The Fish and Wildlife Resources Fund Grant Program

The Fish and Wildlife Resources Fund Grant Program is administered by the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), which was granted authority by the State of Colorado to provide financial support for projects aimed at mitigating the impacts of water infrastructure on the state's fish and wildlife resources. The program was established under Colorado Revised Statutes § 37-60-122.2, recognizing that fish and wildlife resources impacted by water diversion, delivery, and storage facilities are of statewide concern and should be reasonably mitigated to balance water resource development with ecological protection. Since its inception in 1987, the program has supported a wide variety of projects aligned with Colorado’s water and wildlife policies. CWCB accepts applications for three categories of grants: Mitigation, Enhancement, and Species Recovery. Mitigation Grants support the reduction of impacts caused by the construction and operation of water infrastructure, based on an official State Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Plan. Enhancement Grants aim to improve habitat conditions near the infrastructure beyond baseline impacts and require coordination and approval from the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission. Species Recovery Grants are intended to support declining native species and federally protected species and are awarded only if no funding is available from the Native Species Conservation Trust Fund. Applicants must coordinate with CWCB staff prior to applying, and grants must be executed within six months of Board authorization. The program allows funding for both “New Projects” and “Existing Projects.” New Projects involve activities that relate to planned water infrastructure and may include design, engineering, or construction components. Existing Projects refer to mitigation for already operational water diversion and delivery systems. In both cases, funding can support activities such as instream flow acquisitions, river restoration, and habitat improvements. The CWCB ensures equitable distribution of funds between east and west slope applicants over time. Matching requirements apply to all grant types. CWCB will fund up to 50% of project costs for all three categories, with additional restrictions depending on the type of grant. For Mitigation Grants, the applicant must cover at least the first 5% of construction costs, and the grant cannot exceed an additional 5%. In-kind contributions are permitted for the match, but cannot exceed half of the required contribution. Funding cannot be used to cover general overhead or administrative expenses not directly related to the project scope. Federal agencies and private landowners are not eligible to apply directly but may participate in projects led by eligible entities. The grant submission process is managed through the CWCB online portal. Required application components include a detailed Statement of Work, a budget, schedule, letters of commitment for matching funds, engineering estimates for projects over $100,000, relevant mitigation or enhancement plans, and any supporting visuals. Evaluation is conducted by CWCB staff and expert committees, based on statutory objectives, project need, design quality, stakeholder participation, and alignment with Colorado’s Water Plan and Basin Implementation Plans. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and remain open year-round. Upon approval, funding is only disbursed for project components initiated after the execution of a grant contract. Grantees must submit biannual progress reports and a final report upon project completion. The final 10% of funding is withheld until satisfactory completion and documentation are submitted. Invoices must reflect actual expenditures. Applications are encouraged from tribal governments, local governments, nonprofits, water districts, and watershed coalitions. Technical assistance and application guidance are available through CWCB staff, including Chris Sturm, the program point of contact.