Colorado Water Plan Grants
Colorado Water Plan Grants support local governments, nonprofits, and water entities with projects, research, planning, and outreach to advance Colorado’s water supply, conservation, and watershed priorities.
Funder: Colorado Water Conservation Board
Due Dates: December 1, 2026 (December cycle) | July 1, 2027 (July cycle)
Funding Amounts: $11.2 million remaining for December 2026 awards ($40.2 million total for 2026)
Summary: Supports projects, studies, planning, and outreach that implement the Colorado Water Plan’s water supply, conservation, agriculture, and watershed priorities.
Key Information: Minimum match is 50% of total project cost for construction and 25% for plans or studies.
Description
The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) administers this program to advance the Colorado Water Plan and its Partner Actions. Funding supports water storage and supply, collaborative water sharing, conservation and land use planning, agricultural efficiency, education and innovation, and watershed health and recreation. Eligible work includes permitting and environmental compliance assistance, feasibility studies, analysis of structural and programmatic water projects, design, and implementation.
The program favors innovative solutions, projects with multiple benefits and purposes, and collaboration among multiple stakeholders. Research can fit through agricultural research projects, water sharing research gaps, feasibility analysis, and evidence-based engagement or innovation. Infrastructure replacement or maintenance without additional benefits is better suited to CWCB’s Loan Program or Water Supply Reserve Fund. Applications compete based on available funding within their Water Plan category.
