Colorado Assistance Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant

The Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities Grant Program (EC-SDC Grant Program) is an initiative supported by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and administered by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). This program operates under the broader Colorado Assistance for Emerging Contaminants initiative, specifically targeting regulated public water systems serving small or disadvantaged communities. The program’s primary purpose is to provide financial assistance in the form of grants for planning, design, and infrastructure development to mitigate public health risks posed by emerging contaminants in drinking water, including PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), manganese, and other hazardous substances. The EC-SDC Program offers funding through two distinct grant tiers. Tier 1 Planning and Design Grants cover the initial project development phase, including pilot testing. These grants provide a maximum of $300,000 for projects with durations up to 24 months. A key requirement for Tier 1 applicants is submission of a Drinking Water Revolving Fund (DWRF) prequalification form either before or with their application. Tier 2 Infrastructure Grants support full-scale design and construction efforts such as treatment facilities, water system consolidations, or the establishment of new potable water sources. These grants may award up to $30 million per project, with a maximum disbursement of $10 million in a single year, contingent on fund availability. Tier 2 applicants must already have completed the DWRF prequalification and project needs assessment processes, along with other documentation including final design documents and environmental reviews. Eligibility for this program is limited to regulated public water systems classified as community or non-transient, non-community systems within the DWRF program that also meet the criteria for disadvantaged communities under the Safe Drinking Water Act Section 1452(d)(3) or the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Drinking Water Revolving Fund (BIL DWRF) principal forgiveness guidelines. Applicants must have completed assessment sampling to confirm the presence and extent of emerging contaminants prior to application. Costs related to assessment sampling are not eligible for funding under this grant but may be supported under the separate PFAS Grant Program. The current application round for Request for Applications (RFA) Number 42483C opened on July 21, 2025, and will close on August 31, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. MDT. The RFA documentation, including required forms such as the checklist and signature form, W-9, project narrative, and specific budget work plans for Tier 1 and Tier 2 projects, are accessible via CDPHE’s official site. Any questions related to the RFA must be submitted through the designated inquiry form by August 4, 2025, at 2 p.m. MDT. Responses will be posted publicly within seven business days of that deadline. Future RFA rounds are expected to be announced semiannually in January and July for years 2026 through 2028, contingent upon EPA fund allocations. Applicants are encouraged to monitor the CDPHE website and subscribe to the Grants and Loans unit listserv to receive timely updates on future opportunities. The department’s location is 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver, CO 80246, and general inquiries may be directed to cdphe_wqcd_ec_sdc_grants@state.co.us or by calling 303-692-2000. Recent past awards provide insight into successful applicants. In January 2024, Tier 1 awards were given to the City of La Junta and Wigwam Water Company, with a Tier 2 award issued to the South Adams Water and Sanitation District. In January 2025, multiple Tier 1 awards were distributed to municipalities and water districts, including the City of Brighton, City of La Junta, and Town of Manzanola, while a Tier 2 grant was awarded to the City of Aurora.

Questions due by August 4, 2025. DWRF prequalification is essential.