RESTORE Colorado Program (Restoration and Stewardship of Outdoor Resources and the Environment)

The RESTORE Colorado Program (Restoration and Stewardship of Outdoor Resources and the Environment) is a collaborative funding initiative supporting large-scale habitat restoration and stewardship projects across both public and private lands within the state of Colorado. The program is administered by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and is jointly funded by an array of partners including Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the Gates Family Foundation, OXY, Chevron, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. This program emerged in response to the challenges associated with piecing together funding for expansive restoration projects. By pooling resources from state, federal, and private entities, RESTORE Colorado facilitates a streamlined application process, enabling applicants to submit a single grant request for multi-benefit projects. This pooled approach enhances financial flexibility, allowing for the implementation of impactful projects that promote ecological health and wildlife resilience throughout Colorado. The program focuses on key habitat types and ecological priorities that align with broader conservation goals across the state. In 2025, approximately $4.5 million is expected to be available for funding. Priority habitat areas and conservation themes eligible for support include watershed resilience (covering wetlands, riparian, and upland habitats such as forests), Eastern Colorado grasslands, sagebrush rangelands, and big game winter range and migration corridors. These targeted focus areas reflect a strategic intent to restore degraded ecosystems, support native species, and strengthen the resilience of natural landscapes under changing environmental conditions. Eligibility for the RESTORE Colorado program is broad but specific. Eligible applicants include nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, federal government agencies, state government agencies, political subdivisions of the state, local and municipal governments, Tribes, and educational institutions. GOCO’s eligibility guidance further narrows the pool by identifying that eligible applicants also include Colorado cities, towns, and counties, Title 32 special districts eligible for Conservation Trust Fund distributions, and land conservation organizations with a mission focused on natural area acquisitions. Notably, school districts, libraries, and some other nonprofit organizations are not eligible for direct GOCO funding, though they may participate through partnerships with eligible entities. The application process consists of several sequential phases. Prospective applicants should begin by reviewing program requirements and engaging with their regional officer six or more months before the concept paper deadline to refine their project idea. After this early-stage consultation, applicants submit a concept paper. If invited to proceed, a full application can then be submitted. Awarded projects may have up to three years for completion and must conclude with the submission of final documentation. The Request for Proposals (RFP) for the 2025 funding cycle is expected to be released in August 2025. Final grant decisions by NFWF and GOCO will be made in December 2025, with formal award announcements anticipated by March 2026. The grant is not offered on a rolling basis but is expected to recur annually. There are no predefined matching requirements, though applicants are encouraged to work with program officers to establish appropriate match levels based on available resources. The program typically supports a competitive number of awards each year, based on the scale and scope of received proposals.

Engage with a regional officer early; collaboration and partnerships are encouraged.