Small Communities Water and Wastewater Grants

The Small Communities Water and Wastewater Grants (SCG) program is administered by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) under the authority of Regulation 55, established by the Colorado Water Quality Control Commission. The program is designed to provide financial assistance to small communities that face infrastructure challenges related to water and wastewater systems. Specifically, it targets governmental and not-for-profit water systems serving populations of no more than 5,000 people, offering support where financial constraints hinder critical water infrastructure improvements. The funding provided under this program is intended to improve public health and environmental outcomes by addressing deficiencies in water and wastewater infrastructure. The grant aims to enhance water quality, ensure compliance with public health standards, and assist small communities in overcoming financial barriers to necessary infrastructure investments. The program supports both planning and implementation projects, although specific uses of funds and spending rules are not elaborated in the source content. The SCG program can also help recipients meet matching requirements for federal infrastructure funds, particularly those associated with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), as authorized by SB23-238. Eligibility for the SCG program is determined based on two criteria: population and financial need. Eligible applicants include governmental agencies, counties representing unincorporated areas, and not-for-profit public water systems. To verify financial need, an analysis is conducted by the Colorado Department of Local Affairs, which issues qualification certificates. Only applicants serving a population of 5,000 or fewer are considered, ensuring that the grant targets the smallest and most financially constrained communities in the state. The application process for SCG grants is contingent on the availability of funds. When sufficient funds accumulate to support a new round of awards, a Request for Applications (RFA) is released. The RFA outlines eligibility criteria, project types supported, submission instructions, and timeframes. However, at this time, there is no scheduled date for the next RFA. Interested applicants are encouraged to subscribe to updates via the CDPHE Grants and Loans unit listserv to receive announcements when new opportunities arise. For entities that have already been awarded grants under the SCG program, compliance and reporting are required. Grantees must submit standardized invoices along with supporting documentation via email to the contract monitor at CDPHE_WQCD_Contracts+LAU@state.co.us. Quarterly reports must be submitted using an online Google Form specific to each quarter, and final project reports must be submitted upon project completion. These reports ensure that funds are used appropriately and outcomes are documented. For general inquiries regarding the Small Communities Water and Wastewater Grants, applicants can contact CDPHE at 303-692-2848 or via email at CDPHE.WQCD.Watergrants@state.co.us. Although there is currently no active RFA, the grant is expected to recur once adequate funding becomes available. Interested applicants should monitor the CDPHE website and mailing list for future announcements.