Conservation Grants and Funding

Direct Assistance to Districts

These funds authorized by the State Legislature were awarded through a competitive grant process. Districts use the funds for board member mileage and expenses, secretarial and technical assistance, office expense, and district elections. Funding is based on Annual Plan of Work and tracking of progress.

Upper Colorado River Salinity Control Program

By improving the efficiency of irrigation systems in 5 Conservation Districts eligible (Bookcliff, Delta, Dolores, Mancos, Mesa, and Shavano), landowners can reduce the amount of salts entering the Colorado River. This benefits water users in the Lower Colorado River Basin States and Mexico.

Colorado River Salinity Control Program

District Conservation Technician Program (Farm Bill)

The funds enable districts to hire technicians to provide technical assistance to Colorado's landowners for conservation planning and practice implementation to protect natural resources. The Program is a partnership between the Conservation Districts (CDs), the Colorado State Conservation Board (CSCB) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Funding is provided 45% by NRCS, 27.5% by the CSCB and 27.5% by the conservation districts.

District Conservation Technician Program

Natural Resources Conservation Matching Grants

Provides funds for conservation districts to address on-the-ground conservation problems identified at the local level. Funds are appropriated annually through the Colorado State legislature and districts apply through the Colorado State Conservation Board (CSCB) to fund an important conservation project or program in their community. The district must provide a dollar-for-dollar match from local, private or federal cash or in-kind sources for program awards.

Matching Grant Program

2013 Weed management RFP

• 2013 Weed Fund RFP instructions and guidelines
• 2013 Weed Fund Application  - this is a fillable PDF form that you can save; should you have any questions or problems with this form please contact the Noxious Weed Program.
• 2013 List B Pilot Project Application                           
• 2013 Budget Form
• 2013 In-Kind itemization worksheet

Application Deadline was February 22, 2013 at 5:00 p.m.
 

2013 State & Private Forestry RFP

• 2013 State and Private Forestry RFP instructions and guidelines
• 2013 State and Private Forestry Application - this is a fillable PDF form that you can save; should you have any questions or problems with this form please contact the Noxious Weed Program.
• 2013 SPF Budget Form
• 2013 SPF In-Kind Itemization Worksheet

Application Deadline was February 22, 2013 at 5:00 p.m.
 

Colorado Noxious Weed Management Fund

Overview

In 1997, the Colorado Legislature established the Colorado Noxious Weed Management Fund to provide additional financial resources to communities, weed control districts, or other entities engaged in cooperative efforts to manage noxious weeds. Organized private interests as well as public agencies and local governments were eligible to apply for assistance provided that awarded funds were used to enhance weed management efforts within the State of Colorado. Over the five years that funding was available, the Colorado Department of Agriculture disbursed $1,255,000 for noxious weed management, education, and mapping. On average, every dollar of the State's investment was matched by more than five dollars of private, local, other state, and federal resources. Awards were made on a competitive basis and recommended by a committee of seven individuals representing the perspectives and experiences of professionals and elected officials in weed science, state weed management, Colorado government, public natural resource management, agriculture, local weed management, and the environment.

Other Funding Opportunities

There are several dedicated funds that annually solicit funding proposals related to weed management. Please check the pertinent websites for additional information.

• The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation - Pulling Together Initiative
• The Colorado State Soil Conservation Board
• Natural Resources Conservation Services - Environmental Quality Incentives Program funding
• Colorado Parks and Wildlife Habitat Partnership Program (HPP) offers grants for large scale habitat improvement.