Conservation Service Corps Grants

The Conservation Service Corps Grants, funded by Great Outdoors Colorado, support outdoor recreation and natural resource projects by hiring youth and veterans through conservation service corps. Annually, $1.5 million is allocated for these initiatives, enabling crews to tackle various projects like trail maintenance, invasive species mitigation, and wildlife habitat improvement. This program not only enhances natural resources but also provides job training and leadership skills to over 1,700 young participants each year.

In partnership with the Colorado Youth Corps Association (CYCA), GOCO offers funding for our partners to hire conservation service corps for outdoor recreation and natural resource stewardship projects. The GOCO board currently commits $1,000,000 per year to the program and another $500,000 through GOCO’s investment in Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
CYCA is a statewide coalition of eight accredited conservation service corps that employ and train youth, young adults, and veterans (typically ages 14–25). Through their work, corps members understand and address stewardship issues facing Colorado, including water conservation, land use, fire danger, and the impact of invasive species. Young people also contribute to their communities and gain job readiness and leadership skills that prepare them for future careers in the natural resource sector. In addition, most corps members earn a stipend for their service and an AmeriCorps education award to use toward attending college or reducing their existing student loans. CYCA-accredited corps serve more than 1,700 participants each year.
Conservation service corps crews complete a variety of projects, including:

• Trail construction and maintenance
• Tamarisk, Russian olive, and other invasive species mitigation – chainsaw crews, including pesticide/herbicide application, are available
• Fence installation and de-construction
• Wildlife habitat improvement
• Riparian restoration
• Beetle kill hazard mitigation – chainsaw crews available
• Fire fuels mitigation – chainsaw crews available

Youth corps crews work on a “per week” basis. One week includes 8–10 people who work at least 320 hours collectively. There is no maximum grant request, but applicants must request a minimum of two weeks’ worth of work.