Best Water Grants in Colorado

Operators of existing water diversion, delivery, or storage facilities in Colorado can seek funding to mitigate environmental impacts through the Fish and Wildlife Resources Fund. Administered by the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, this program supports water rights appropriations, river restoration feasibility and construction projects, and combined approaches that protect fish, wildlife, and riparian ecosystems.

Colorado nonprofits and other organizations working on land and water conservation, K-12 education, community development, or civic news can explore Gates Family Foundation’s strategic grantmaking. Funding supports multi-year, goal-driven initiatives in areas like balanced water management, forest health, watershed restoration, and landscape conservation, and may benefit water-focused projects that align with the foundation’s priorities.

Agricultural operators, land managers, agencies, organizations, and individuals in Colorado can seek support for projects that reduce conflicts between livestock and big game while improving habitat and migration corridors. With a mission to address wildlife conflicts, Colorado Parks & Wildlife provides funding for fence improvements, habitat restoration, water development, conservation easements, emergency conflict response, and related research, requiring at least a 50% cash match and local HPP committee backing.

Colorado nonprofits serving marginalized adults aged 50+ facing unbudgeted, time-sensitive crises can receive one-time support for urgent expenses through the Sudden & Urgent Need (SUN) Grant, up to US $30,000. Next50 Foundation prioritizes small organizations improving older adults’ economic well-being and aligning with priorities like ending ageism, advancing digital equity, and supporting aging in place.

Wild and Scenic Rivers Fund

In 2009, the Colorado General Assembly created the Wild and Scenic Rivers Fund to foster cooperative and collaborative processes aimed at the development of protections for river-dependent outstandingly remarkable values (“ORVs”). These protections would be intended as an alternative to wild and scenic river designation under the federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, while also protecting Colorado’s ability to fully use its compact and decree entitlements.

The Colorado General Assembly established the Colorado Water Conservation Board’s (CWCB’s) Wild and Scenic Rivers Fund (“the Fund”) in 20091. The legislature:

• Provided that the Fund would be refreshed annually up to $400,000;
• Stated that the Fund should be used to “work with stakeholders within the state of Colorado to develop protection of riverdependent resources as an alternative to wild and scenic river designation under the federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Act”; and,
• Provided that the Board may adopt terms and conditions here called “guidelines” for fund disbursements.

The Fund is used for two primary purposes: 

• To support local resource protection groups (“stakeholder groups”) that form to develop protection of river-dependent resources as an alternative to wild and scenic river designation under the federal Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, exploring different approaches that will most benefit the resource and the community, and 
• For CWCB Staff operational expenses related to participation in such stakeholder groups.

These guidelines are designed to assure that the Fund is used to support the efforts of these various stakeholder groups in an equitable and efficient manner. It is the goal of the CWCB to ensure wise and effective use of monies from the Fund. The CWCB strongly encourages the use of this Fund for projects that result in the compilation of the best available data at the earliest stages of the federal agencies’ plan revisions and processes to evaluate streams and rivers for eligibility and suitability for Wild and Scenic designation. Colorado's Instream Flow Program offers a means to protect flow-related Outstandingly Remarkable Values (ORVs) without a Wild and Scenic designation; thus, stakeholder groups are encouraged to consider instream flows as a primary tool in the effort to protect such ORVs

USDA: Natural Resources Conservation Service of Colorado provides Colorado agricultural producers, non-industrial private forest landowners, and Tribes with financial and technical assistance to enhance conservation on working lands. Through the Conservation Stewardship Program, participants can improve water resource management, soil health, grazing conditions, and wildlife habitat via customized five-year conservation contracts and annual stewardship payments.

Agricultural producers, ranchers, Tribes, and private forest landowners in Colorado can apply for USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service of Colorado’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program to implement conservation practices on working lands. Funding supports water quality and quantity improvements, irrigation efficiency, grazing management, soil health, and wildlife habitat projects that benefit freshwater and broader water resource management.

Governmental and private water users in Colorado can receive funding to address critical water supply issues, including studies, project design, infrastructure work, and education activities. Grants from Colorado Department of Natural Resources help water resource management efforts that have basin roundtable approval and support the goals of the Colorado Water Plan.

With a mission to conserve and manage water resources, Colorado Department of Natural Resources provides Colorado water-focused organizations and agencies with funding for storage and supply, water sharing, conservation and land use planning, and innovation projects. Eligible projects include technical assistance, feasibility studies, structural design, and watershed health, recreation, and agricultural water initiatives advancing the Colorado Water Plan.

The Public Education, Participation, and Outreach Grant Program, initiated by the Colorado Water Conservation Board, supports education and outreach initiatives for water conservation. This grant enables coordinators to work closely with basin roundtables, facilitating community engagement on water issues. With funding up to $25,000, the program aims to enhance public awareness and education about water resources, ensuring sustainable management for future generations. Eligible entities include governments and individuals, fostering collaboration across Colorado's nine river basins.

Colorado organizations leading statewide or multi-basin water education and outreach initiatives in Colorado can seek funding to advance public awareness and participation around water issues. The Colorado Department of Natural Resources’ Colorado Water Conservation Board supports projects like statewide campaigns, awareness surveys, and other education efforts that demonstrate multi-basin support and align with CWCB priorities.

