Regional Green Grants

The Regional Green Grants program is a new pilot initiative funded by San Miguel County, Silverton’s Team GOLD, and the Telluride Foundation. It is administered by EcoAction Partners and is designed to fund projects that reduce emissions, cut energy costs, and enhance community resilience across three Colorado counties—San Miguel, San Juan, and Ouray. This initiative supports the goals of the regional Climate Action Plan, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030 and 90% by 2050, using 2010 as the baseline year. Grants are available for a range of sustainability-focused projects, including energy efficiency upgrades, renewable energy systems, water conservation measures, and innovative climate resilience strategies. Projects must demonstrate measurable greenhouse gas reductions and other environmental, social, or economic benefits. Typical awards range between $5,000 and $10,000, though the program accepts applications for amounts from $500 up to $25,000. These are reimbursement grants; however, applicants who cannot cover upfront costs are encouraged to contact EcoAction Partners to discuss alternatives. Applicants must reside or operate within San Miguel, San Juan, or Ouray counties. Eligible applicants include individuals, private businesses, nonprofit organizations, community spaces, and homeowners associations. All projects must be local, ready for execution, and capable of completion by December 15, 2026. While general administration costs are typically ineligible for funding, exceptions may be made if deemed necessary by the review committee. Each application is reviewed by one of four Regional Review Committees corresponding to the applicant’s locality: San Miguel County (non-Telluride residents), Town of Telluride, San Juan County, or Ouray County. These committees include local experts with sustainability experience. Evaluation criteria include environmental impact, cost-effectiveness, community benefit, innovation, technical feasibility, and equity. Projects serving frontline or under-resourced communities—such as low-income households, seniors, or rural residents—receive special consideration. The application process begins with the release of a required Intent to Apply form on July 21, 2025. The deadline to submit this form is November 3, 2025. Full applications are due by November 14, 2025. Grant awards will be announced on December 12, 2025, and funding agreements are expected to be in place by January 9, 2026. All projects must be completed and reported by December 15, 2026. Applicants must submit a final report and a testimonial letter (including photos and outcomes) to local media outlets and EcoAction Partners before receiving reimbursement. All applications must be submitted electronically; hard copies are not accepted. Confidentiality during the review process may be requested by marking the application appropriately. Once awarded, all grant projects become public. For questions or support, applicants can contact EcoAction Partners at info@ecoactionpartners.org or by phone at 970-728-1340.

Applicants should contact EcoAction Partners for support if they cannot fund the project upfront. All projects must be completed by Dec 15, 2026.