Supplemental Environmental Projects
Supplemental Environmental Projects support organizations and regulated entities in funding pollution prevention, restoration, education, and health projects to benefit communities affected by violations.
Funder: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Due Dates: Project ideas accepted for future enforcement-settlement consideration
Funding Amounts: Settlement-funded projects; selection and funding are not guaranteed
Summary: Supports projects delivering measurable environmental or public health benefits in communities affected by environmental violations.
Key Information: Third-party recipients must be governmental entities, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, or community organizations with a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor.
Description
Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs) connect Colorado environmental enforcement settlements with projects that benefit the environment or public health. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) approves projects through which regulated entities may offset part of an enforcement penalty. Participation is voluntary, and benefits must extend beyond actions already planned or legally required.
Projects may prevent or reduce pollution, restore the environment, provide environmental education, or improve public health and safety. They must create measurable benefits in the area affected by the violation, but need not address the same environmental medium: an air violation settlement could support water-quality improvements. CDPHE favors health equity, environmental justice, climate benefits, pollution prevention, and projects developed with affected communities.
