FY25 IIJA/IRA Bureau of Land Management Colorado Recreation and Visitor Services

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has announced a funding opportunity for fiscal year 2025 under its Colorado Recreation and Visitor Services Program. This initiative seeks to enhance public land recreation while advancing federal priorities such as environmental justice, climate resiliency, and equitable access to outdoor activities. The program supports projects that connect with youth, tribal communities, and underserved populations, emphasizing sustainable recreation and public lands stewardship. A total of $950,000 is available, with individual awards ranging from $5,000 to $950,000. Up to six awards are expected. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city governments; federally and non-federally recognized tribal organizations; public and private educational institutions; and nonprofits. For-profit organizations and individuals are not eligible. Cost-sharing is not required but can strengthen proposals during evaluation. Proposed projects should align with the program's goals, including improving accessibility for persons with disabilities, expanding recreational opportunities, enhancing public satisfaction at recreation sites, and supporting partnerships in tourism, marketing, and conservation. Activities may also include visitor data collection, trail maintenance, and initiatives to elevate indigenous voices through tribal partnerships. Projects must demonstrate a public benefit and compliance with federal environmental policies. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by February 3, 2025. Required documents include a project narrative, budget narrative, and federal forms (e.g., SF-424). The project narrative should describe objectives, methods, a timetable, and how the project will meet BLM’s priorities. Indirect costs are limited to 17.5% for Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit (CESU) partnerships. Registration in SAM.gov is mandatory for all applicants. Proposals will be evaluated based on their alignment with program goals, technical merit, public benefit, and applicant qualifications. Key criteria include the feasibility of the technical approach, anticipated accomplishments, stakeholder engagement, and the experience of personnel. Budget feasibility and leveraging of resources may serve as tiebreakers. Final awards will be contingent on risk assessments and alignment with departmental priorities. Recipients will be responsible for submitting financial and program performance reports. Federal funding for infrastructure projects under this program must comply with Buy America requirements. Additional support and clarifications can be obtained by contacting the BLM representative listed in the announcement.