Colorado Grants

This program provides funding to support education and outreach initiatives that raise public awareness of water issues in Colorado, targeting local basin coordinators and broader statewide projects.

The PEPO Statewide Initiatives Grant focuses on funding education and outreach initiatives that have a statewide or multi-basin impact in Colorado. Part of the Public Education, Participation, and Outreach (PEPO) Grant Program established in 2022, this category supports efforts such as developing new statewide education campaigns, conducting statewide water awareness surveys, and creating education materials to bolster public awareness on water issues. These initiatives must demonstrate support across multiple basins and align with priorities of the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB), guided by the Colorado Water Plan. This grant category underlines the importance of collaborative efforts in advancing water education and outreach across the state. Grant renewed every year. Grant Summer annual deadline: June 1st

The Public Education, Participation, and Outreach (PEPO) Grant Program, established in 2022, provides funding for statewide education and outreach initiatives and supports individual coordinators for each of Colorado's basin roundtables. The program aims to enhance public awareness of water issues in line with the Colorado Water Plan and respective Basin Implementation Plans. Grants are available in two categories: funding up to $25,000 for Basin Coordinators to manage education and outreach within their basin, and Statewide Initiatives grants for broader educational projects. Applications require approval from one of the nine basin roundtables and must be submitted through the CWCB Portal. The program supports a wide range of activities, including developing water education campaigns, conducting water awareness surveys, and facilitating statewide or multi-basin outreach efforts. Grant renewed every year. Grant Summer annual deadline: June 1st

This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects that protect and restore fish and wildlife resources affected by water management activities in Colorado.

This program provides funding to local governments, tribal entities, and nonprofits in Colorado to implement projects that reduce flood and erosion risks following wildfires.

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 Advanced Industries Early-Stage Capital and Retention Grant aims to support Colorado-based advanced industries technology businesses in developing and commercializing new technologies that will be created or manufactured in the state. The grant addresses the market's underinvestment in early-stage technologies by offering financial support of up to $250,000, with the possibility of exceeding this amount for projects impacting multiple advanced industries. Eligible businesses must be involved in creating disruptive technology, be registered and in good standing with the Colorado Secretary of State, have a significant presence in Colorado, provide a 2-to-1 non-State funding match, and have limited prior financial support and revenues. Preference is given to applicants with ties to Colorado research institutions, entrepreneurship programs, and those recognized by investment groups for their commercial potential. Applications are accepted biannually. Grant renewed every year. Grant Winter Annual deadline: January to March

The Advanced Industries Early-Stage Capital and Retention Grant aims to support Colorado-based advanced industries technology businesses in developing and commercializing new technologies that will be created or manufactured in the state. The grant addresses the market's underinvestment in early-stage technologies by offering financial support of up to $250,000, with the possibility of exceeding this amount for projects impacting multiple advanced industries. Eligible businesses must be involved in creating disruptive technology, be registered and in good standing with the Colorado Secretary of State, have a significant presence in Colorado, provide a 2-to-1 non-State funding match, and have limited prior financial support and revenues. Preference is given to applicants with ties to Colorado research institutions, entrepreneurship programs, and those recognized by investment groups for their commercial potential. Applications are accepted biannually Grant renewed every year. Grant Summer Annual deadline: July to September

The Advanced Industries Proof of Concept Grant is designed to accelerate the commercialization of products and services in Colorado's advanced industries by providing up to $150,000 in funding. Targeting Colorado research institutions, the grant facilitates applied research and commercialization in collaboration with the private sector. Eligible projects must focus on precommercial research and preparation, including proof of principle, IP protection, prototypes, market assessment, and start-up formation. Priority is given to joint proposals, projects affecting multiple advanced industries, and those with Colorado-based advanced industry business sponsorship. The next application period opens on July 1, 2024. Grant renewed every year. Grant Summer Annual deadline: July to September

The Advanced Industries Proof of Concept Grant is designed to accelerate the commercialization of products and services in Colorado's advanced industries by providing up to $150,000 in funding. Targeting Colorado research institutions, the grant facilitates applied research and commercialization in collaboration with the private sector. Eligible projects must focus on precommercial research and preparation, including proof of principle, IP protection, prototypes, market assessment, and start-up formation. Priority is given to joint proposals, projects affecting multiple advanced industries, and those with Colorado-based advanced industry business sponsorship. Grant renewed every year. Grant Summer Annual deadline: July to September

The Advanced Industries Proof of Concept Grant is designed to accelerate the commercialization of products and services in Colorado's advanced industries by providing up to $150,000 in funding. Targeting Colorado research institutions, the grant facilitates applied research and commercialization in collaboration with the private sector. Eligible projects must focus on precommercial research and preparation, including proof of principle, IP protection, prototypes, market assessment, and start-up formation. Priority is given to joint proposals, projects affecting multiple advanced industries, and those with Colorado-based advanced industry business sponsorship. Grant renewed every year. Grant Summer Annual deadline: January To March

This program provides financial support to Colorado schools and local educational agencies that are struggling academically, helping them develop and implement improvement plans to enhance student performance.

This program provides financial assistance to local governments in Colorado to address the community impacts of limited stakes gaming by funding public facilities and services.

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 funding opportunity supports small nonprofit organizations in Colorado with budgets of $1 million or less that are addressing urgent needs for older adults, particularly in the areas of combating ageism, promoting digital equity, and facilitating aging in place, while prioritizing equity for marginalized communities.

This program provides financial assistance to urban and rural emergency medical services and trauma organizations in Colorado for training and education to improve their emergency response capabilities.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to organizations in Colorado that focus on early childhood education and development, as well as teen pregnancy prevention, particularly in rural communities.

The Gates Family Foundation offers capital grants for projects that transform nonprofit and community organizations' ability to serve Colorado communities. These grants are aimed at supporting land, facilities, and civic infrastructure projects across Colorado, focusing on both rural and urban areas. The foundation prioritizes projects that address root problems with substantive solutions, exhibit community involvement, support rural and low-income areas, serve communities of color, and align with the foundation's strategic priorities in education, natural resources, community development, and informed communities. Grant renewed every year. Annual deadline: September 1st