Program Name | Description | Eligible Entities | Eligible Entity Information | Project Type | Award Ceiling | Award Floor | Non-federal Cost Share | Application Deadline | Status | Informational Webinars | Government Level | Agency | Agency Contact | Agency Program Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gates Family Foundation Colorado Natural Resources Funding | This funding source supports projects that conserve, protect, and enhance Colorado’s natural resources, with a focus on long-term investments in land, water, habitat, and outdoor spaces. Eligible projects may include land conservation, protection of natural systems, preservation of agricultural landscapes, public recreation infrastructure, parks, greenways, trails, and other projects that improve access to and stewardship of natural resources. The foundation prioritizes projects that address root challenges, demonstrate strong community involvement, and benefit rural or underserved communities. For aquatic and stream restoration efforts, this funding is most relevant for capital-scale conservation projects such as land acquisition, watershed protection, restoration infrastructure, or improvements that support long-term ecosystem health rather than short-term planning or operational needs. | Nongovernmental Organizations | Open to 501(c)(3) public charity recognized under IRS sections 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2), or in limited cases a government entity | Forest Management Watershed Health Public Land Access Aquatic Connectivity | Must have 30% of project costs committed | 9/1/2026, 9:28:10 PM (UTC) | Open | Contact Lisa Rucker with questions, lrucker@gatesfamilyfoundation.org or (303) 722-1881 | https://gatesfamilyfoundation.org/strategic-priorities/natural-resources/ | |||||
| Forestry Legacy Program | The Forest Legacy Program (FLP) is a conservation program administered by the Forest Service in partnership with State agencies to encourage the protection of privately owned forest lands through conservation easements or land purchases. Funding is allocated through IRA announcements and through state LWCF opportunities. | Landowners | Landowners may participate by either selling their property outright or by retaining ownership and selling only a portion of the property’s development rights; both are held by state agencies or another unit of government. | Forest Management | NA, depends on grant | NA, depends on grant | Varied | 9/12/2026, 3:59:00 AM (UTC) | Open | NA | Federal | US Dept Agriculture US Forest Service | Landowners interested in participating in the program should contact their state coordinator. | https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/private-land/forest-legacy/program |
| Bureau of Land Management’s Invasive and Noxious Plant Management Program | The Bureau of Land Management’s Invasive and Noxious Plant Management Program supports watershed and stream restoration by funding efforts to prevent, detect, control, and monitor invasive plant species that threaten native ecosystems and watershed function. Projects supported through this program can help restore resilient plant communities through invasive species treatments, early detection and rapid response, burned area rehabilitation, emergency stabilization, and public education. By improving the health of native plant communities on public lands, the program complements stream restoration efforts by protecting riparian corridors, improving habitat conditions, and strengthening long-term watershed resilience. | State Government Local Government, including Acequias Federal Recognized Tribes/Pueblos Nongovernmental Organizations Institutes of Higher Education | States/Counties and local governments, Native American tribal governments/organizations, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions. | Forest Management Watershed Health | $400,000 | $20,000 | None | 9/25/2026, 2:02:55 PM (UTC) | Open | N/A | Federal | Bureau of Land Management Dept. of Interior | Seth Flanigan, sflanigan@blm.gov | https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/359778 |
| North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) U.S. Standard Grants | The NAWCA U.S. Standard Grants Program provides competitive matching grants that support public-private partnerships to protect, restore, and enhance wetlands and associated upland habitats for the benefit of migratory birds and other wildlife. The program promotes long-term wetland conservation, habitat restoration, and healthy migratory bird populations in alignment with the North American Waterfowl Management Plan and other North American bird conservation plans. Eligible projects include wetland protection, restoration, and enhancement; riparian and upland habitat restoration; floodplain and hydrologic reconnection; invasive species management; habitat-focused water management infrastructure; and watershed-scale conservation projects that provide long-term benefits for migratory birds and other wildlife | State Government Local Government, including Acequias Federal Recognized Tribes/Pueblos Nongovernmental Organizations For Profit/Private Entities | State governments County governments City or township governments Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Small businesses | $3,000,000 | $250,001 | 50% | 9/26/2026, 3:59:00 AM (UTC) | Open | Federal | US Fish and Wildlife Service | Stacy Sanchez, stacy_sanchez@fws.gov | https://www.fws.gov/service/north-american-wetlands-conservation-act-nawca-us-standard-grants | ||
