View of Arrastra Gulch. Division of Wildlife. Bill Clark, Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Photo taken: 5/18/2002.
Colorado Watershed Assembly Request for Proposals for the Colorado Healthy Rivers (HRF) Fund Grant Program. This fund grants money to on-the-ground projects that contribute to cleaner water, healthier wildlife habitat, improved recreation and vibrant local economies throughout our state. The HRF program targets two categories of grants, project grants and planning grants. Project grants support projects that promote the improvement and/or protection of the condition of the watershed. The planning category supports development of a successful watershed restoration or protection project. The goal of the program is the implementation of on-the-ground projects to restore and protect the natural resources within Colorado watersheds. Average grant awards range from $5,000 to $20,000. Interested parties can find grant guideline information, the grant submission format and learn more about the Colorado Healthy Rivers Fund Grant Program by visiting the Colorado Watershed Assembly website at http://www.coloradowater.org/hrf/. The deadline to submit applications is April 30th, 2018.
Grant Funding Available to Help Colorado’s Front Range Address Water Shortage. To help address water supply issues while protecting the environment and water-based recreation, the Colorado Water Conservation Board makes funds available through the Water Supply Reserve Fund (WSRF). These funds are available through competitive grants and the application process begins by applying through Basin Roundtables. The deadline to apply for a WSRF grant through the South Platte Roundtable is May 1, 2018. Go to southplattebasin.com to review the WSRF guidelines and submit your application by May 1, 2018. You may also email the South Platte Roundtable with your questions at: info@southplattebasin.com.
The Nature Conservancy is working to promote environmental education through the creation of Nature Works Everywhere gardens. The core principle behind the Gardens program is that gardens model conservation science on a relatable scale. The program empowers students and teachers to work together to create and implement their own solutions to environmental challenges in their communities. Grants of up to $2,000 will be awarded to support projects that implement green infrastructure to address local environmental challenges. These include access to healthy food, air quality, heat island effect, climate change, and storm water collection. Through the program, young people will work as social innovators to help their communities through project design and implementation. Link to Complete RFP.
Colorado's Water Plan Grant Opportunities: The purpose of the Water Plan Grant funding is to make progress on the critical actions identified in the Colorado’s Water Plan (CWP) and its Measurable Objectives. All applications will be assessed based on funds available for a particular CWP Measurable Objective category. The Board will select projects, programs and activities to fund from applications that have the best opportunity to make progress on the CWP’s Measurable Objectives or critical actions. The CWCB staff reserves the right to negotiate with successful applicants to modify the scope and budget of their project to better meet the CWP objectives in light of fund availability. CWCB staff will evaluate applications and recommend projects to the CWCB Board for final approval at its regularly scheduled Board meetings. Learn more HERE.
The National Water Quality Initiative will work in priority watersheds to help farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners improve water quality and aquatic habitats in impaired streams. Natural Resource Conservation Service will help producers implement conservation and management practices through a systems approach to control and trap nutrient and manure runoff. Qualified producers will receive assistance for installing conservation practices such as cover crops, filter strips and terraces. More Details HERE.
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), provided through the Natural Resource Conservation Service, is a voluntary conservation program that helps agricultural producers in a manner that promotes agricultural production and environmental quality as compatible goals. Through EQIP, agricultural producers receive financial and technical assistance to implement structural and management conservation practices that optimize environmental benefits on working agricultural land. EQIP applications are accepted on a continuous basis, however, NRCS establishes application "cut-off" or submission deadline dates for evaluation, ranking and approval of eligible applications. EQIP is open to all eligible agricultural producers and submitted applications may be considered or evaluated in multiple funding pool opportunities. To learn more CLICK HERE.
The Colorado Water Conservation Board Water Supply Reserve Account (WSRA) 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. For more information click HERE.
Colorado Water Conservation Board Water Efficiency Grant Program. The Water Efficiency Grant Program provides financial assistance to communities, water providers, and eligible agencies for water conservation-related activities and projects. Eligible entities, as well as state and local governments and agencies, can receive funding to develop water conservation and drought plans, implement water conservation goals outlined in a water conservation plan and educate the public about water conservation.
Types of Water Efficiency Grants available - Click on programs below for more information about each and how to apply:
- Water Conservation Planning Grants: For water providers seeking to develop or update their water conservation plans.
- Water Conservation Implementation Grants: For water providers implementing water conservation plan goals and programs identified in locally adopted and CWCB-approved water conservation plans.
- Drought Mitigation Planning Grants: For water providers or state and local governmental entities developing drought mitigation and response plans.
- Water Resource Conservation Public Education and Outreach Grants: For agencies seeking to promote the benefits of water resource conservation through public education and outreach.
Tamarisk Coalition has a list of riparian restoration funding opportunities maintained by the Tamarisk Coalition. For list click restoration funding opportunities.