Technical Assistance for Federal Cost-Sharing (TAFC) Program

The Technical Assistance for Federal Cost-Sharing (TAFC) Program is administered by the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), a division of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. The TAFC Program was created to support Colorado water users who face barriers to accessing federal funds due to limited staff or technical expertise. Recognizing the complexity and resource demands involved in securing federal funding, the program aims to alleviate these challenges by funding preparatory and support activities that directly lead to federal grant applications. The program provides direct grants to eligible applicants, which include governmental entities (cities, counties, enterprises, and special districts), covered entities as defined in Section 37-60-126, C.R.S., and private organizations such as non-profits, mutual ditch companies, and partnerships. While Colorado state agencies are generally not eligible, exceptions may be granted under limited circumstances. The intent is to equip these groups with the capacity and resources to produce compelling, competitive applications for federal investment in water projects. Grants awarded through the TAFC Program can be used for a variety of project development and administrative activities. These include preliminary engineering and design, permitting, cost estimating, stakeholder engagement, and coordination with funding agencies. Additionally, eligible uses extend to researching federal funding opportunities, reviewing application criteria, crafting applications, and preparing necessary attachments such as letters of support. A critical requirement for all TAFC-funded projects is that they must include the preparation and submission of at least one federal grant application as an explicit component in the scope of work and budget. Applicants must follow a defined process to access TAFC support. Before submitting an application, interested parties are required to contact the CWCB—specifically Michael Regan—to discuss their project’s eligibility and alignment with TAFC goals. Applications must be submitted through the CWCB's online Loan and Grant Portal. First-time users must complete the portal registration process, which takes 1–2 days. Required application materials include a completed scope of work, project schedule, and budget, all of which must be uploaded directly to the portal. The program operates on a rolling basis, and awards are reviewed and approved according to CWCB’s bimonthly board meeting schedule, until all program funds are fully committed. The program is supported by a total funding pool of $500,000 and operates on a reimbursement basis. Successful applicants must execute a grant contract within three months of award notification. Contractors are reimbursed for actual approved expenses, supported by documentation and progress reports submitted on a monthly or quarterly basis. Notably, the final 10 percent of the awarded funds is withheld until the project is complete and a final report is submitted, summarizing achievements, deliverables, obstacles, and verification of matching commitments. TAFC grants require a 25 percent match from applicants, which may be composed of both cash and in-kind services. However, in-kind contributions cannot exceed half of the total match. The match must be documented as either secured or pending at the time of application. In-kind contributions may include staff time and volunteer labor, but cannot include general operating or overhead costs. To be eligible to receive TAFC grants, applicants must have an active federal Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) or System for Award Management (SAM) registration. The program emphasizes alignment with the Colorado Water Plan and prioritizes projects identified in Basin Implementation Plans or collaborative watershed management efforts. Evaluation criteria focus on the relevance of the project to regional or statewide water and natural resource goals, stakeholder and agency engagement, and readiness to proceed. The TAFC Program is especially valuable for organizations aiming to improve their competitiveness for federal water infrastructure funds while ensuring consistency with state conservation priorities.