| Bureau of Land Management’s Plant Conservation and Restoration Management Program | The Bureau of Land Management’s Plant Conservation and Restoration Management Program supports watershed and stream restoration by expanding the availability of native seed needed to restore and stabilize landscapes after wildfire, floods, and other disturbances. By investing in native seed production and strengthening partnerships with farmers, small producers, and conservation partners, the program helps build a more reliable native seed supply chain that supports revegetation, erosion control, habitat recovery, and long-term watershed resilience. Access to locally appropriate native seed is a critical component of stream restoration projects, particularly those focused on riparian habitat restoration, floodplain reconnection, and recovery of degraded watersheds. | State Government Local Government, including Acequias Federal Recognized Tribes/Pueblos Nongovernmental Organizations Institutes of Higher Education | States/Counties and local governments, Native American tribal governments/organizations, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions. | Forest Management Watershed Health | $500,000 | $10,000 | None | 9/28/2026, 2:06:48 PM (UTC) | Open | N/A | Federal | Bureau of Land Management Dept. of Interior | Seth Flanigan, sflanigan@blm.gov | https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/359778 |
| Partners for Fish and Wildlife | The Partners for Fish and Wildlife (PFW) Program is a voluntary, incentive-based program that provides direct technical assistance and financial assistance primarily through cooperative agreements to private landowners to restore and conserve fish and wildlife habitat for the benefit of federal trust resources. Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program staff coordinate with project partners, stakeholders and other Service programs to identify geographic focus areas and develop habitat conservation priorities within these focus areas. NOTE: Applicants must apply through the grants.gov website but also must contact the partners biologists (contacts below). Applicants can submit projects on an ongoing basis for consideration, despite due dates highlighted on Grants.gov. | Federal Recognized Tribes/Pueblos State Government Local Government, including Acequias For Profit/Private Entities Institutes of Higher Education Nongovernmental Organizations | Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) State governments City or township governments Special district governments Small businesses County governments Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education For profit organizations other than small businesses Individuals Independent school districts Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities | Agriculture Improvements Forest Management Watershed Health | $750,000 | N/A | 20-50% non federal cost share | 10/1/2026, 12:00:00 AM (UTC) | Open | Federal | Dept. of Interior US Fish and Wildlife Service | Arizona: Jennifer Kaplan 602-376-6622 Jennifer_Kaplan@fws.gov New Mexico: Maceo Martinet maceo_martinet@fws.gov Colorado: Dominic Barrett 303-236-4341 Dominic_Barrett@fws.gov Other Contacts: Southwest region: Don Wilhelm, don_Wilhelm@fws.gov National: Andreas Moshogianis, andreas_moshogianis@fws.gov | https://www.fws.gov/program/partners-fish-and-wildlife | |
| Rural Decentralized Water System Grant Program | This program provides grant funding to qualified nonprofits, including tribally owned nonprofits, to create a revolving loan fund or to award sub-grants to homeowners for supporting access to individually owned water and wastewater services in eligible rural areas. Grant funds may be used to help a nonprofit create a revolving loan fund for eligible individuals who own and occupy a home in an eligible rural area. The fund may be used to construct, refurbish, or service individually owned household water well and decentralized wastewater systems. Terms for the loans include one percent fixed interest rate, 20-year maximum term, and $15,000 maximum loan per household. The nonprofit may also award subgrants for the same purposes to eligible individuals meeting certain conditions. | Nongovernmental Organizations | • Rural areas and towns with populations of 50,000 or less • Tribal lands in rural areas • Colonias | Water Administration | 10% nonfederal cost share required | 10/1/2026, 3:59:00 AM (UTC) | Open | Federal | US Dept Agriculture | Eric Vigil, New Mexico Acting State Director, eric.vigil@usda.gov, (505) 761-4950; Sallie Clark, Colorado State Director, sallie.clark@usda.gov, (720) 544-2903; Lori Urban, Arizona State Director, lori.urban@usda.gov, (602) 280-8701. | https://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/water-environmental-programs/rural-decentralized-water-systems-grant-program | |||
