Colorado Parks and Wildlife has several programs to help fund projects developed or led by outside (non-CPW) personnel or groups. Programs are available to assist landowners with habitat conditions, to help communities build trails or improve fishing opportunities, to work with ranchers to reduce conflicts with big game, and much more. Focus areas, eligibility requirements, matching fund requirements and other aspects vary for each program. The following links will connect you with more details regarding these funding opportunities. We hope we can help make your wildlife project a reality.
The Colorado Wildlife Habitat Program is a state-wide program that supports Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s mission by offering funding opportunities for private landowners who voluntarily protect important wildlife habitat, and/or, provide sustainable wildlife-related recreational access to the public. The CWHP utilizes Conservation Easements, Public Access Easements, and in limited circumstances, Fee Title purchases to accomplish strategic wildlife and public access goals
This unique program involves local communities in a three-way partnership with the Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Federal Sportfish Restoration Act monies. Eligible applicants can apply and compete for financial assistance for specific projects. Applicants must match their Fishing is Fun award with non-federal cash or in-kind services.
The Habitat Partnership Program is designed to help alleviate crop, rangeland forage, and fence conflicts between big game animals and livestock on private and public lands. The program seeks to develop partnerships between landowners, land managers, sportsmen, the public and the Parks and Wildlife to resolve those conflicts.
The Colorado State Recreational Trails Grant Program funds projects for:
Grant funds are used for trail maintenance to enhance and preserve the OHV trail systems.
Ranching for Wildlife Ranching for Wildlife is a program initiated in 1985 by the Colorado Wildlife Commission. It provides incentives to large landowners for managing their lands for wildlife benefits. This program has opened up over a million acres of prime private wildlife habitat to limited public hunting! Land owners must have 12,000 contiguous acres that contains significant number of the species that they wish to hunt.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Shooting Range Development Grant Program provides matching grants to:
and others for projects to establish, improve or expand shooting ranges, including archery, across the state. The Shooting Range Development Grant Program (SRDG) allocates up to $250,000 annually in matching funds through a competitive grant process.
To date, the SRDG Program has awarded funding to more than two dozen projects throughout Colorado - on the Eastern Plains, along the Front Range and on the Western Slope.
Colorado State Snowmobile Program registration fees fund:
It also enables law enforcement personnel to identify and return stolen vehicles, encourages safe and responsible snowmobile use, and promotes respect for public lands. Registration funds also enable local, state and federal land managers to better manage our natural resources.
Annually, more than $700,000 is granted for on-the-ground trail improvements and grooming.
The Colorado Wetlands Partnership is an endeavor to protect wetlands and wetland-dependent wildlife through the use of voluntary, incentive-based mechanisms. Furthermore, the Wetlands Initiative embraces cooperation with private landowners, municipalities, other state and federal agencies, and other non-governmental organizations in the pursuit of voluntary wetlands protection.