Best Grants for Environmental Projects in Colorado

The Biophilia Foundation Grants support biodiversity conservation on private lands, focusing on systemic change through community engagement. The foundation encourages organizations to submit letters of inquiry detailing their mission, tax status, funding requests, and intended outcomes. They prioritize private land conservation, ecosystem restoration, and innovative policy initiatives, especially in the arid Southwest and Chesapeake Bay regions. Grants typically range from $5,000 to $25,000, with larger amounts available for established partnerships.

Colorado Energy Office

The Colorado Energy Office (CEO) develops programs and promotes energy policies to fight climate change, improve air quality, and save Coloradans money. CEO plays a central role in building an equitable, clean energy economy. We advance a clean energy agenda, provide funding and technical assistance, and ensure the benefits of the clean energy transition are shared statewide. 

Promoting equity and environmental justice in Colorado is the core of our work. We strive to ensure innovation in energy generation, the built environment, land use, and transportation benefits marginalized and disproportionately impacted communities across the state.

Charge Ahead Colorado Rolling Grant

The Charge Ahead Colorado grant program supports electric vehicle (EV) adoption in Colorado by offering funding for EV charging to serve communities and EV drivers across the state. Charge Ahead Colorado offers State funding for community-based level 2 (L2) and direct current fast-charging (DCFC) EV charging stations with prioritized investments in disproportionately impacted communities and enhanced incentives for eligible qualifying entities. 

The Charge Ahead Colorado Rolling Application is available year-round, only for applicants applying for funding for $50,000 or less to install L2 charging ports and/or charging outlets. The smaller-project limits are generally no more than six Level 2 charging ports or 24 charging outlets. Eligible applicants may receive up to three (3) total Rolling Application awards per calendar year.

The Copper Environmental Foundation (CEF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to environmental sustainability in Colorado's Summit and Lake Counties. Since its inception in 2007, CEF has funded youth environmental programs through generous employee donations and a 100% match from Copper Mountain. With over $425,000 granted from 2008 to 2024, CEF supports various initiatives, including educational programs and conservation projects. Nonprofits interested in applying for grants can reach out to learn more.

The Fish and Wildlife Resources Fund Grant Program, administered by the Colorado Water Conservation Board, aims to support existing water supply facilities while ensuring the protection of Colorado's fish and wildlife. Grants can be utilized for water rights acquisition, river restoration projects, and a combination of both, enhancing environmental sustainability. Eligible applicants include operators of water facilities and the CWCB, with projects expected to be completed within three years. Contact CWCB staff for funding discussions and requirements.

The Dakota Foundation seeks to combine business discipline with charitable intentions to address social issues through grants and program-related investments. With a focus on empowering individuals and fostering sustainable practices, the Foundation supports initiatives that improve economic conditions, particularly in Arizona, North Dakota, New Mexico, Colorado, and North Carolina. Organizations that collaborate effectively and demonstrate measurable results are prioritized, while projects involving unlawful discrimination or certain funding types are discouraged.

The Colorado AmeriCorp Operational Grant, administered by Serve Colorado, aims to enhance community service through AmeriCorps funding. It supports programs targeting workforce development, health care, and green infrastructure, focusing on underserved communities. Applicants must demonstrate a commitment to priority areas, ensuring high-quality program designs to improve lives and foster civic participation. This grant empowers organizations to engage AmeriCorps members in impactful service, promoting economic mobility and advancing racial equity, while addressing local community needs.

The Basin Water Supply Reserve Fund Grants offer financial support to Colorado water users for addressing critical water supply challenges. Eligible entities, including governmental and private organizations, can apply for grants to cover activities such as technical assistance, feasibility studies, and infrastructure projects. Prior approval from a basin roundtable is required before submitting an application. This program aims to promote sustainable water management and align with the goals of the Colorado Water Plan.

The Colorado Water Plan Grants aim to support essential actions outlined in the Colorado Water Plan, focusing on sustainable water management strategies. Funded by the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, these grants facilitate projects related to water storage, sharing agreements, conservation, and educational initiatives. By fostering collaboration among local agencies, the program ensures that Colorado's water resources are conserved and managed effectively for future generations. Eligible projects include technical assistance and innovative water solutions.

The Statewide Water Supply Reserve Fund Grants, offered by the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, aim to assist Colorado water users in addressing critical water supply challenges. These grants support various activities, including technical assistance, feasibility studies, and infrastructure projects. Eligible applicants include governmental and private entities, provided they meet specific criteria. This funding initiative encourages sustainable water management and innovation in line with the Colorado Water Plan.

The Nonpoint Source Program (NPS Program) Grant from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) funds projects aimed at restoring and protecting waterbodies from nonpoint source pollution. This competitive grant opportunity invites submissions for funding under the EPA Clean Water Act Section 319(h). Applicants must enter into cost reimbursement contracts with the State for selected projects, guided by the 2022 Nonpoint Source Management Plan.

The Jacob and Terese Hershey Foundation provides grants focused on environmental justice, reproductive rights, and community parks in Texas and southwestern Colorado. They accept letters of inquiry year-round, with cycles in Spring and Fall. Their funding supports diverse initiatives including project grants, operating grants, and capital grants, emphasizing investments that enhance the well-being of both people and nature, particularly in underserved communities.

