Colorado Water Plan Grants

Colorado Water Plan Grants fund projects that carry out the state water plan, including an Agriculture category (irrigation infrastructure modernization, ditch-wide efficiency planning, on-farm efficiency demonstrations and next-generation farmer projects) and Water Sharing Agreements that offer alternatives to buy-and-dry. Your mutual ditch company, conservation or irrigation district, local government, nonprofit or a farm partnership applies; individuals are not listed as eligible. There are two cycles a year, with application deadlines July 1 and December 1.

• Governmental entities: municipalities, districts, enterprises, counties, State of Colorado agencies (federal agencies should partner with local entities)

• Covered Entities (§37-60-126 C.R.S.) only with an approved water conservation plan

• Private entities: mutual ditch companies, non-profit corporations, and partnerships

• Match: 50% minimum for construction, 25% for plans/studies

Reimbursement grant; costs before the executed State Agreement are not reimbursable; progress reports every six months.

Published amounts: For the 2026 grant application cycles, the CWCB has approximately $40.2 million total available to award; $11.2M remains for December 1 applications, including Agriculture - $4.31 million. Guidelines: minimum 50% match for construction projects and 25% for plans or studies (no more than half in-kind).

Contact your Regional Grant Manager and schedule a pre-application meeting several months ahead. Submit via the CWCB Portal with the Statement of Work (Word) and Budget & Timeline (Excel); Water Sharing Agreements/ATM and Engagement & Innovation applications need a supplemental form. Letters of support go through the Portal by the deadline. Review, award and contracting typically take 6–9 months.

Deadline text on the page: The CWCB offers two grant cycles each year, with application deadlines on July 1 and December 1. December 1 applications go to the March Board meeting.