Human-Bear Conflict Reduction Community Grant

The Human-Bear Conflict Reduction Community Grant provides Colorado communities with funding to mitigate human-bear conflicts. With a total of $1 million available, grants ranging from $50,000 to $500,000 are offered to support innovative, cost-effective projects aimed at reducing bear attractants and promoting community safety. Eligible applicants include local governments, nonprofits, and businesses, emphasizing local support and proven techniques to foster sustainable solutions to this pressing issue.

Purpose
The purpose of the Human-Bear Conflict Reduction Community Grant Program is to provide local Colorado communities with financial resources to support efforts to reduce human-bear conflicts. Additionally, the grant program will serve to foster innovative solutions to human-bear conflict that can be replicated in other parts of the state and bolster efforts of all communities in Colorado to prevent conflict. This effort will be in tandem with all other tools available to protect human health and safety including bear management, CPW bear conflict response, and the game damage program.
Funding Considerations
The following will be taken into consideration when evaluating applications:
Addresses a recognized human-bear conflict situation.Likelihood of reduced human-bear conflict as a result of the proposed project.Applicant’s track record of working in the community and/or on bear conflict.The proposal fills a local/regional need.Ability to complete the planned project.Geographic distribution of funding.Cost-effectivenessSupport of local government and local CPW staff.
Funding
A total of $1 million will be available to communities through this program.
Matching Funds
Matching funds are not required but are a substantial way to demonstrate community support. In-kind match can count as a match. General volunteer labor is valued at $20/hour. More specialized donated services can be valued at comparable market rates. Supplies and equipment donated to the project can be valued at comparable market rates.

Eligibility

Who May Apply:A wide range of entities are eligible to apply for Human-Bear Conflict Reduction Community Grants including: local and county governments, park and recreation departments, open space departments, landowners, businesses, tribes, universities, and nonprofit organizations.Separate chapters or units of statewide organizations are considered as separate applicants.Local agencies may form partnerships with other agencies, including local CPW staff, to conduct a project. For applicants with limited experience with grant administration or fund management, partnering with a county, municipality, or CPW can help facilitate project management. While such partnerships are encouraged they are not required.Projects should primarily benefit Colorado communities and have local support, including the support of local CPW staff. Eligible Projects:The goal of the Human-Bear Conflict Reduction Community Grant Program is to reduce conflicts between local communities and black bears. Characteristics of projects that help meet this goal include:
The project reduces the availability of attractants to black bears in communities experiencing human-bear conflict OR the project disincentivizes black bears from entering areas of high conflict (i.e. hazing).
The project has local community support or a detailed plan to build local support.
The project is a cost-effective investment that has the potential to last beyond the funding time frame.
The project utilizes proven techniques for preventing conflict or will explore an innovation with promise to prevent conflict.

Ineligibility

Projects without local support or that have a more general benefit may not be eligible for funding.Stand alone research will not be eligible for funding. However applicants are encouraged to include plans for project evaluation which may include data collection and analysis.Funds may not be used for lobbying.Private businesses may apply for funding but need to demonstrate community value and meet other criteria for eligible projects. Grant money may not be used to directly generate revenue or profit.