RESTORE Colorado Program

The RESTORE Colorado Program is an annual grant opportunity managed by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF). It is designed to support voluntary, large-scale habitat restoration efforts throughout Colorado. Administered through a collaborative partnership that includes federal, state, and private sector organizations, the program funds projects that improve ecological health, enhance wildlife habitat, and promote climate resilience across the state. Key partners include Great Outdoors Colorado, Chevron, the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, the Colorado Water Conservation Board, the Gates Family Foundation, OXY, the Walton Family Foundation, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. The 2026 cycle of RESTORE Colorado focuses on landscape-scale conservation projects that cross jurisdictional boundaries and integrate restoration and management strategies. Project priorities include watershed resilience, restoration of Eastern Colorado grasslands and sagebrush rangelands, enhancement of big game winter range and migration corridors, capacity building for conservation delivery, and restoration efforts within urban environments. Priority habitats include wetlands, riparian areas, upland forests, and rangelands. Projects are expected to deliver measurable outcomes, particularly in terms of improved habitat for species listed in state or federal wildlife action plans or other conservation frameworks. Projects must take place entirely within Colorado and should demonstrate a high level of community involvement, technical feasibility, and ecological benefit. Proposals are evaluated for alignment with program priorities, cost-effectiveness, technical soundness, and long-term sustainability. Projects must also describe any community engagement strategies, including co-design processes and partnerships with local stakeholders. Urban projects are eligible but face limited funding and are expected to align with broader watershed resilience goals. Applicants may request a minimum of $100,000 in funding, with approximately 10 awards anticipated for the 2026 cycle. While matching funds are encouraged, they are not required. Both federal and non-federal matching contributions are permitted, with clear documentation required in the proposal. Leverage contributions, such as in-kind support or related prior project phases, can also be listed but do not need to meet formal matching criteria. Projects should begin within six months of award and conclude within three years. Funds may be used for technical assistance, staffing, conservation planning, and implementation of on-the-ground practices, including fencing, invasive species control, and restoration of habitat structure and hydrology. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, political subdivisions of the state, local and municipal governments, Native Nations and Indigenous-led organizations, and educational institutions. For-profit businesses and individuals are not eligible to apply. Applications must be submitted through NFWF’s Easygrants portal. The deadline for full proposals is November 10, 2025, and awards will be announced in March 2026 following a four-month review period. All projects must demonstrate compliance with applicable state and federal environmental regulations and secure necessary permits before initiating work. For general inquiries, applicants may contact Emma Wigger, Coordinator of Rocky Mountain Regional Programs, at Emma.Wigger@nfwf.org. Additional contacts include Kirstin Neff for watershed resilience projects and Chris West for sagebrush, grassland, and migration corridor efforts. For technical issues with Easygrants, the NFWF helpdesk can be reached at Easygrants@nfwf.org or 202-595-2497. Applicants are encouraged to review the Tip Sheet and participate in the applicant webinar scheduled for August 28, 2025.

Engage with NFWF early; use Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy tools; consult NRCS if applying for capacity funds.