Promoting Youth Development & Conservation

Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) and the Colorado Youth Corps Association (CYCA) jointly announce the 2026 Conservation Service Corps grant opportunity, allocating up to $1.5 million to support projects that enhance outdoor recreation, stewardship, and restoration through conservation service corps labor. The initiative aims to employ youth and young adults aged 14–25 throughout Colorado to undertake high-impact conservation and recreational infrastructure projects using accredited CYCA conservation corps members. The program contributes to ecosystem restoration, disaster mitigation, and the maintenance of public lands. GOCO is a state-funded entity leveraging Colorado Lottery proceeds to preserve and enrich the state’s parks, trails, wildlife, and open spaces. Since 1992, it has awarded more than $1.4 billion across over 5,700 projects statewide. CYCA is a coalition of eight service corps that provide workforce training for youth, young adults, and veterans focused on land, water, and energy conservation. Together, they provide high-capacity crews capable of planning and executing impactful projects statewide. Eligible applicants include Colorado municipalities, counties, Title 32 special districts, state political subdivisions focused on open space, land conservation organizations, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Projects must request a minimum of two weeks of corps labor (each week defined as 320 hours) and occur on land owned or managed by public agencies, conservation organizations, or federal entities. The work must focus on enhancing ecosystems or recreational infrastructure. Projects on federal land must pertain only to stewardship or passive recreation improvements. Public benefit must be clearly demonstrated, and applicants must coordinate in advance with corps crews. Only labor costs are eligible for funding; materials and other expenses are not, although they may count as match contributions. A minimum 10% match is required, which can be fully in-kind and sourced from any project partner. If this match requirement cannot be met, applicants may request a waiver from CYCA. Weekly crew rates range from $13,800 to $14,800 depending on crew type, with optional chipper services at $1,250 per week. Project work must conclude within one year of award, and by December 31, 2026, at the latest. Grant decisions will be made in December 2025. Applications are due by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30, 2025. Applicants must submit a single PDF to Nancy Weil at nweil@cyca.org containing a summary form, a narrative (max three pages), two maps, assurance and signature pages, and authorization letters if applicable. Applicants must also complete a post-project evaluation. Projects are reviewed by CYCA, GOCO staff, and peer reviewers. Questions about eligibility should be directed to Sammie Trotter at strotter@goco.org or 720-576-4112. Other inquiries should be directed to Tom Dillow at tdillow@cyca.org or 303-717-5659.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to coordinate with a conservation service corps in advance and follow the provided checklist closely.