Damage Prevention Fund

The Colorado Division of Oil and Public Safety (OPS), a division within the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE), has launched its 2026 funding cycle for the Damage Prevention Fund grant program. This initiative is designed to promote education and awareness surrounding safe digging practices throughout Colorado. The Damage Prevention Fund itself originates from penalties collected from entities found to be in violation of Colorado's Excavation Requirements Law. Rather than allowing these fines to go unused, the state has redirected them toward community-benefiting projects aimed at increasing underground facility safety, enhancing public knowledge, and reducing preventable damage and injuries. This is the second year of grant disbursement under the program, following the initial funding cycle which supported significant projects such as the bilingual production of Colorado Springs Utilities’ Positive Response video and the 2025 Damage Prevention Summit & Expo hosted by Colorado 811. These previously funded efforts demonstrated how targeted education and public outreach can effectively mitigate excavation-related risks. In 2026, the OPS and the Underground Damage Prevention Safety Commission are again seeking proposals that reflect creativity, community engagement, and alignment with Colorado’s broader damage prevention and safety goals. Grants of up to $20,000 will be available to eligible applicants for projects that educate stakeholders about safe digging protocols, particularly those that align with state-endorsed best practices. All project proposals must clearly demonstrate their relevance to damage prevention, public safety, or underground utility awareness. The evaluation process will be conducted by the Underground Damage Prevention Safety Commission, which has overseen the fund since its inception and ensures that selected initiatives align with both statutory goals and community impact objectives. To be considered for funding, applicants must submit a completed application via the Bidnet portal, which requires a free account to access and submit application materials. A mandatory pre-application conference will be held on March 23, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. via Google Meet, providing prospective applicants with an overview of application expectations and program criteria. Final completed applications and all required documentation must be submitted no later than April 24, 2026. While no matching funds are required, applicants should be prepared to demonstrate the feasibility of their proposed project, alignment with educational or outreach goals, and capacity for successful execution. Priority will be given to initiatives that are scalable, innovative, and address diverse or underserved communities within Colorado. Award notifications and fund disbursements are expected to follow shortly after the close of the application period. The Damage Prevention Fund grant program is part of Colorado’s broader strategy to ensure environmental safety and infrastructure protection across the state. Administered by the Division of Oil and Public Safety, the program reflects CDLE’s continued commitment to public safety through educational and regulatory measures. Interested organizations are encouraged to review the state’s published best practices for underground damage prevention and to submit proposals that advance these standards in meaningful and measurable ways.