Funding Opportunities

The Colorado Basin Roundtable plays a major role in allocating state funds for water projects within the basin. Applications to the Water Supply Reserve Fund (see details below) are reviewed by the Roundtable for approval before a final decision is made by the Colorado Water Conservation Board. For other grants, a letter of support from the Roundtable can strengthen the applicant’s case that their project should be funded. Grant applicants seeking the Roundtable’s support can find guidance and review the Roundtable’s scoring criteria here.

What is the Water Supply Reserve Fund (WSRF) Program?

The 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.

Requests for funds from WSRF must be approved by at least one of Colorado’s nine basin roundtables. The request is then forwarded to the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) to evaluate and make final funding decisions.

Visit the CWCB website for more information about the Water Supply Reserve Fund Program.

What is the Colorado Watershed Restoration Grant Program?

The Program provides grants for watershed/stream restoration and flood mitigation projects throughout the state.

How can the money be used?

Grant money may be used for planning and engineering studies, including implementation measures, to address technical needs for watershed restoration and flood mitigation projects throughout the state. Special consideration is reserved for planning and project efforts that integrate multi-objectives in restoration and flood mitigation. This may include projects and studies designed to:

• Restore stream channels
• Provide habitat for aquatic and terrestrial species
• Restore riparian areas
• Reduce erosion
• Reduce flood hazards, or ­
• Increase the capacity to utilize water.

Visit the CWCB website for more information about Colorado Watershed Restoration Grants.

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.

Visit the CWCB website for more information about Colorado Water Plan Grants.

What is the Colorado Healthy Rivers Fund Grant Program?

Established jointly by the Colorado Water Conservation Board and the Water Quality Control Commission, in cooperation with the Colorado Watershed Assembly, the Program helps support local watershed organizations in their efforts to provide clean water, protect habitat, and improve recreation and accessibility.

The Program was financed by the Colorado Individual Income Tax Refund Check-off Program, which gives taxpayers the opportunity to contribute a portion of their tax return or to make a donation to the Colorado Healthy Rivers Fund. It was not included as an option on the latest state income tax form, so we will not be accepting applications. However we intend to continue the program as we are able to fund it. For additional information, visit the Colorado Watershed Assembly’s Healthy Rivers Fund page.

Visit the CWCB website for more information about the Colorado Healthy Rivers Fund Program.