South Fork Focus Zone Irrigated Acreage Retirement Program
Supports permanent retirement of irrigated acres in Colorado's South Fork Focus Zone to help meet interstate water obligations and promote sustainable water use.
Funder: Colorado Water Conservation Board
Due Dates: Rolling (until funds are obligated) | Final deadline: December 31, 2029
Funding Amounts: $750 per irrigated acre retired; total available funding is $6,000,000.
Summary: Supports voluntary, permanent retirement of irrigated acreage in Colorado’s South Fork Focus Zone to meet interstate water obligations.
Key Information: Applicants must own land in the South Fork Focus Zone, participate in a base program, and obtain a positive recommendation from the Republican River Water Conservation District.
Description
The South Fork Focus Zone Irrigated Acreage Retirement Program is a grant initiative by the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) designed to help Colorado fulfill its obligation to retire 25,000 irrigated acres in the South Fork Focus Zone of the Republican River Basin by the end of 2029. The program incentivizes eligible landowners to permanently retire irrigated acreage within this designated area, supporting sustainable water use and ensuring compliance with a 2016 interstate agreement with Kansas and Nebraska. Grants are awarded as a one-time payment of $750 per irrigated acre retired, supplementing participation in existing federal or district conservation programs.
