Land Acquisition Program

The Land Acquisition program by Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) aims to support the conservation of Colorado’s urban and rural landscapes, waterways, and habitats, enhancing both ecological preservation and public access to outdoor spaces. The program underpins GOCO's mission to safeguard vital natural areas and ensure that residents and visitors can experience the state's diverse outdoor offerings. GOCO has a significant track record of success, having helped conserve more than 1.4 million acres, and remains committed to expanding its impact through strategic investments in land protection. The grant supports projects focused on passive public recreation, wildlife habitats and migration corridors, critical watersheds and riparian zones, scenic greenways and open spaces, particularly those benefiting communities that are disproportionately impacted by environmental and access inequities. Eligible projects must involve fee-simple land acquisitions that provide public access, although conservation easements may also be considered when tax credits are insufficient or impractical. Eligible applicants include Colorado cities, towns, counties, Title 32 special districts, and political subdivisions of the state that are responsible for open space or natural area management or acquisition. Land conservation organizations dedicated to acquiring open space and Colorado Parks and Wildlife are also eligible. This inclusive list ensures a wide range of qualified entities can pursue land acquisition to further conservation and public engagement goals. Grants typically offer funding up to $3 million per project. In special cases, when funding allows, GOCO is open to supporting high-impact projects that may require a larger financial investment. Additionally, GOCO provides loans and reimbursement options to aid with acquisitions, increasing flexibility for grantees with varying financial strategies. The application process includes two annual cycles. For the first cycle, concept papers are due by July 24, 2025, with applications invited on August 8 and due by September 11, 2025. Awards will be announced on December 12, 2025. The second cycle begins with concept papers due on January 15, 2026, applications invited on January 30, and full applications due by March 5, 2026. Awards for this cycle are expected in June 2026. Notably, GOCO also accepts urgent acquisition proposals on a rolling basis outside these timelines, provided applicants promptly contact their regional officer. Applicants are encouraged to consult available resources, such as guidance documents and examples of successful projects, to develop competitive proposals. For direct support, they can contact their designated regional officer. Additional tools like the Resilient Land Mapping Tool and Colorado EnviroScreen are available to strengthen application narratives and align proposals with statewide conservation priorities.