Public Education, Participation, & Outreach Grant Program

The Public Education, Participation, and Outreach (PEPO) Grant Program is administered by the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), a division of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. Established in 2022, the PEPO program seeks to increase public understanding, engagement, and awareness around water issues that affect the state of Colorado. It supports both basin-level and statewide initiatives aligned with the Colorado Water Plan and Basin Implementation Plans. The program is designed to strengthen water education by providing financial assistance to both basin roundtable education coordinators and broader statewide or multi-basin outreach efforts. The program provides funding in two main categories. The first is for Basin Coordinators, where each of Colorado’s nine river basin roundtables may support one application per year for up to $25,000 to fund a designated PEPO coordinator. This individual is tasked with coordinating education and outreach activities within the basin, working directly with CWCB, and participating in up to three annual roundtable meetings to maintain alignment with current initiatives and funding balances. Basin coordinators are expected to implement outreach efforts that reflect both statewide priorities and the needs of their local basin as articulated in the Colorado Water Plan. The second funding category supports Statewide Initiatives that extend across multiple basins or have a broad state-level impact. These initiatives may include new or ongoing statewide education campaigns, public awareness surveys, or other outreach activities that enhance public knowledge of water issues across Colorado. Proposals in this category must demonstrate alignment with CWCB priorities and garner support from multiple basin roundtables. Projects requesting over $50,000 must be reviewed and approved by the CWCB Board, which convenes in March and September. To apply, eligible entities—including governments, municipalities, districts, enterprises, and individuals—must first register through the CWCB Portal. Submissions must include a completed Statement of Work (Exhibit A) and a Budget & Schedule (Exhibit B) in Word and Excel formats. Applicants must also obtain a letter of support from the relevant basin roundtable chair before submission. All PEPO applications must be submitted online via the CWCB Portal. Additional guidance, including a How-To video and sample templates, is provided on the program website. Application deadlines occur biannually on June 1 and December 1. For the Basin Coordinator fund, only one application per basin is allowed annually. Statewide Initiative applications exceeding the $50,000 threshold should be timed for CWCB Board meetings. Applications may include both time and materials expenses, and projects must be directly related to education and outreach goals outlined in the state’s water planning documents. For questions, applicants can contact Elizabeth Schoder at 303-866-3441 x3210. CWCB encourages early communication to ensure successful alignment with program goals and to address any potential issues before review. PEPO grants are recurring and represent a sustained effort to deepen public understanding and participation in Colorado’s water future.

Only one Basin Coordinator application per year per basin; secure roundtable approval before applying.