Governor Polis, Colorado Parks and Wildlife Expand Youth Outdoor Education Opportunities

Monday, March 18, 2024

DENVER - Today, Governor Polis and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) announced an additional $200,000 in annual awards for groups providing outdoor recreation and conservation opportunities for youth through the Outdoor Equity Grant Program. 


“Now more Colorado kids can explore our great outdoors, have healthy fun,  and develop that shared sense of stewardship we all feel for these lands we love. I’m excited to support even more organizations who are working in Colorado communities to connect underserved young Coloradans with outdoor recreation opportunities,” said Governor Polis. 


In December 2023, CPW’s Outdoor Equity Grant Program (OEGP) announced $2.2 million in grant awards to 35 organizations across the state. Since 2021, the OEGP has invested over $5.5 million in environmental learning opportunities, outdoor education, exposure to career pathways, public health, and outdoor fun for underserved youth and families through funding from the Colorado Lottery. However, grant applications have well exceeded available funds for this impactful program. In recognition of this, CPW’s Executive Management Team is committing an additional $200,000 each year from CPW Cash Funds to fund requests for support.


This additional funding will support: 

  • Access Unbound with $35,000 to provide scholarships and ski passes for participation in adaptive snowsports lessons through partner programs at ski resorts. 
  • Mile High Youth Corps with $40,000 to deliver conservation career pathway training for 40 youth across 4 Land Conservation program affinity crews in Denver and Colorado Springs.
  • The Center for Rural Outreach and Public Services, operating as the Ute Mountain Ute, with an additional $50,000 to bolster their outdoor hiking, skiing, and mountain biking programs alongside a career fair.
  • The African American Leadership Group with an additional $75,000 to support the launch of their Outdoor Equity Program.

"We know there are profound benefits to connecting with nature, and all youth, especially those who have been traditionally excluded, should get the opportunity to experience Colorado’s outdoor wonders. Increasing funding for the Outdoor Equity Grant Program is a priority of Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and this additional investment is our commitment to expanding opportunities to meaningful outdoor experiences that nurture a love for the outdoors that will last a lifetime,” said Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director Jeff Davis.


In 2023, the program received nearly 240 grant applications totaling over $17 million in requests. The additional investment from CPW will fund two additional grant requests from the last application cycle, and increase the amount awarded to two previously-awarded grant recipients, bringing the total amount awarded in the 2023 grant cycle to over $2.4 million. Starting this December, the additional investment will ensure that the full Lottery transfer of up to $3 million will be awarded to fulfill the large amount of requests the program receives each year.


The Outdoor Equity Grant Board accepted applications in the late summer and selected 35 organizations to receive grants this December. Outdoor Equity Grants support organizations across the state who provide outdoor recreation, education, and conservation opportunities for youth ages 0 - 25 who are racially and ethnically diverse, low-income, LGBTQ+, American Indian or Native, and for youth with disabilities.

The Outdoor Equity Grant Board is the deliberative body that awards Outdoor Equity Grants. Last July, they finalized the following two Board values to help guide the direction of the board and program:

  • We value opportunities that respect the community’s ability to define their own priorities so they can obtain the resources to achieve their goals.
  • We value opportunities that instill a sense of wonder, excitement, and responsibility for the environment in Colorado youth and families. 

The announcement of an increased investment for the OEGP supports the Board’s ability to accomplish these goals.

“These extra funds are going to provide transformative experiences for hundreds of Colorado kids and put them on a path to a lifetime of love for the outdoors,” said Michal Rosenoer, Outdoor Equity Grant Board member. “I’m so glad CPW decided to expand the program’s funding now and into the future; as a Board Member for the Outdoor Equity Grant Program, I can tell you that there are so many passionate people with great ideas all over the state. Getting to fund even more of their work is an honor.”

"Expanding the Outdoor Equity Grant Program reflects the Department of Natural Resources’ dedication to fostering inclusivity and accessibility in outdoor recreation and conservation,” said Dan Gibbs, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources. “By investing in the Outdoor Equity Grant Program, we are investing in diverse organizations from across the state of Colorado who serve thousands of youth and families each year and foster a sense of belonging in and stewardship toward our natural world. I am excited to see this program’s continued success.”

The Department of Natural Resources and Colorado Parks and Wildlife take great pride in supporting the Outdoor Equity Grant Program and remain dedicated to investing in organizations across the state that serve low-income, racially and ethnically diverse, LGBTQ+, and Indigenous youth, and youth with disabilities. For the upcoming grant cycle in 2024, we anticipate distributing $3 million in awards. Please visit our website for more information about the Outdoor Equity Grant Program, the Board and their values, current grantees, or the next funding cycle. 

The next meeting of the Outdoor Equity Grant Board will be held virtually via Zoom on Monday, March 18. Visit our website to access the meeting agenda and link to join.

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OEGP is funded with Colorado Lottery proceeds and allocates funding through grants for initiatives that focus on increasing access to the outdoors for youth and families from communities that are traditionally underrepresented in outdoor recreation and conservation. For more information, visit https://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/Outdoor-Equity-Fund.aspx
 

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