Colorado Agricultural Emergency Drought Response Program

In drought-designated Colorado counties, this program reimburses agricultural water organizations, such as augmentation companies, ditch and reservoir companies, and conservancy and conservation districts, for emergency augmentation water they bought during the previous irrigation season and for extra pumping costs when the source is supplemental groundwater. Irrigators benefit through their ditch or augmentation company, which applies. Applications for this year's costs are due April 15, 2027.

• Agricultural organizations (augmentation companies, ditch and reservoir companies, conservancy districts, conservation districts)

• Located in counties where an emergency drought designation or a disaster emergency has been proclaimed (USDA Secretarial drought designation primary or contiguous counties)

• Only verified costs incurred during a previous irrigation season

Grant (or loan) for emergency augmentation water actually purchased; administrative costs no more than 5% of the grant.

Published amounts: Program total: up to $1 million annually, in the form of loans or grants. Administrative costs (engineering, attorney fees) capped at 5% of the grant amount.

Review the Grant Guidelines and follow the application procedure; contact Nora Flynn with questions. Staff send applications with a recommendation to a Program Management Committee (CWCB Director, State Engineer, DNR Executive Director and the Commissioner of Agriculture), which makes the final decision.

Deadline text on the page: Application Deadline April 15, 2027. Counties on the current-year USDA Secretarial drought designation map (primary and contiguous) can apply by April 15 of the following year.