Governmental entities and private organizations in Colorado can use this program to fund water resource management activities, including technical assistance, feasibility studies, project design, and infrastructure replacement or maintenance. Colorado Department of Natural Resources provides support for a broad range of water supply projects that may also include education, outreach, and innovation aligned with the Colorado Water Plan.

Local and county governments, park and recreation and open space departments, water districts, landowners, and conservation nonprofits in Colorado can apply for Colorado Parks & Wildlife’s Fishing Is Fun grants, offering up to US $700,000 for sportfishing access and habitat projects. Funding supports freshwater conservation, angler access, and site or boat facility improvements that enhance public fishing opportunities.

Nonprofits and community organizations working on freshwater conservation and related environmental initiatives in Colorado can access funding through the Jacob and Terese Hershey Foundation. Grants may support projects that protect and steward land and water resources, address environmental justice, enhance parks and open space, or advance environmental literacy and animal care within the foundation’s Colorado focus counties.

Public agencies and 501(c)(3) or other nonprofit organizations preserving traditional cultures and historic sites in Colorado can seek US $2,500 - US $10,000 for planning, capacity building, and urgent intervention projects. The National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Southwest Intervention Fund supports activities like archaeological surveys, legal protection, public workshops, and stabilization of threatened cultural resources.

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.

Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, school districts, and special districts in Colorado serving Adams County residents can apply for Adams County Foundation’s Community Enrichment Grant to support basic needs and food security programs. Funding supports direct services like safety-net assistance, essential goods, and food distribution projects that improve health, well-being, and self-sufficiency.

Agricultural Emergency Drought Response Program

The Program provides up to $1 million annually, in the form of loans or grants, for emergency drought-related water augmentation purposes to Colorado’s agricultural water users.

The Program provides grant funds primarily for the cost of the Emergency Augmentation water but also can provide for engineering, attorney fees and other water acquisition administrative costs, not to exceed 5% of the grant amount. If the source of Emergency Augmentation water is through supplemental groundwater pumping the additional operational costs of pumping are eligible for funding through the Program. The Program does not provide grants for general operational expenses, maintenance or rehabilitation of facilities, or research projects. The Program does not provide funding for any anticipated costs associated with Emergency Augmentation, only for verified costs incurred during a previous irrigation season.

Colorado private forest landowners and land conservation partners can seek funding to place conservation easements that protect forests, water resources, and wildlife habitat through the Colorado Forest Legacy Program. Focused on conserving environmentally important private forestlands, the program, administered by Colorado State Forest Service and USDA Forest Service, helps prevent development-driven fragmentation while maintaining traditional forest uses.

Colorado nonprofits and government entities planning regional conservation and outdoor recreation coalitions in Colorado can seek $50,000 - $150,000 to build capacity, vision, and governance. Colorado Parks & Wildlife and Great Outdoors Colorado support efforts like regional planning, assessments, mapping, outreach, and engagement, which may benefit water resource and freshwater conservation initiatives.

Colorado nonprofit organizations and government entities in Colorado working on conservation, outdoor recreation, and wildlife can receive US $50,000 - US $350,000 to build capacity, develop regional plans, and launch early-win projects. Colorado Parks & Wildlife and Great Outdoors Colorado fund collaboratives that advance regional conservation, sustainable recreation, and ecosystem health, which may include water and watershed priorities.

Nonprofit organizations and government entities in Colorado can apply for Colorado Parks & Wildlife’s Partners in the Outdoors grants, awarding up to US $10,000 for collaborative outdoor recreation and conservation projects. Initiatives that advance sustainable access, stewardship, land, water and wildlife conservation, and long-term funding for these efforts may be eligible.

Colorado water-focused public and private entities planning large-scale supply, conservation, or river restoration projects can access funding through Colorado Department of Natural Resources’ Projects Bill Grants. These statewide investments support freshwater conservation, water resource management, and fish conservation projects or studies of statewide importance in Colorado, typically requiring matching funds and legislative approval.

Nonprofit organizations in Colorado working on conservation, outdoor recreation, or environmental initiatives can access funding through the CORE Fund to support high-impact programs and projects. Western Colorado Community Foundation backs efforts such as outdoor education, river flow protection, and air quality and carbon reduction benefiting western Colorado communities.

Rural public bodies, nonprofit organizations, and federally recognized tribes in Colorado can access funding to address emergencies threatening safe drinking water supplies. Grants from USDA Rural Development help eligible communities construct or repair water transmission lines and develop new water sources, intakes, or treatment facilities, with awards up to US $1,000,000 for qualifying rural areas.

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.

U.S. 501(c)(3) nonprofits and eligible schools with environmental programs in Colorado and other Honda communities can receive $25,000 - $100,000 for decarbonization, clean energy, and efficient resource use projects. American Honda Motor and the Honda USA Foundation fund initiatives like energy efficiency upgrades, solar or wind installations, recycling, composting, and other sustainability efforts that benefit their associate communities.