DENVER — Today, Governor Polis, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), and Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) announced 19 grant awards totaling $9,990,240 through the Regional Partnerships Initiative (RPI). These investments support regional coalitions working together to advance outdoor recreation, conservation, and climate resilience goals aligned with Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy.
In April 2025, CPW and GOCO committed $50 million to the RPI grant program over the next five years to support the Strategy’s on-the-ground implementation. These grant awards are the first of five annual implementation-focused award cycles to come.
Regional partnerships supported this round are leading significant efforts for Colorado’s diverse recreation opportunities, wildlife, natural resources, and agriculture, such as:
- Trail upgrades and restoration of sensitive habitat on iconic 'fourteeners' (mountains over 14,000 feet), led by Outside 285
- New and improved trail segments on the envisioned 63-mile trail around Pikes Peak, and care for critical bighorn sheep habitat, led by Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance
- A major land conservation effort to protect 18,000 acres of productive ranchland, wildlife habitat, and water resources in the Colorado River watershed, led by Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust
- Implementing solutions (like highway crossings and gates) in the Gunnison Valley and on the Western Slope that support wildlife movement, agricultural production, and safe and enjoyable recreation, led by the Gunnison Sustainable Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Committee and West Slope Outdoors Alliance, and much more
“Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy and the Regional Partnerships Initiative demonstrate what is possible when conservation, recreation, and agricultural interests join with local governments and land managers to serve Colorado’s outdoors,” said Governor Jared Polis. “With strategic investments into Colorado’s outdoor economy and land conservation efforts, signature projects like Pikes Peak Exceptionalism, large-scale land protection conserving some of the State’s best wildlife habitat, and the Indian Creek Trail are getting the resources needed to be successful.”
“The Department of Natural Resources is proud to be part of the Regional Partnerships Initiative,” said DNR Executive Director Dan Gibbs. “Balancing outdoor recreation and our wildlife, water and lands is critically important as we face population growth and impacts from climate change. Our Colorado’s Outdoor Strategy and these grants go hand in hand in our comprehensive and collaborative efforts to advance the on-the-ground actions needed to realize our goals for exceptional outdoor recreation, climate-resilient conservation, and coordinated planning and funding.”
“This grant round reflects an evolution in Colorado’s Outdoors Regional Partnerships Initiative,” said CPW Acting Director Laura Clellan. “We are moving from planning to implementation, investing in projects that deliver meaningful conservation, responsible recreation management, and climate resilience across Colorado. These experiences represent what Coloradans value most about their outdoors.”
“This is a big moment for Colorado’s outdoors and for the communities that have poured so much time and effort into this work,” said GOCO Executive Director Jackie Miller. “Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy gave us a shared vision; these RPI grants turn that vision into action by conserving working lands, restoring trails and habitat, and building the local capacity needed to deliver. When community coalitions join together like this, doors open for landscape-scale conservation and high-quality outdoor recreation.”
To learn more about the Regional Partnerships and see a map of their locations, visit CPW’s RPI webpage.
2025 Regional Partnerships Initiative Funding Recipients
$2,500,000 to Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust & Eagle County Regional Partnership
Funding will support a rare, high-impact land conservation opportunity, through a proposed conservation easement that could protect nearly 18,000 acres of intact working mountain ranchland in the Colorado River watershed. The property includes significant wildlife habitat, important water rights, and high climate resilience value. The transaction is anticipated to close in June 2026, and CPW and GOCO will continue working closely with the Regional Partnership and land trust partner.
$182,900 to Eastern Colorado Grassland Coalition (ECGC)
The ECGC, launched in 2024, is dedicated to conserving and enhancing the native grasslands, croplands, and communities of eastern Colorado through collaborative community-driven conservation, sustainable land management, and responsible recreation. ECGC is continuing to build its regional recreation and conservation plan. With this funding, they will conduct outreach and engage community members through workshops and a community survey, refine the coalition’s website, and develop social media profiles. Funding will also support a wildlife habitat enhancement project with community partners.
$175,000 to Grand Places 2050
The Grand Places 2050 coalition is taking a phased approach to developing a strategic action plan for Grand County, starting with a review of existing plans and stakeholder outreach to define the coalition’s vision, goals, and strategies, then refining objectives and creating mapping tools to support decision-making. Funding will also support the Stewardship Ambassador program, which staffs busy trailheads in the region to educate visitors about wildlife safety, Leave No Trace principles, and related topics. Headwaters Trails Alliance manages the Stewardship Ambassador program in partnership with the Forest Service and the local chamber of commerce, and it has reached more than 100,000 visitors to date.
