The Colorado Water Conservation Board administers the Water Supply Reserve Fund Grant Program to help Colorado’s water users address critical supply challenges. Established by the state legislature and funded primarily through severance-tax revenue, WSRF directs money to nine basin roundtables and to a statewide reserve so local projects can advance planning, design, construction, education, and other water-related activities.
The program supports a wide array of purposes, including permitting assistance, feasibility studies, environmental compliance, analysis of consumptive and non-consumptive needs, structural design, and replacement or maintenance of aging infrastructure. Statewide account grants also target projects that bolster drought resilience and rehabilitation of existing storage or conveyance works. Grant funds may not be used as match for Colorado Water Plan grants without prior written approval.
Governmental applicants—municipalities, special districts, counties, and state agencies—along with private entities such as mutual ditch companies, nonprofits, individuals, and partnerships may apply. All applicants must contribute a minimum twenty-five percent match, with no more than half of that contribution provided in-kind, and at least ten percent of total project cost must come from basin-account funds. Federal agencies are encouraged to partner with local sponsors, and covered entities must hold an approved Water Efficiency Plan.
Prospective grantees first work with the appropriate basin roundtable to vet project scope and match commitments before submitting through the CWCB online portal. Required uploads include a Statement of Work (Exhibit A in Word), detailed budget and schedule (Exhibit B in Excel), maps or photos, engineering cost estimates for construction over one-hundred-thousand dollars, and letters confirming matching funds. The roundtable must then submit a written recommendation letter, after which CWCB staff conduct technical review, prepare a Water Activity Summary Sheet, and present the request to the CWCB Board or Director for a funding decision.
The program accepts applications on a repeating schedule: October 1, December 1, February 1, April 1, June 1, and August 1 each year. CWCB considers applications at the board meeting three months after each deadline. Projects may begin once a formal State Agreement is fully executed; reimbursement eligibility starts only after the grantee receives that agreement. Grantees must execute a contract within six months of award, submit progress reports every six months, and deliver a comprehensive final report before the final ten percent of funds are released.
For technical issues with the CWCB portal or password resets, applicants may contact Carolyn Kemp at carolyn.kemp@state.co.us. Applicants are encouraged to engage basin representatives and CWCB program managers six to twelve months before commencing work to refine scopes, secure match funding, and ensure alignment with basin implementation plans and the Colorado Water Plan.
Start discussions with basin roundtable and CWCB staff 6-12 months ahead; secure match early