| RESTORE Colorado Program | Grants made through the RESTORE Colorado Program will focus on the voluntary restoration, enhancement, and expansion of high priority wildlife habitat throughout the state. Competitive projects may combine multiple restoration and management strategies that enhance climate resiliency, ecological function, and habitat connectivity. In 2026, NFWF expects to make awards to projects focusing on the following habitats and statewide priorities: Watershed resilience (wetlands, riparian and upland habitats including forests) Eastern Colorado grasslands Sagebrush rangelands Big game winter range and migration corridors Capacity building for conservation project development and delivery Urban areas All projects must occur entirely within the State of Colorado. | Nongovernmental Organizations State Government Local Government, including Acequias Federal Recognized Tribes/Pueblos Institutes of Higher Education | Eligible applicants include non-profit 501(c)3 organizations, political subdivisions of the state, local and municipal governments, Native Nations and Indigenous-led organizations, and educational institutions. | Forest Management Watershed Health Capacity/Technical Assistance | $500,000 | $100,000 | Due to the diversity of federal, state, and private funding sources involved in the RESTORE Colorado Program, leverage and match is encouraged but not required. Leverage and match will be evaluated for its demonstration of community support and project partnerships, not for the dollar amount contributed, and can include cash, in-kind or volunteer contributions. | 11/13/2026, 4:59:00 AM (UTC) | Open | August 28, 10am MDT: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/7565770745272648795 | Colorado | National Fish and Wildlife Foundation | General Inquiries and Application Support: Emma Wigger - Emma.Wigger@nfwf.org; Watershed Resilience Project Inquiries: Kirstin Neff - Kirstin.Neff@nfwf.org; Sagebrush, Grassland, and Migration Project Inquiries: Chris West - Chris.West@nfwf.org | https://www.nfwf.org/programs/restore-colorado-program/restore-colorado-program-2026-request-proposals |
| Fish Passage Program | The National Fish Passage Program provides financial and technical assistance for projects that improve the ability of fish or other aquatic species to migrate by reconnecting habitat that has been fragmented by a barrier such as a dam or culvert. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) biologists and engineers are available to provide assistance in the planning, design, implementation, and monitoring of select fish passage projects. This is a collaborative program based on shared priorities between partners and the USFWS. Projects are brought to a local USFWS and elevated for regional approval if priorities align. The first place to start if you have a project idea is to reach out to a local USFWS office. Even if projects don't move forward, partners can get project ideas into a USFWS-tracked project pipeline for potential future implementation. | State Government Local Government, including Acequias Federal Recognized Tribes/Pueblos Institutes of Higher Education Nongovernmental Organizations Entities with Water Delivery Authority Landowners For Profit/Private Entities | Anyone willing to work alongside USFWS is eligible to bring forth project ideas. | Watershed Health Capacity/Technical Assistance | TBD | TBD | 50% non-federal cost share is FLEXIBLE, can include in-kind contributions, and can be offset by USFWS | 4/30/2027, 8:18:37 PM (UTC) | Open, Rolling | Federal | US Fish and Wildlife Service | New Mexico: Nate Caswell (New Mexico contact), nate_caswell@fws.gov, (505) 342-9900, Ext. 102; Trevor Luna (Regional director), trevor_luna@fws.gov, (505) 617-5872 Colorado: Liisa Niva, liisa_niva@fws.gov (Regional director) | https://www.fws.gov/story/get-involved-national-fish-passage-program | |
| WaterSMART Enhancing Water Resources Projects | Previously known as the WaterSMART Environmental Water Resources Project opportunity, the new "Enhancing" Water Resources Project opportunity supports collaboratively developed projects that benefit multiple water users, improve water supply reliability, and enhance watershed health. Projects that balance numerous community interests (agriculture, recreation, fisheries, power, etc.), were developed collaboratively, and provide significant watershed benefits will be prioritized under this funding opportunity. There will be two rounds of funding under the opportunity. The first round will close Wednesday September 9th, 2026, and the second round will close Wednesday September 8th, 2027. Interested applicants are encouraged to review the full funding opportunity announcements on grants.gov under R26AS00017: https://simpler.grants.gov/opportunity/a940c518-8df8-4df8-ad9b-e1a5c84d48eb | State Government Local Government, including Acequias Federal Recognized Tribes/Pueblos Entities with Water Delivery Authority Nongovernmental Organizations | State, Tribal or local government, an organization with power or water delivery authority, regional authority, or a nonprofit conservation organization | Municipal/Industry Conservation Watershed Health | $3,000,000 | $50,000 | 25 percent non-Federal cost share is required at the time of award. A watershed group is eligible to apply for 50-percent cost-shared funding without a Category A (States, Tribes, irrigation districts, and water districts; State, regional, or local authorities) partner but must have a Category A partner to be eligible for 75-percent Federal funding. Watershed groups requesting 75-percent Federal funding should include a letter of support or other documentation demonstrating that they are acting in partnership with and with the agreement of the Category A entity. | 9/8/2027, 9:00:00 PM (UTC) | Open | Reclamation will host a webinar on Tuesday June 16th, 2026 at 1:00pm MDT to share more information on the WaterSMART Enhancing Water Resources Projects funding opportunity. The webinar will cover eligible applicants, project types, and the application process. | Federal | Bureau of Reclamation Dept. of Interior | For additional information, contact Alisha James bor-sha-fafoa@usbr.gov or Genevieve Allan (Albuquerque office) at gallan@usbr.gov | https://www.usbr.gov/watersmart/ewrp/index.html |