Supplemental Environmental Projects
The Supplemental Environmental Projects program funds science-driven projects that improve environmental and public health in Colorado communities impacted by violations, administered by Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Funder: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Due Dates: Rolling (Ideas accepted year-round; projects considered as enforcement actions arise)
Funding Amounts: No fixed minimum or maximum; typical project budgets vary and are determined by available penalty funds—third-party SEPs generally use a 1:1 mitigation ratio.
Summary: Supports voluntary projects by governments and nonprofits that deliver measurable environmental or public health benefits in Colorado communities affected by enforcement actions.
Key Information: Only governmental entities and 501(c)(3) nonprofits are eligible to receive SEP funds.
Description
The Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEP) program, administered by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), funds projects that provide tangible, measurable benefits to the environment or public health in Colorado communities impacted by environmental violations. These projects are supported through funds from enforcement settlements and are designed to go beyond what is legally required for compliance. SEPs must align with departmental goals, especially in areas of health equity, environmental justice, climate change, and pollution prevention, and are intended to address the needs of disproportionately impacted communities.
