Colorado Environment Grants

This funding opportunity supports various water-related projects in Colorado, such as conservation, water supply, and watershed health, aimed at enhancing the state's water management and sustainability efforts.

The Colorado Water Plan Grant Program, directed by the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), aims to support the implementation of the Colorado Water Plan through various project types outlined in Partner Actions. The program offers funding in categories like Water Storage & Supply, Water Sharing Agreements, Conservation & Land Use Planning, Engagement & Innovation, Agricultural, and Watershed Health & Recreation. Eligible applicants include governmental entities, private entities, and others as defined, with projects evaluated based on their alignment with Water Plan goals and available funds. Grant renewed every year. Grant Annual Summer deadline: July 1st

The Energy Code Adoption & Enforcement Grant Program is designed to assist local governments in Colorado with the adoption, implementation, and enforcement of the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) or an equivalent code, the state's model electric ready and solar ready code, and the model low energy and carbon code to be developed, or an equivalent code. Authorized by House Bill 22-1362, the Colorado Energy Office aims to provide financial assistance in the form of grants to support local governments in adopting new minimum energy codes and training local governments and the building industry on compliance with these codes. The total funding amount available under this program will not exceed $2 million. The program does not have a statutory termination date and will remain open for quarterly funding rounds until all funding is expended. Eligible applicants include local governments or partnerships of local governments, as well as councils of governments or non-profit organizations applying on behalf of local governments. The grant program encourages the adoption and enforcement of energy codes that meet or exceed the State of Colorado’s requirements, aiming for energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions reductions. The application deadline for the third round is March 1, 2024, with future rounds to be announced.

The Automated Permit Processing for Solar (APPS) grant program is designed to support local and tribal governments in implementing automated online solar permitting software, such as SolarAPP+ or Symbium. This innovative software streamlines the solar permitting process by instantly verifying the code compliance of solar systems and issuing permits. By reducing staff processing time, the APPS program aims to enhance the efficiency of solar installations, allowing Coloradans to quickly benefit from their rooftop solar investments. The program has allocated a total of $1 million in grants, available on a first-come, first-serve basis, with no matching requirement from recipients. The grant covers various costs associated with adopting automated permitting software, including in-house staff time, training, IT or consultant services, and maintenance or subscription costs for up to three years. The application period opens on April 2, 2024, and closes on June 4, 2024, with program funding available until June 30, 2028, or until expended.

This grant provides financial support to small businesses, non-profits, and educational organizations in Frisco to implement innovative projects that reduce waste and promote sustainability within the community.

2023 Strengthening Neighborhoods Program offers small grants for community groups in Colorado to support grassroots community development and organizing. Projects should leverage existing community strengths and assets, such as residents' skills or neighborhood institutions. Funding areas include arts, culture, humanities, civic fabric, economic opportunity, education, environment & climate, food & nutrition, health & mental health, housing & homelessness, human services, religious institutions, transportation, and youth development.

This grant provides financial support to small- and medium-sized technology businesses in Colorado to help them export their products and services to new international markets.

City of Centennial is accepting applications for the Broncos Youth Activity Grant Program, offering $900,000 in grant funding to support youth activity programs due to the sale of the Broncos Football Team. Organizations may apply for a maximum of $200,000 for capital projects and $100,000 for other initiatives. Projects must be completed within one year and applicants must demonstrate how the project benefits Centennial youth. Preference will be given to new projects that have not been previously considered, and discrimination-based groups or programs are not eligible for funding. Visit City of Centennial for more information.

This funding initiative provides financial support to independently owned commercial businesses in Wheat Ridge for implementing environmentally sustainable improvements that reduce their ecological footprint.

The Small Business Equity Fund (SBEF) grant program, launched by the Colorado Green Business Network (CGBN), provides funding to small businesses in disproportionately impacted communities, specifically Aurora and Commerce City, for energy efficiency upgrades. The program aims to support local small businesses, promote equity and resource efficiency, and enhance operational sustainability. Eligible projects can receive up to $10,000 per business for installations of LED lighting and other small energy upgrades, as well as upfront coverage of up to 70% of the cost for commercial refrigeration equipment replacements. Projects must be approved by the Colorado Green Business Network and are subject to a site visit for eligibility confirmation. Applications can be submitted online until August 1st, 2024, on a first-come, first-serve basis. Businesses must meet certain criteria such as being located in Aurora or Commerce City, operating for at least 2 years, paying utility bills, employing 50 or fewer employees, and being registered with the CO Secretary of State and IRS. To be eligible for additional energy-saving devices, businesses must sign up with Green Biz Tracker and become a Colorado Green Business Network support level member. Pictures of installed equipment must be provided. For further assistance or inquiries, applicants can contact the Colorado Green Business Network Specialists via email at [email protected] or phone at 720-968-0366.

The Office of Gun Violence Prevention (OGVP) within the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CPDHE) has established a grant program for organizations to conduct community-based gun violence initiatives focused on interrupting cycles of gun violence, trauma, and retaliation. Donor Name: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment State: Colorado County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/17/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 2 Years Details: This year, OGVP will provide funding focused on firearm suicide prevention and community violence intervention initiatives. The overall goal of this funding is to address disparities in those communities at the highest risk. OGVP will fund projects that fall within two categories, also known as Paths: Path 1 Projects focused on the prevention of unintentional and intentional firearm-related harm.  Path 1 strategies will reduce unauthorized firearm access and educate about temporary out-of-home gun storage for individuals at risk of harming themselves or others, preventing unintentional and intentional firearm-related harm or death through a or b, below. Safe Storage and Lethal Means: Applicants will focus on projects promoting, educating, and providing access to firearm safe storage and/or lethal means counseling and options to reduce access to the methods people use to kill themselves. Extreme Risk Protection Orders: Applicants will focus on projects educating the public on Extreme Risk Protection Orders, a legal form of temporary out-of-home gun storage that restricts access to guns for individuals who have demonstrated they are at risk of harming themselves or others. Path 2 Projects focused on Community Violence Intervention or Interruption. Path 2 strategies will address firearm violence with those most likely to be involved in or impacted by firearm-related harm in communities at the highest risk. Path 2 strategies will align with c or d below: Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Program (HVIPs) and Community-Based Intervention Program (CVIPs) strategies that emphasize the “teachable moment” immediately after youth have been involved or affected by violence and the building of relationships with those most at risk through a “credible messenger” model. Violence Interruption Program strategies that provide an immediate response to shootings to prevent retaliation and the promotion of non-violence through community engagement events. Funding Information Total funding available through this RFA is approximately $500,000 each fiscal year.  Up to 10 grant awards may be available, ranging between $50-100k per awardee. The total funding period is July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2026 with a potential of another year of renewal through 2027.  Eligibility Criteria Applications are open to Colorado-based community and grassroots nonprofit organizations, nonprofit educational institutions, nonprofit health care organizations or systems, and nonprofit organizations providing services on a reservation or Tribal land with a letter of support from the applicable Tribe. Fiscal agents are eligible to apply on behalf of organizations without an IRS 50(c)(3). The OGVP program particularly encourages applications from organizations that advocate or serve the priority communities most impacted by firearm homicides and suicides (Black, Latino, Indigenous, People of Color; LGBTQIA+ communities; youth and young adults; veterans; middle-aged men; and isolated rural communities. For more information, visit CPDHE.