Colorado Water Plan Grants

The Colorado Water Plan Grant Program is administered by the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), a division of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. The program was initiated following a 2013 directive by then-Governor John Hickenlooper to develop a comprehensive water policy document reflecting the state’s core values. The resulting Colorado Water Plan was adopted in 2015 and updated in 2023. In 2017, the state legislature began appropriating funds to implement the plan. The Water Plan Grant Program is designed to support projects that align with the plan's implementation categories and objectives. For the 2025 grant cycles, approximately $36.7 million in total funding is available across five primary categories: Agriculture ($8.8M), Conservation & Land Use ($5.8M), Engagement & Innovation ($2.2M), Storage & Supply ($8.5M), and Watershed & Recreation ($11.4M). The grant program funds a variety of project types, including construction projects, feasibility studies, conservation planning, water-sharing agreements, educational initiatives, agricultural modernization, and watershed restoration. Applications are categorized into one of five main areas: Water Storage and Supply, Conservation and Land Use, Engagement and Innovation, Agricultural Projects, and Watershed Health and Recreation. Each of these categories has its own specific evaluation criteria. The program is competitive, with preference given to projects that are collaborative, multi-beneficial, and aligned with Basin Implementation Plans. Applications are reviewed by CWCB staff and subject matter experts before being presented to the CWCB Board for final approval. Eligible applicants include governmental entities such as municipalities, counties, districts, and state agencies, as well as private entities including nonprofit corporations, mutual ditch companies, and partnerships. Projects must demonstrate financial feasibility, a commitment to collaboration, and the ability to address water supply and demand gaps. For construction projects, a minimum 50% match is required; for planning or study-related projects, a minimum 25% match is required. Matching funds can include both cash and in-kind contributions, although no more than half of the match can be in-kind. Past expenditures directly related to the project and incurred within nine months of the contract date may also count toward the match. Applicants are required to submit their application materials via the CWCB Portal. Required documents include a Statement of Work, Engineer’s Estimate (for projects over $100,000), Budget, Schedule, Maps (if applicable), Letters of Commitment for matching funds, and any support letters from basin roundtables. Although not mandatory, support letters are encouraged as they strengthen the application by demonstrating alignment with regional goals. Applications must be submitted by the deadline for consideration at the corresponding CWCB Board meeting—either the December 1 or July 1 deadline, with Board decisions rendered at the March and September meetings, respectively. Evaluation of grant applications is based on how effectively the proposed project advances the Water Plan’s objectives. Reviewers assess whether the project is cost-effective, technically sound, and inclusive of diverse stakeholders. Additional considerations include local support, readiness to proceed, sustainability, and potential to serve as a model for other regions. A progress report must be submitted every six months, and a final report is required to release the final 10% of funding. Grant managers are assigned by region and provide guidance throughout the application process. Contact information is as follows: Lauren Duncan for Arkansas Basin (lauren.duncan@state.co.us, 720-788-2178), Ashley Garrison for Colorado, Gunnison, and Yampa/White/Green Basins (ashley.garrison@state.co.us, 719-466-9626), Jackie Carano for Metro, South Platte, and North Platte Basins (jackie.carano@state.co.us, 720-846-1571), and Laura Spann for Rio Grande and Southwest Basins (laura.spann@state.co.us, 720-916-7723). All grant contracts must be executed within six months of approval or risk forfeiture of funds.

Applicants should contact their regional manager before applying and submit all documents via the CWCB Portal.