The Justin Brooks Fisher Foundation Grant supports conservation and sustainability initiatives, primarily in Boulder, Colorado. The Foundation funds projects focused on environmental education, innovative strategies to combat climate change, and wildfire resiliency. Eligible organizations must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) and primarily operate in Boulder or Pittsburgh. The Foundation does not support individual requests or conference sponsorships, emphasizing its commitment to impactful community projects.

The GOCO Community Impact Grant supports projects that enhance community access to outdoor spaces in Colorado. With a focus on revitalizing parks, trails, and other facilities, GOCO aims to improve the quality of life for residents. Eligible applicants include municipalities, special districts, and non-profits dedicated to land conservation. This flexible funding can cover project management and implementation costs, fostering community-driven initiatives that celebrate Colorado's diverse landscapes and improve public engagement with the outdoors.

Colorado Energy Office

The Colorado Energy Office (CEO) develops programs and promotes energy policies to fight climate change, improve air quality, and save Coloradans money. CEO plays a central role in building an equitable, clean energy economy. We advance a clean energy agenda, provide funding and technical assistance, and ensure the benefits of the clean energy transition are shared statewide. 

Promoting equity and environmental justice in Colorado is the core of our work. We strive to ensure innovation in energy generation, the built environment, land use, and transportation benefits marginalized and disproportionately impacted communities across the state.

Charge Ahead Colorado Multifamily Housing Portfolio Grant

The Charge Ahead Colorado grant program supports electric vehicle (EV) adoption in Colorado by offering funding for EV charging to serve communities and EV drivers across the state. Charge Ahead Colorado offers State funding for community-based level 2 (L2) and direct current fast-charging (DCFC) EV charging stations with prioritized investments in disproportionately impacted communities and enhanced incentives for eligible qualifying entities. 

Projects must include at least three separate multifamily housing properties and may support Level 2 charging ports and charging outlets serving deeded, assigned, shared, guest, visitor, or resident parking. Direct Current Fast-Charging stations are not eligible. Income-qualified multifamily properties, including properties operated by housing authorities, are strongly encouraged to apply and may qualify for enhanced incentives.

Colorado Energy Office

The Colorado Energy Office (CEO) develops programs and promotes energy policies to fight climate change, improve air quality, and save Coloradans money. CEO plays a central role in building an equitable, clean energy economy. We advance a clean energy agenda, provide funding and technical assistance, and ensure the benefits of the clean energy transition are shared statewide. 

Promoting equity and environmental justice in Colorado is the core of our work. We strive to ensure innovation in energy generation, the built environment, land use, and transportation benefits marginalized and disproportionately impacted communities across the state.

Charge Ahead Colorado Standard Grant

The Charge Ahead Colorado grant program supports electric vehicle (EV) adoption in Colorado by offering funding for EV charging to serve communities and EV drivers across the state. Charge Ahead Colorado offers State funding for community-based level 2 (L2) and direct current fast-charging (DCFC) EV charging stations with prioritized investments in disproportionately impacted communities and enhanced incentives for eligible qualifying entities. 

The Standard application is intended for larger or more complex projects, including applications requesting more than $50,000, projects requesting more than six Level 2 ports or 24 charging outlets, and all projects involving DC fast chargers. Level 2 and outlet projects should generally become operational within 12 to 18 months, while projects containing DC fast chargers should be completed within 18 to 24 months.

Sangre de Cristo Electric Association Community Grants

Focus areas:

The GFF Capital Grants by the Gates Family Foundation support capital projects for nonprofit organizations in Colorado, emphasizing community needs and sustainable development. With a focus on enhancing public resources and addressing historical inequities, the foundation prioritizes projects that foster education, environmental protection, and community development. Eligible applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations, demonstrating strong community support and effective management. Capital grants are not given for general operating expenses, loans, or projects already completed.

The Colorado Shooting Range Grants provide essential funding to enhance shooting ranges across the state, with an estimated $750,000 available this year. This initiative, supported by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, aims to improve safety, accessibility, and overall experience for recreational shooters. Eligible applicants include local governments, shooting organizations, and educational groups. Projects focus on public benefit and must adhere to guidelines for environmental stewardship. This program fosters community engagement and promotes responsible outdoor recreation.

The Maki Foundation Grant Program, established in 1981, focuses on environmental protection in the western United States. Grants range from $1,000 to $5,000, aimed at organizations where modest support can create significant impact. Priorities include wilderness protection, river conservation, biological diversity, and public lands management. Eligible applicants must have 501(c)(3) status and operate within specific states. The foundation avoids funding large groups or projects involving community recreation facilities and wildlife rehabilitation.

The Colorado Forest Legacy Grant Program, administered by the Colorado State Forest Service, aims to protect vital private forest areas from conversion to non-forest uses. By focusing on conservation easements, the program promotes sustainable forestry practices and preserves significant ecological habitats. It encourages public and private partnerships to maintain forest integrity while allowing landowners to retain ownership. Priorities include reducing land fragmentation and safeguarding water quality, wildlife habitats, and unique ecological zones.

