South Fork Focus Zone Irrigated Acreage Retirement Program

The South Fork Focus Zone Irrigated Acreage Retirement Program is a targeted funding initiative overseen by the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), designed to fulfill the state’s multistate commitment to retire 25,000 acres of irrigated land in the South Fork Focus Zone (SFFZ) of the Republican River Basin. This obligation stems from a 2016 resolution between Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska, aimed at improving water management and compliance within the basin. As of spring 2025, over 17,000 acres had already been retired, and the program now seeks to support the retirement of the remaining 8,000 acres. The 2025 Water Projects Bill (SB25-283) allocated $6 million to this effort, making direct financial support available to eligible landowners. The program offers a flat-rate grant of $750 per irrigated acre retired. It is intended to complement existing federal and state conservation efforts and is specifically limited to landowners with eligible irrigated acreage within the live stream boundary of the South Fork of the Republican River. Participation in one of four pre-approved base programs—CREP, EQIP, RAMP, or WPPP—is a prerequisite for eligibility. These base programs provide the structural framework and conservation standards necessary for participation in the SFFZ program, ensuring consistency and effectiveness across the effort. Eligibility is narrowly defined to ensure both geographic and programmatic alignment. Applicants must demonstrate ownership of the irrigated acreage for more than one year and secure a positive recommendation from the Republican River Water Conservation District (RRWCD). This recommendation includes an evaluation of eligible acreage and an endorsement of the requested grant amount. Final grant decisions are made by the CWCB, in coordination with the Colorado Division of Water Resources. Both agencies review the application for completeness, eligibility, and compliance with budget and insurance guidelines. The application process begins with outreach to the RRWCD, which helps landowners assemble the required documents and submit the completed application to the CWCB. Key components of the application include proof of ownership, documentation of base program participation, the RRWCD recommendation, a Scope of Work (Exhibit A), a Budget (Exhibit B), proof of insurance (if required), and a Certificate of Good Standing with the Colorado Secretary of State (if applicable). Applications can be submitted by email to the program manager. Grants are approved on a rolling basis, meaning applications are accepted continuously until the allocated funds are exhausted. However, all awarded grants must be executed by December 31, 2029. This timeline aligns with Colorado’s binding interstate commitment. While there is no set application deadline, funding is limited, and landowners are encouraged to apply as early as possible. The program does not include any matching fund requirement, focusing instead on direct land retirement compensation. For additional details or application support, interested landowners should consult the program’s official guidelines or contact Michael Regan at the CWCB via email at [email protected]. RRWCD remains the primary liaison for applicants, ensuring that all participation is appropriately aligned with both local conservation goals and multistate compliance objectives.