Water Supply Reserve Fund Grants

The Water Supply Reserve Fund (WSRF) Grant Program is administered by the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) with the aim of supporting the state’s water users in addressing critical water supply challenges. CWCB, a division of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, is responsible for managing Colorado’s water resources to meet current and future demands. The WSRF program aligns with the mission of CWCB by funding water-related projects and activities that promote sustainable and equitable water management across the state. This includes technical planning, project design, environmental compliance, infrastructure improvements, and educational initiatives consistent with the Colorado Water Plan. WSRF funding supports a wide range of eligible activities. These include technical assistance for permitting, feasibility studies, environmental reviews, studies of water needs—whether structural, nonstructural, consumptive, or nonconsumptive—design of structural projects, and infrastructure replacement or maintenance. In addition, the fund may support educational outreach and innovative projects that further the Colorado Water Plan’s goals, although such education-specific initiatives are typically more suited to the PEPO Grant Program or Colorado Water Plan Grant Program. Grants may be combined with low-interest loans to cover the full funding needs of a project. Eligibility for the WSRF program extends to a variety of applicants. Governmental entities such as municipalities, special districts, water and sanitation districts, conservancy districts, conservation districts, irrigation entities, counties, and state agencies are all eligible. Federal agencies can participate in collaboration with local entities. Private entities including mutual ditch companies, nonprofit organizations, individuals, and partnerships may also apply. An important requirement for Covered Entities under Section 37-60-126, C.R.S., is the adoption of a CWCB-approved Water Efficiency Plan to be considered eligible. The application process begins with engagement at the regional level. Applicants must first obtain approval from one of Colorado’s nine Basin Roundtables. Once the Basin has approved the request, the application is submitted via the CWCB Portal. Required materials include Exhibit A (Statement of Work), Exhibit B (Budget & Schedule), and supporting documentation such as maps, photos, designs, reports, and letters of support. All materials must be uploaded to the CWCB Portal, and only submissions with these documents in Word and Excel formats are accepted. Applications are due six times per year: February 1, April 1, June 1, August 1, October 1, and December 1. Basin Roundtable approval must precede submission to the CWCB. The CWCB Board will review submissions during meetings held three months after the application deadline. A grant is considered active upon the execution of a formal State Agreement, not upon board approval. Reimbursement eligibility begins only after the applicant receives a formal Notice to Proceed (NTP). Applicants are encouraged to review the WSRF Grant Guidelines (January 2023) and to consult with their Basin Roundtable for specific criteria. The CWCB Portal provides registration and application submission functions, though portal approval may take 1–2 business days. For technical issues with portal access, Carolyn Kemp can be contacted at carolyn.kemp@state.co.us. For general questions about the WSRF Grant Program, the point of contact is Ben Wade, who can be reached at 303-866-3441 ext. 3238.

Start discussions with basin roundtable and CWCB staff 6-12 months ahead; secure match early