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Children on a playground at Coal Creek Park In Erie, funded by LWCF.

Children on a playground at Coal Creek Park In Erie, funded by LWCF.

About the Grants

Land and Water Conservation Fund Grants

From parks to playgrounds, wilderness to wetlands, bicycle paths to hiking trails, the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) has helped government agencies nationwide to protect valuable natural resources and provide meaningful public recreation opportunities since 1965.

Administered locally by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) on behalf of the National Park Service (NPS), the program focuses on land acquisition to create new outdoor spaces, or the development of existing sites and facilities dedicated to public outdoor recreation.

Sign Up for Grant Updates

Currently Closed: This grant application opens every August with an initial deadline in September and secondary deadline in October.

$86

million total distributed in Colorado

1,000+

Colorado-based projects funded

60

years of improvements

New bridge at Bear Creek Trail in Lakewood, funded by LWCF.

New bridge at Bear Creek Trail in Lakewood, funded by LWCF.

About the Grants

Land and Water Conservation Fund Manual

This guide is designed for both new applicants and existing grant recipients and LWCF landowners.

New Applicants: The manual provides comprehensive guidance on how to apply for LWCF funding, covering eligibility, required documents, timelines and the selection process.

Existing Grant Recipients and LWCF Landowners: The manual outlines perpetual stewardship responsibilities to preserve the site’s outdoor recreation benefits for years to come.

Download the Manual

Grant Cycle 2025

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through an online portal, with the link provided here during open grant rounds.

    Step 1: Check Eligibility

    Check If Your Project Is Eligible

    To be eligible for LWCF funding, applicants must meet the following primary criteria:

    • Be a public agency (local, county, state, or tribal) that owns the project site in fee simple.
    • Propose an outdoor recreation project that involves, 1) land acquisition to create a new park or expand an existing one, 2) development of an existing site or facility, or 3) a combination of land acquisition and development.
    • Ensure the project supports outdoor spaces that are open to the public and will be perpetually protected and maintained for outdoor recreation.
    • Request a grant amount between $100,000 - $1,250,000, and provide a 1:1 match, with at least 10% cash.

    Check Eligibility

    This simple test is a good place to start in determining if your project is eligible. For complete eligibility details, refer to the LWCF manual. 

    Step 2: Submit Your Pre-Application

    Submit Your Pre-Application

    You will need to include:

    • A letter of intent
    • Basic area map
    • Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC) resource list (online generated report)
    • Colorado Conservation Data Explorer (CODEX) report (online generated report)

    Application Resources

    Step 3: Submit Your Full Application

    Submit Your Full Application

    You will need to include:

    • Applicant, Project and Property Details
    • Application Questions
    • Boundary Map – Area of Potential Effect (APE)
    • Boundary Map – Rights/Interests
    • Timeline (use the CPW template)
    • Budget (use the CPW template)
    • A site plan
    • Photographs
    • Letters of support
    • Resolution (recommended to use CPW's template)
    • Proof of land ownership (property title, or deed)

    Application Resources

    Having trouble downloading Excel or Word files? Right-click on the link, choose 'Save link as' and download to your desktop or​ designated ​folder.

      Templates
      Example Documents
      Step 4: Application Review
      Children playing on a playground.

      Trails Committee

      Grant Application Review Process

      The State Recreational Trails Committee and its grant review and ranking subcommittees meet to review the grant applications. These meetings are open to the public and provide a platform for verbal comments on the applications.​

      Learn more about the review process

      Grant Deadlines

      Application Opens

      2025 LWCF grant opens.

      August 1, 2024

      9:00 a.m. MT.

      Application Help Webinar 1

      A 45-minute webinar covering application requirements and commonly asked questions.

      Thursday, August 8, 2024

      10:00 a.m. MT.

      Application Help Webinar 2

      A 45-minute webinar covering application requirements and commonly asked questions.

      Monday, August 12, 2024

      2:00 p.m. MT.

      Pre-applications Due

      Pre-applications are due. Upload your pre-application to the Survey Monkey link provided above.

      September 3, 2024

      5:00 p.m. MT.

      Full Applications Due

      Full applications are due. Upload your pre-application to the Survey Monkey link provided above.

      October 1, 2024

      5:00 p.m. MT.

      Review Subcommittee Meeting

      Review Subcommittee Meeting to discuss 2025 LWCF grant applications. To attend, register by clicking on Review Subcommittee Meeting in the Key Topics column.

      November 21, 2024

      8:30 a.m. MT.

      Public Comment Registration Due

      CPW invites public comments for 2025 LWCF grant applications. To register to speak at Applicant Presentations, click on Public Comment Registration Due in the Key Topics column.

      December 10, 2024

      5:00 PM MT

      Applicant Presentations

      2025 LWCF grant applicants present their projects with 10 minutes for the presentation and 5 minutes for subcommittee Q and A. 15 minutes in total (10 for the presentation and 5 for Q and A). Anyone is welcome to join the meeting. To join via Zoom, register by clicking on Applicant Presentations in the Key Topics column.

      December 12, 2024

      12:30 PM MT
      Presentation Schedule

      Grant Decision and Award Process

      Grant Submissions

      2025 grant applications are listed here. Check back soon for public comment information.

      2025 Grant Applications Summary
          Grant Applications
          1. Eads Outdoor Recreation Facility Redevelopment
          2. Pagosa Springs East Gateway River Park Acquisition, Phase 1 (of 3)
          3. Colorado City Greenhorn Meadows Park Redevelopment, Phase 3 (of 3)
          4. Adams County 14 School District Outdoor Recreation Facility Redevelopment
          5. Pueblo Eagleridge Park Development, Phase 1 (of 2)
          6. McClave School District Outdoor Recreation Facility Development
          7. Greeley Shur View Trailhead Construction, Phase 1 (of 5)
          8. Northglenn Odell Barry Park Redevelopment
          9. El Paso County Fox Run Canopy Walk Development
          10. Steamboat Springs Slate Creek Property Acquisition
          11. Canon City Outdoor Recreation Facility Redevelopment
          12. Thornton Big Dry Creek Open Space Trailhead Construction
          13. Carbondale Chacos Park Redevelopment
          Grant Applicant Locations

          A map of the locations of the 2025 grant applications.

          Open the Google Map

          Contact

          Please email any questions about LWCF grants, including new applications or ongoing compliance for existing LWCF sites, to:

          Federal Grants Administrator