$225,000 to Gunnison County Sustainable Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Committee (Gunnison STOR)
Funding will help Gunnison STOR Committee complete a regional conservation and recreation plan. The planning process will emphasize coordinating and consolidating existing efforts that have gone through community planning processes while also engaging additional key stakeholders. Partners will conduct wildlife crossing planning in coordination with the Colorado Department of Transportation to improve landscape connectivity and reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions. Funding will also support seasonal public lands stewardship and ranger capacity, and help install agricultural gates to reduce conflicts between recreation and ranching.
$159,600 to Metro Denver Nature Alliance (Metro DNA)
Funding will help Metro DNA strengthen its coalition, deepen community engagement, and complete its Regional Vision for People and Nature. The grant will support administrative needs, marketing, committee stipends, and events that advance conservation and equitable outdoor recreation in Metro Denver. Once finished, the vision will guide a more coordinated, cohesive approach to environmental initiatives across the Metro Denver area.
$300,000 to Montelores Coalition
The Montelores Coalition, covering Montezuma and Dolores counties, is working to sustain and grow its capacity and to finalize a regional recreation and conservation plan. The plan will guide efforts to provide high-quality outdoor recreation while also protecting healthy ecosystems, cultural heritage, wildlife, clean water, and scenic landscapes. It aims to balance new recreation opportunities with working agricultural lands and open spaces, safeguard important wildlife habitat and natural resources, and support economic development in the region. Funding will also launch a pilot conservation and recreation strike team focused on removing or modifying fencing, controlling noxious weeds, and maintaining trails and sites to improve wildlife habitat, visitor safety, and the overall experience on public lands.
$560,000 to NoCo Places
NoCo Places is a partnership of nine public land agencies in the northern Front Range, formed in 2018 to address rising visitation and promote sustainable recreation, equitable access, and conservation. The NoCo Places Conservation and Recreation Vision, finalized in May 2024, lays out key strategic actions for the region. Grant funding will support staff capacity and one year of a program that will begin to assess 345 miles of user-created trails to determine whether they should be restored, closed, monitored, or added to the formal trail system. This landscape-scale work aims to reduce habitat fragmentation, protect wildlife corridors, and improve recreation experiences while fostering a culture of responsible outdoor use.
$150,000 to Northeast Colorado Regional Partnership (NECORP)
NECORP is a new regional partnership convened to help connect rural communities in Weld, Morgan, Washington, Logan, Yuma, Phillips, and Sedgwick counties, fostering collaboration across this broad geographic area. This region is known for its agricultural heritage, vast grasslands, and key role in Colorado’s economy. Funding will support formalizing the coalition by providing resources for facilitation, cross-county outreach and engagement, and the development of a governance structure and charter.
$130,000 to Northwest Colorado Outdoors (NWCO)
NWCO works to strengthen regional collaboration, finalize a shared vision for outdoor planning, and increase capacity and visibility in Moffat and Rio Blanco Counties. Funding will support facilitation, outreach, and technical experts to create a regional plan that benefits communities, honors local cultural heritage, and promotes sustainable wildlife and recreation management. The grant will also support the development of an Outdoor Asset Map. This public GIS-based tool will combine ecological, recreation, and working lands data to guide transparent decisions about planning and project selection.
$1,610,825 to Outside 285
Outside 285 encompasses the foothills region southwest of Denver within portions of several counties that serve as the beloved rural “backyard” for the metro area. Funds will restore sensitive wildlife habitat and improve visitor experience in the Indian Creek trail system by eliminating social trails, constructing new routes, and developing signage and wayfinding in the area. Awarded funds will also advance work near several 14ers in the Mosquito Range west of Fairplay, protecting critical wildlife habitat and water resources while improving trails and recreational access. A project centered at Mount Silverheels will protect bighorn sheep habitat by closing social trails, rehabilitating sensitive habitat, and establishing a sustainable summit trail on this popular 13er.
$86,055 to Pagosa Area Recreation Coalition (PARC)
PARC, spanning Archuleta and parts of Hinsdale and Mineral counties, is developing a community-driven outdoor recreation plan that will enhance recreation experiences while protecting natural resources and wildlife. Funding will support ongoing coordination and facilitation, including stakeholder engagement and a communications strategy using a new website, social media, community presentations, and public events to share the coalition’s work. In addition, the partnership will protect sensitive landscapes, encourage responsible recreation, and improve visitor experience by placing seasonal porta-potties and trash cans at high-use trailheads and implementing a wayfinding and signage plan.
