What is the Water Conservation Planning Grant Program?
Grants for Water Conservation Planning Projects offer assistance to water providers of all sizes who are developing or updating their water conservation plans, helping to promote more meaningful water conservation statewide.

Who can apply for a Grant?
Covered entities, non-covered entities and other state or local governmental entities, who: ­

• Require water conservation plans to qualify for water project funding under Board and Colorado Water Resources and Power Authority (CWRPA) programs; ­
• Need to update and/or amend existing water conservation plans currently on file with the Office to maintain funding from the Board or the CWRPA in adherence with §37-60-126 C.R.S; or ­
• Desire to improve, update and/or create water conservation plans.

How can the money be used?
Grant money can be used to develop a water conservation plan, including offsetting staff and other internal costs associated with plan development or engaging the technical assistance of a water conservation professional or consultant.

How do I apply for a Grant?

1. Review the Grant Guidelines for Water Conservation Planning Projects. Preference may be given to those applicants that follow the structure and processes described in the CWCB’s Water Conservation Plan Development Guidance Document.
2. Develop the application content following the Guidelines and submit a hard and electronic copy to:

Colorado Water Conservation Board
Attn: Ben Wade
1313 Sherman Street, Room 721
Denver, CO 80203

Submit electronic copy in Microsoft Word to: Ben Wade. 

Application Deadlines ­

• Requests less than $50,000: May be submitted any time throughout the year. ­
• Requests of $50,000 or more: Must be submitted by the first of the month prior to a bi-monthly Board meeting to be considered for award at that Board meeting (e.g., applications must be received by February 1 to be considered for award at the March Board meeting).

What is the approval process after I have submitted an application?
Applications are divided into two categories: ­

• Requests less than $50,000: CWCB staff evaluate, score and prioritize the application using the Grant Guidelines for Water Conservation Planning Projects. When an application meets the Guideline criteria, the CWCB Director, or designee, reviews and makes the final award decision. The awarded amount may be what was requested or it may be an alternate amount. Upon the Director’s approval and signature, the Grants Coordinator notifies the applicant of the award within 10 days. ­
• Requests of $50,000 or more: CWCB Board action and approval are required. First, CWCB staff evaluate, score and prioritize the application using the Grant Guidelines for Water Conservation Planning Projects. When an application meets the Guideline criteria, the CWCB Board reviews and makes the final award decision. The awarded amount may be what was requested or it may be an alternate amount. Upon the Board’s approval, the Grants Coordinator notifies the applicant of the award within 30 days. ­
• Work cannot begin until a Purchase Order is completed.