who hires, how to apply, and career prep.

The Clean Water Certificate (CWC) Training Program is the first in the nation ANAB-accredited green infrastructure and stormwater training program. The CWC Training Program is now being offered through the CWPA Membership Program. The purpose of the training program is to provide high-quality training opportunities that provides job growth in the stormwater industry and delivers industry-specific job-readiness skills for the under- or unemployed , or currently employed adults seeking to expand their skillset. Learn more HERE.

Announcements Early August

In partnership with CWT, the graduate students from CU Boulder’s Masters of the Environment (MENV) program are conducting a statewide survey to better understand how urban streams are used, valued, managed, and restored.  You may have read about their project on our blog here, here, or here. The survey is part of the students’ year-long capstone project, developed in partnership with Colorado Water Trust, to better understand the needs of Colorado’s urban communities (whether those are big cities or small towns) when it comes to their local streams—and to identify opportunities for streamflow restoration that support both people and ecosystems. Learn more about the Urban Flows Survey and complete it HERE. 

The Water Quality Control Division would like your feedback on potential edits to Reg. 84, and to assess interest and considerations regarding a new proposal to incorporate 'snowmaking' into the reuse framework. Please use this form to submit your initial feedback by Friday, Sept. 5. The division will not respond to comments individually, but we will use them to inform the process. We appreciate your input and look forward to reviewing your response.

The Boulder Watershed Collective (a local non-profit) and CU Masters of the Environment students are partnering to better understand management strategies and perceptions of beavers along the Front Range. Your input will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of these dynamics, which will help inform the development of local beaver management plans. If you or someone you know manages beaver on public or private lands along the Front Range of Colorado, please consider taking this survey. Take the survey HERE. 

Audubon has compiled a 2025 Volunteer Opportunities in Stream & Wet Meadow Restoration in Colorado list. See all the opportunities HERE.