Colorado Watershed Restoration Program

The Colorado Watershed Restoration Program is administered by the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) and is designed to support projects that build resilience to post-wildfire impacts. The 2026 funding round emphasizes the development of Wildfire Ready Watersheds (WRW) Action Plans and associated implementation strategies to reduce vulnerability to hazards such as debris flows, flooding, and erosion. These hazards pose significant risks to public safety, infrastructure, water supplies, and ecosystems across the state. The CWCB considers this a high-priority initiative due to the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires and their compounding post-event effects. Funding is available for several categories of watershed work: capacity building, planning, engineering, implementation, and post-wildfire emergency mitigation. Capacity building grants are used to support the formation and coordination of watershed stakeholder groups. Planning grants help create formal WRW Action Plans, while engineering funds can be used for modeling, risk assessments, project design, permitting, and construction oversight. Implementation funding supports on-the-ground efforts such as floodplain restoration, sediment catchment construction, gully stabilization, and installation of debris control structures. Emergency funding is also available for qualifying projects responding directly to recent wildfire events. Applicants must be Colorado-based governmental entities, non-profit corporations, water or conservation districts, watershed coalitions, or tribal governments. Federal agencies and private landowners are not eligible to apply directly, although projects on their land are allowed under sponsorship of an eligible entity. Local governments not participating in the National Flood Insurance Program are disqualified. All grants must include a detailed scope of work, a project schedule, and a completed budget template. Matching funds are required—25% for planning, capacity, and engineering, and 50% for implementation—with a maximum of half the match allowed as in-kind contribution. Tribes are exempt from the match requirement. The application process requires prior consultation with CWCB staff and submission via the CWCB grant portal. Required documents include a completed application (as detailed in the program guidelines), a scope of work, a budget, letters of support, and documentation for both secured and pending matching funds. Evaluation is based on the applicant’s qualifications, project feasibility, alignment with WRW goals, and demonstration of stakeholder engagement. Applications must show urgency and potential for impact, including measurable improvements to life safety and ecological function. Grants are reviewed on a rolling basis beginning February 13, 2026, and will be accepted until all funds are obligated. There is no set closing date; however, applicants are encouraged to apply early due to competitive demand. The review process involves initial screening by CWCB staff, scoring by an internal evaluation committee, and final funding approval by the CWCB Director. Contracts must be executed within six months of award, with reporting required every six months. Final payment is contingent on a satisfactory final report. This grant program is recurring and reflects Colorado’s broader strategic approach to integrating hazard mitigation with watershed planning. The WRW initiative is positioned as a scalable model for community-led, science-based resilience planning. The Colorado Watershed Restoration Program plays a pivotal role in that implementation and continues to evolve in response to growing threats from wildfire and climate change.

Early engagement with CWCB staff is strongly advised. Applications without demonstrated urgency, stakeholder inclusion, and WRW alignment are disqualified.