Wetlands for Wildlife Grants
Forecasted
Wetlands for Wildlife Grants support governments, tribes, conservation nonprofits, and companies in restoring Colorado wetlands and riparian areas to benefit wildlife and public waterfowl hunting.
Funder: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Due Dates (Anticipated): February 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Approximately $1,241,000 available in the 2025–2026 cycle; no minimum or maximum award; requests below $25,000 discouraged
Summary: Supports wetland and riparian restoration, enhancement, and creation benefiting ducks, public waterfowl hunting, and declining or at-risk wildlife.
Key Information: Private landowners cannot apply directly, but governments and nongovernmental organizations may manage projects on private lands.
Description
Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) administers Wetlands for Wildlife as a voluntary, collaborative, incentive-based program to restore, enhance, and create wetlands and riparian areas in Colorado. Its two primary goals are to improve duck distribution and abundance and public waterfowl hunting opportunities, and to address the habitat needs of declining or at-risk species. Waterfowl priorities include fall and winter habitat on publicly hunted properties, associated refuge areas, and breeding habitat in important production areas such as North Park and the San Luis Valley.
Support covers on-the-ground habitat work, planning, engineering, design, feasibility studies, monitoring, and evaluation. Habitat modifications supporting beaver recolonization or reducing property damage are also eligible. CPW favors long-term improvements designed to last at least 10 years without major renovations or further program funding.
