The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the state’s budget. As a result, several grant programs managed by the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) have been impacted. Below is a list of CWCB programs and associated impacts.
For more background on CWCB funding, view the Funding 101 fact sheet and frequently asked questions.
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SEVERANCE TAX SUPPORTED PROGRAMS |
IMPACT |
Severance Tax Operational Fund Grants |
Grants approved by the Board in March 2020 that were expected to begin in July 2020 will not proceed with contracting. Funding for this grant program is suspended until further notice. |
Water Supply Reserve Fund Grants |
No new funding available for Fiscal Year 2021. The Basin Roundtables can still award grants from the current basin account fund balances. Grants that were approved in Fiscal Year 2019/2020 are still moving forward. The current balance for the statewide account will be stretched over the next three fiscal years. |
Water Efficiency Grant Program |
The program will not receive additional funding in Fiscal Year 2021. Limited grants can be awarded based on the fund balance. The current balance will be stretched over the next three fiscal years. |
| Species Conservation Trust Fund |
The program will not receive additional severance tax funding in Fiscal Year 2021. Limited projects will continue based on the fund balance. This does not affect funding that was authorized in this year’s SCTF legislation (SB20-201). |
Interbasin Compact Committee |
This program will not receive additional funding in Fiscal Year 2021. Existing funds may be used on a limited basis for meeting space, food, and travel. However, this may not be permitted depending on public health orders in place at the time of the meeting./p> |
Water Project Loan Program |
Loan applications are being accepted |
| CONSTRUCTION FUND SUPPORTED PROGRAMS | IMPACT |
Water Plan Grant Program |
The recently passed Projects Bill included funding for new grants. The Board will consider applications that were postponed in May at its July 15, 2020 meeting (stemming from the February 1, 2020 application round). Future application deadlines will be announced following the July CWCB Board meeting. |
Watershed Restoration Grant Program |
The recently passed Projects Bill included funding for grants. The current balance will be stretched over the next three fiscal years. |
Alternative Transfer Methods Grant Program |
The recently passed Projects Bill included funding for grants. The current balance will be stretched over the next three fiscal years. |