$2,500,000 to Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance (PPORA)
As part of its Peak Exceptionalism Project, the Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance (PPORA) will lead several efforts alongside project partners advancing conservation and sustainable recreation across the Pikes Peak Region, which includes El Paso, Fremont, and Teller counties and welcomes over 25 million visitors each year. The partnership will construct, realign, and authorize segments of the currently 63-mile Ring the Peak (RTP) Trail encircling Pikes Peak. Partners will also restore 300 acres within Dome Rock State Wildlife Area to improve bighorn sheep habitat, lower wildfire risk, and foster a more resilient ecosystem. Camping opportunities will be enhanced along the RTP corridor and the Gold Belt Scenic Byway, with new campsites and access points added at Red Canyon Park. A three-year ambassador program will deploy trained staff to educate visitors, maintain trails, and collect recreation-use data. These initiatives build on a four-year planning effort that engaged more than 1,400 community members in shaping a shared vision for the region’s outdoor spaces.
$87,000 to the Roaring Fork Outdoor Coalition
The Roaring Fork Outdoor Coalition builds partnerships, anticipates future recreation needs, and promotes inclusive recreation while upholding conservation goals. In advance of completing a regional plan in 2026, this funding will support a pilot Decision Support Tool to help select stewardship and education projects in the Roaring Fork Valley. Anticipated projects include habitat restoration, trail stewardship and maintenance, and volunteer events. The coalition will also continue working across county lines with neighboring regional partnerships in Eagle, Grand, and Summit counties through the Mountain Communities Outdoor Collective.
$388,856 to Routt Recreation & Conservation Roundtable (RRCR)
RRCR spent two years developing a comprehensive Conservation and Recreation Strategy, working with a wide range of members and partners across the county to identify and prioritize projects. Funding will support continued facilitation of the Roundtable, collaboration across sectors and interest areas, and a summer stewardship crew. The crew will carry out on-the-ground trail and resource stewardship across the broader Hahns Peak–Bears Ears Ranger District, focusing on high-use recreation areas and dispersed camping corridors.
$394,000 to San Luis Valley Great Outdoors (SLV GO!)
SLV GO! works to ensure outdoor recreation in the San Luis Valley is developed and maintained sustainably, protecting the region’s natural resources through strategic planning, adaptive management, and advocacy. Following a multi-year planning process, SLV GO! completed an SLV Great Outdoors Strategy informed by community surveys, focus groups, listening sessions, data analysis, and local knowledge. Funding will support continued capacity for the coalition and a wildlife fencing project. The project will convert 12 miles of fence along the Colorado–New Mexico border to wildlife-friendly fencing, helping big game move through critical winter habitat, and construct fencing in the Rio Grande Natural Area to protect riparian habitat from overgrazing.
$124,575 to Spanish Peaks Outdoor Coalition (SPOC)
SPOC focuses on recreation, conservation, and economic development in southern Colorado. After its first year, the coalition established a governance structure, guiding pillars, and a consensus-based decision-making process. It’s now developing a regional plan to guide future conservation, outdoor recreation, and sustainable economic development. This grant will support coordination, facilitation, and community engagement. It will also help the coalition produce an outdoor guide showcasing the Spanish Peaks region, highlighting local destinations, public land access, cultural sites, conservation areas, wildlife habitat, and outdoor businesses in Huerfano and Las Animas counties.
$141,429 to West Slope Outdoor Alliance (WSOA)
WSOA formed in 2022 to bring together community members from Delta, Mesa, and Montrose counties to balance recreation and conservation. The coalition’s vision is a vibrant West Slope where future generations enjoy stunning landscapes, abundant wildlife, productive farms and ranches, and diverse recreation opportunities, all supported by thoughtful land use and shared stewardship. While WSOA finalizes its regional recreation and conservation plan, funding will support its partnership coordinator and projects focused on responsible recreation education, habitat protection, reducing recreation impacts on agriculture, and improving equitable access to the outdoors. Projects include installing multi-use signs, hosting a youth responsible recreation video contest, repairing wildlife guzzlers, supporting seasonal closures, and restoring habitat in the Escalante Headwaters area.
$75,000 to Wet Mountain Valley Outdoors (WMVO)
Starting in 2025, WMVO began doing community outreach to create a long-term vision and action plan for outdoor recreation, conservation, reclamation, and land preservation on public and private lands in Custer County. This funding will support continued outreach and engagement to build a shared vision, identify strategies, and form action teams that will guide the partnership’s work.
$200,000 to Colorado Parks and Wildlife
In addition, a $200,000 direct grant to Colorado Parks and Wildlife will help the agency support regional partnerships with facilitation and other services as they grow and evolve.
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