The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF)

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is a longstanding federal grant initiative that supports public outdoor recreation and conservation efforts across the United States. Since 1965, LWCF has helped government agencies preserve natural landscapes and provide recreational infrastructure such as parks, trails, and playgrounds. In Colorado alone, more than 1,000 projects have been supported with over $86 million distributed. The program is federally funded and administered locally in Colorado by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS). The purpose of the LWCF program is to fund land acquisition and the development or redevelopment of public outdoor recreational areas. Projects may involve the purchase of land for new park spaces or the expansion of existing ones, the development of recreational amenities, or a combination of these activities. All projects must be intended for permanent public outdoor recreation use and must be maintained accordingly. Grant funding must be matched dollar-for-dollar by the applicant, with at least 10 percent of the match in the form of a cash contribution. Eligibility is limited to public agencies at the local, county, state, or tribal level that hold ownership of the project site in fee simple. Projects must demonstrate that they meet one or more of the qualifying criteria, including enhancing outdoor recreation opportunities and ensuring perpetual public access. The requested grant amount must fall between $100,000 and $1,250,000. All projects must comply with stewardship obligations outlined in the LWCF manual, including maintaining the recreation value of the site indefinitely. The application process for the 2025 cycle is outlined in the LWCF manual. It includes a pre-application phase, followed by a full application and review process. Applications are submitted via an online portal available only during open grant rounds. Before beginning, applicants should verify their eligibility, review all documentation requirements, and understand the review criteria as defined in the manual. Although the grant is currently closed, interested applicants are encouraged to sign up for updates to be notified when the next round opens. Public comments and additional application summaries will be available when the next cycle resumes. Previous recipients of the grant include cities and counties across Colorado, such as projects in Greeley, Pueblo, Canon City, and Steamboat Springs, reflecting the wide geographic and project-type diversity supported. For further inquiries or support regarding new applications or compliance matters, applicants may contact Chrystal Read, Federal Grants Administrator at Colorado Parks and Wildlife, by phone at 303-791-1957 ext. 4150 or via email at chrystal.read@state.co.us.

Refer to the LWCF Manual for detailed application guidance, eligibility checklists, and stewardship responsibilities.