Colorado South Fork Focus Zone Irrigated Acreage Retirement Program

This program pays landowners $750 per irrigated acre they retire in the South Fork Focus Zone of the Republican River, helping Colorado meet its 2016 compact obligation to Kansas and Nebraska to retire 25,000 acres by the end of 2029. It supplements a 'base' retirement program the landowner must already be enrolled in (CREP, EQIP, RAMP or WPPP). The Republican River Water Conservation District helps landowners prepare and submit applications.

• Irrigated acreage must be within the boundary of the South Fork of the Republican River's live stream

• Applicants must prove landownership for more than one year

• Must participate in one of four base programs that support irrigated acreage retirement: CREP, EQIP, RAMP, or WPPP

• A positive recommendation from the Republican River Water Conservation District (RRWCD) is required

$750 per retired irrigated acre, paid as a grant on top of the base program; grants executed by December 31, 2029.

Published amounts: The program offers grants of $750 per retired irrigated acre to eligible landowners in the SFFZ. $6.0 million appropriation to retire the remaining nearly 8,000 acres (over 17,000 of the 25,000-acre obligation retired as of spring 2025).

First contact the Republican River Water Conservation District, whose staff coordinate participation, develop application documents and submit applications to CWCB. Required: proof of ownership of irrigated acreage in the SFFZ, proof of base-program participation, RRWCD recommendation (eligible acres and grant amount), Scope of Work (Exhibit A), Budget (Exhibit B), proof of insurance and Certificate of Good Standing if applicable. Materials can be emailed to the program manager; CWCB evaluates and DWR must concur.

Deadline text on the page: All grants must be executed by December 31, 2029. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until all funds are obligated.