The Colorado Outdoor Equity Grant Program aims to enhance access to outdoor activities for traditionally underrepresented communities, including low-income families, LGBTQ+ individuals, and youth of color. This initiative supports projects that address barriers to outdoor recreation and environmental education. By promoting equitable access to Colorado's natural resources, the program seeks to foster community engagement and empower underserved populations. The funding, up to $100,000, is intended for organizations committed to transformative change in outdoor equity.

The Community Priorities Fund Grant, established by the Grand County Board of County Commissioners, aims to enhance the quality of life in Grand County, Colorado, through targeted support for childcare, housing, and local tourism. Funded by lodging tax revenue, it allocates at least 30% for community needs and 50% for tourism marketing. The BOCC's commitment ensures that 20% of the new tax revenue will directly support community priorities, fostering a sustainable and vibrant local economy for residents and visitors alike.

Monarch Mountain Impact Grant Program

The Chaffee County Community Foundation (CCCF) is proud to partner with Monarch Mountain for the new Impact Grant cycle. This funding supports projects that reflect Monarch Mountain's core values of environmental sustainability, recreation, humanitarian efforts and building a strong, supportive community.

Monarch Mountain Impact Grant process will award $15,000 to one or more applications for projects that align with Monarch Mountain’s core values of environmental sustainability, recreation, humanitarian, and fostering a supportive community across Chaffee County. Strong applications will clearly describe the needs being addressed, approach to addressing the needs, activities, outputs and outcomes of the project or program. Applicants can apply for an existing project or program, but should be able to clearly describe how the grant will increase the impact. Public/private partnerships are encouraged to apply, but the applicant must be a 501c3. 

• Applications that demonstrate the following factors will be most competitive: 
• Clearly defined activities that are meeting an identified community need
• Measurable outcomes, outputs, and impacts for proposed programs and projects
• Supporting data to help define the organization's impact and need
• Applications are encouraged to review the Application Questions and the Impact Grants Rubric prior to starting the application. 

The review committees will determine how many awards will be selected for each grant, but all applicants are eligible to request up to the maximum amount. 

The Wolcott Family Foundation focuses on funding grassroots organizations that drive social change and environmental stewardship. They prioritize support for projects that empower communities, strengthen civil liberties, and address ecological challenges. Eligible applicants are nonprofit organizations in Colorado classified under section 501(c)(3), with grants awarded for one year. The foundation values projects emphasizing environmental preservation and community involvement aimed at tackling societal issues.

The Wolcott Family Foundation (WOLFF) offers grants aimed at fostering social change and environmental stewardship, particularly for grassroots organizations in Colorado. By funding projects that empower communities, advocate for civil rights, and address ecological challenges, WOLFF believes in the transformative power of small grants. Their approach emphasizes sustainable practices and community engagement, ensuring that initiatives tackle root causes of societal issues. This foundation is dedicated to supporting organizations that can make a significant difference with limited resources.

The Laura Jane Musser Fund was established by the estate of Laura Jane Musser of Little Falls, Minnesota to continue the personal philanthropy, which she practiced in her lifetime.

Environmental Initiative Program

The Laura Jane Musser Fund assists public or not-for-profit entities to initiate or implement projects that enhance the ecological integrity of publicly owned open spaces, while encouraging compatible human activities. The Fund’s goal is to promote public use of open space that improves a community’s quality of life and public health, while also ensuring the protection of healthy, viable and sustainable ecosystems by protecting or restoring habitat for a diversity of plant and animal species.

Projects must..

• Focus on protecting/restoring a sustainable ecosystem that is a defined, public open space.
• Promote public access to and use of the defined open space.
• Involve active participation of local community members, with a particular appreciation for volunteer and youth engagement and stakeholder contributions.
• Contain measurable outcomes within the first 12-18 months.
• Include a plan for the long term financial and environmental sustainability of the proposed program.

Projects during any one grant period will be eligible for either:

• implementation grants or 
• planning grants

Environmental Initiative - Implementation Grant Program

Implementation grant applications must demonstrate clear evidence of local community active participation and support.

Projects will be eligible for either planning or implementation funds during any one grant period.

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is one of 16 cabinet-level departments whose executive director is appointed by the governor. Jill Hunsaker Ryan is the department’s executive director. The department serves Coloradans by providing public health and environmental protection services that promote healthy people in healthy places. Public health professionals use evidence-based practices in the public health and environmental fields to create the conditions in which residents can be healthy. In addition to maintaining and enhancing our core programs, the department continues to identify and respond to emerging issues affecting Colorado's public and environmental health.

Assistance Grants Program

The Assistance Grants Program is a state funded program that provides financial assistance for systems that need help reaching or exceeding compliance requirements or addressing a water quality challenge. This program primarily funds infrastructure projects and requires systems to address operational and administrative improvements, such as emergency response plans, main break response procedures, and storage tank inspection plans. 

Total funding is $150,000. The amount of individual grants varies per funding year.

Projects must be completed within the calendar year.

Applications must propose a discrete, stand-alone project.