Public Education, Participation, and Outreach Grant Program: Basin Coordinator

The Public Education, Participation, and Outreach Grant Program, initiated by the Colorado Water Conservation Board, supports education and outreach initiatives for water conservation. This grant enables coordinators to work closely with basin roundtables, facilitating community engagement on water issues. With funding up to $25,000, the program aims to enhance public awareness and education about water resources, ensuring sustainable management for future generations. Eligible entities include governments and individuals, fostering collaboration across Colorado's nine river basins.

NOTE: Please create an account on the CWCB Portal. Please note that confirmation of registration may take 1-2 days and you will receive an email once your registration is approved. The grant application will be submitted through the CWCB Portal.
For the Basin Coordinator fund, one point of contact acting as the fiscal agent should be listed for the basin coordinator position. The applicant must receive prior approval and support from a basin roundtable.
Background
The CWCB was created over 80 years ago and today it remains Colorado's most comprehensive water information resource. The agency works on a broad range of programs and provides technical and financial assistance to support the Colorado Water Plan.
Governed by a 15-member Board, the CWCB's responsibilities include protecting Colorado's streams and lakes, flood mitigation, watershed protection, stream restoration, drought planning, water supply planning, and water project financing. The CWCB also works to protect the state's water apportionments in collaboration with other western states and federal agencies.
Each CWCB program is directed by the agency's Strategic Framework, as well as through Statutory Authorities and Responsibilities. Reviewed annually by the Board, the Strategic Plan also contains a Board Member Work Plan, which guides the Board's actions and helps implement the authorities and objectives of the CWCB.
The Public Education, Participation, and Outreach (PEPO) Grant Program - newly established in 2022 - provides grant funding in two categories: statewide education and outreach initiatives, as well as financial support for designated individual coordinators who support basin-specific outreach and education efforts alongside each of the state’s basin roundtables. All PEPO grant applications and requested funds must be approved by one of the nine basin roundtables through a letter of support from the basin roundtable chair.
Each of Colorado’s nine river basin roundtables may support an organization or individual to apply for grant funding of up to $25,000 to fund a single PEPO Coordinator. The PEPO coordinator’s primary task will be to coordinate with CWCB and the basin roundtable(s) in all education and outreach activities within their respective basin. This includes coordinating with CWCB prior to roundtable meetings and at up to three regular meetings per year in order to have the most up to date information on coordinated outreach efforts and grant fund balances. The basin coordinators are tasked with developing and implementing water education activities in the basin that support education and outreach efforts for public awareness around water issues and what the roundtables are working on. These efforts must be consistent with the Colorado Water Plan and their respective Basin Implementation Plan.
Basin Coordinator funds may be distributed to the individual or organization subcontractors approved by the basin roundtable with the intention of completing the tasks within the relevant scope of work as identified in the application. Applicants may use funds to cover both time and materials needed.

Eligibility

Eligible entities include governments, municipalities, districts, enterprises, and individuals. Federal agencies are encouraged to work with local entities.