Water Supply Reserve Fund Grants

The Basin Account funds water activities from a basin roundtable. The CWCB evaluates applications for the Basin Account to ensure the Threshold Criteria are met. Please see the Criteria & Guidelines under "How Do I Apply" for details.

The Statewide Account funds water activities from a basin roundtable on a competitive basis. The CWCB evaluates applications for the Statewide Account to ensure each application meets the Threshold Criteria in addition to being evaluated using the Evaluation Criteria. Please see the Criteria & Guidelines under "How Do I Apply" for details.

Who can apply?

Eligible entities that may apply for grants or loans from the Program include: ­

• Public (Government) – municipalities, enterprises, counties and State of Colorado agencies ­
• Public (Districts) – special, water and sanitation, conservancy, conservations, irrigation and water activity enterprises ­
• Private Incorporated – mutual ditch companies, homeowners associations and non-profit corporations ­
• Private – individuals, partnerships and sole proprietors are eligible for Basin Funds but are not eligible for Statewide Funds ­
• Non-governmental organizations – typically non-profit but also includes for-profit corporations

**For requests from the Statewide Account, applicants must demonstrate a 25% percent (or greater) match of the total grant request from other sources, including but not limited to Basin Funds.

How can the money be used?

Eligible water activities include a broad range of activities such as: ­

• Technical assistance regarding permitting, feasibility studies and environmental compliance; ­
• Studies or analysis of structural, nonstructural, consumptive and non-consumptive water needs, projects or activities; and ­
• Structural and nonstructural water projects or activities.

How do I apply?

1. Review the Water Supply Reserve Fund Grant Criteria and Guidelines (Please note Criteria & Guidelines will be updated and replaced here by January 1, 2022).
2. Obtain approval from the basin roundtable in which your activity will occur. Meeting dates and contact information are available on the various basin roundtable pages.
3. Submit the Grant Application form (Word ), statement of work, budget and schedule via email to Water Supply Planning. Electronic applications can also be mailed to:

 

Colorado Water Conservation Board
Water Supply Planning Section
WSRF Application
1313 Sherman Street, Room 718
Denver, CO 80203

Please review the statement of work template (Exhibit A) and appendices with reference information (Word) and Budget schedule (Exhibit B) (Excel).

Work with CWCB staff to address any issues or additional needs prior to CWCB Board review.

When is the deadline to apply?

Prior to applying to the CWCB, the applicant must have the approval of the basin roundtable in which the activity will occur. See the basin roundtables page for details about upcoming meeting dates and contact information. A complete, detailed application, including letter from the respective basin roundtable, statement of work, budget, schedule, and maps must be received by the CWCB no later than the first of the month, three months prior to the bimonthly CWCB meeting at which the application will be considered for funding. For example, applications for the March CWCB meeting are due December 1st.

**Statewide applications are brought before the board in March and September. Applicants seeking both a Water Plan Grant and a WRSF Grant should submit both in December for March board review.

What is the approval process after I have submitted an application?

After approval from the basin roundtable has been granted, CWCB staff review all eligible applications and provide a written recommendation to the CWCB Board at its bi-monthly Board meeting. The CWCB Board evaluates the application and makes a funding decision. Allocation of funds is dependent on the availability of funds and an evaluation of the merits of the proposed water activity. The merits of the proposed water activity are based on how well a proposal meets the criteria outlined in the Criteria and Guidelines. Within 30 days of the Board review, the CWCB will provide each applicant with a summary of why the application was approved for full funding, partial funding or no funding. Successful applicants are expected to execute a contract with the CWCB within 6 months from approval.