Fish and Wildlife Resources Fund Grant Program

The Fish and Wildlife Resources Fund Grant Program, administered by the Colorado Water Conservation Board, aims to support existing water supply facilities while ensuring the protection of Colorado's fish and wildlife. Grants can be utilized for water rights acquisition, river restoration projects, and a combination of both, enhancing environmental sustainability. Eligible applicants include operators of water facilities and the CWCB, with projects expected to be completed within three years. Contact CWCB staff for funding discussions and requirements.

Colorado’s most comprehensive water information resource, the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) was created to provide policy direction on water issues.
The Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) has been authorized by the State of Colorado to grant money to existing water supply facilities to help preserve a balance between development of the state’s resources and the protection of the state’s fish and wildlife resources. The grant money is awarded for mitigation of existing water diversion, delivery or storage facilities.
Grants from the Fish and Wildlife Resources Fund can be accepted for:
The appropriation of water rights or the acquisition of water rights to preserve or improve the natural environment to a reasonable degree to mitigate the impact of an existing water facility. All acquisitions or appropriations must be in compliance with instream flow rules and state water laws.
River restoration feasibility studies and construction projects designed to directly mitigate or significantly improve the environmental impacts of existing water facilities.
An appropriate combination of river restoration and water rights acquisition or appropriation.
A special note on water rights appropriations and acquisitions: The Board will consider and CWCB staff will evaluate and recommend to the Board grant applications for appropriation or acquisition of water rights to be held by the Board on the following project types:
Instream flow water rights that assist in the administration of compact-entitled waters, or address problems relating to compact-entitled waters Instream flow water rights that facilitate the resolution of federal water rights issuesInstream flow water rights that assist in the recovery of threatened or endangered wildlife species or the conservation of existing wildlife species within riparian ecosystems.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact staff to discuss funding amounts and limitations.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include operators of existing water diversion, delivery or storage facility projects and the CWCB. Entities that do not operate such facilities, such as certain municipalities, watershed groups, and others, are encouraged to contact CWCB staff to explore the opportunities for joint application with the CWCBProjects should be completed within three years of receiving funding