Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Grants
The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Grants from Colorado Parks and Wildlife support science-based urban parkland acquisition, development, and ecological enhancement projects.
Funder: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Due Dates: September 18, 2026 (ORLP Full Applications Due) | November 1, 2026 (ORLP Federal Applications Due / Annual Deadline) | November 1, 2030 (Current Closing Date)
Funding Amounts: $300,000–$15,000,000 per award; approximately $85 million total program funding; 1:1 non-federal match required.
Summary: Supports acquisition and development of parkland and outdoor recreation facilities in urban communities through a nationally competitive grant program.
Key Information: Projects must be in urban areas (population ≥25,000) and meet perpetual public recreation requirements.
Description
The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program, managed in Colorado by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and nationally by the National Park Service (NPS), provides competitive federal grants to support the acquisition of new parkland and the development or renovation of outdoor recreation facilities in urban communities. The program is part of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and specifically targets Census-designated urban areas with populations of at least 25,000, with a strong emphasis on expanding equitable park access, addressing community needs, fostering partnerships, and promoting conservation and ecological benefits. Projects must align with both state and federal outdoor recreation priorities and are expected to provide long-term public benefit.
