Wetlands for Wildlife Grants

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), a division of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, has released its 2024–2025 Request for Applications (RFA) under the Wetlands for Wildlife Program. This competitive grant program supports projects aimed at wetland and riparian restoration, enhancement, and creation throughout the state. The program is primarily funded through Great Outdoors Colorado and state-issued waterfowl stamps, with up to approximately $1.121 million in available funding. CPW's objectives are to increase the abundance and distribution of ducks and improve waterfowl hunting opportunities on public lands, as well as to improve the conservation status of declining or at-risk species listed in the State Wildlife Action Plan. The program encourages projects that improve fall and winter habitat for waterfowl, especially in areas accessible to public hunting or in key breeding areas like North Park and the San Luis Valley. It also prioritizes projects that address habitat needs for Tier 1 and Tier 2 priority species. Applicants are expected to integrate conservation tools and mapping resources provided by CPW and its partners. Comprehensive and large-scale projects, particularly those with multiple partners and covering significant acreage, are favored. Block grant applications encompassing several properties are acceptable, provided each individual project is detailed in the initial application. Grants are available to a range of entities, including local, state, and federal agencies, tribes, nonprofits, and private companies. CPW staff and other DNR personnel may also apply. Private landowners are not eligible to apply directly but are encouraged to work through qualified organizations. Projects must be completed by June 30, 2028, and expenditures must begin within 12 months of approval or the grant will be cancelled. Indirect costs are allowed but discouraged, and should not exceed 10% of the grant request. While matching funds are not required, they are encouraged and scored favorably during application evaluation. Applications are due by Monday, February 10, 2025. Following the deadline, projects will be reviewed by multiple committees, scored based on defined criteria, and ranked regionally and statewide. Funding recommendations are made to the CPW Director, who gives final approval by late April 2025. Agreements with external grantees are expected to be finalized by June 2025. Projects must be managed by a designated Project Manager from the applicant organization and sponsored by a local CPW field staff member. All awarded projects require quarterly reporting and a final report upon completion. Applicants must contact the Wetlands Program Coordinator before applying and submit both PDF and Word versions of their application in a single file. All supporting materials including maps, photos, and landowner letters should be included in that file. Applications by CPW staff must also be entered into the internal “A4” system. Applications will be evaluated on factors such as benefit to waterfowl and priority species, linkage to conservation plans, project scale, viability, and long-term sustainability. Bonus points may be awarded if the project falls within a conservation priority area or is supported by a Wetland Focus Area Committee. For more information or to begin the application process, applicants should contact Brian Sullivan, Wetlands Program Coordinator, at brian.sullivan@state.co.us or 970-472-4306. The RFA was released on December 16, 2024, and applications are due by February 10, 2025.