Willow Lake in Saguache County, Colorado.

Colorado Outdoor Regional Partnerships Initiative & Grant Program

The Colorado Outdoor Regional Partnerships Initiative (RPI) advances regionally driven collaboratives working to ensure that Colorado’s land, water, and wildlife thrive while also providing equitable access to quality outdoor recreation experiences. The Initiative convenes broad outdoor interests through Outdoor Regional Partnerships to develop regionally rooted visions and action plans that advance sustainable outdoor recreation and conservation priorities on a landscape level. Combined with Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy (COS or the Strategy), a collaborative vision for conservation, climate resilience, and sustainable recreation, Regional Partnerships are informing strategic investments for Colorado’s outdoors.

Read the 2025 Regional Partnerships Initiative Annual Report and RPI StoryMap for features on Outdoor Regional Partnerships and their work convening broad outdoor interests in support of thriving people, landscapes and wildlife.

Great Sand Dunes National Park.

Outdoor Regional Partnerships Initiative Grant Program

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) offer grant funding to support and grow a network of regionally driven collaboratives working to ensure that Colorado’s land, water, and wildlife thrive while also providing exceptional, equitable, and safe access to quality outdoor recreation experiences through the development and implementation of regional visions, goals, objectives, and collective actions that advance Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy (COS) to achieve the following outcomes:

Conservation and restoration of lands and waters help wildlife and biodiversity thrive; habitats are resilient and connected; communities benefit from healthy ecosystems and agricultural lands.
A diversity of high-quality outdoor recreation experiences are accessible, equitable, and inclusive; management and stewardship enhance benefits and minimize impacts for people, landscapes, and local communities.

By participating in the Regional Partnerships Initiative, coalitions representing regions across Colorado are provided tools, resources, best practices, and connections to a statewide network of recreation and conservation leaders. Designated CPW staff support the growth and development of regional coalitions and provide information as needed.

Read the press release for the 2025 grant awards to learn more about recently funded work.

Currently Open: This grant application opens on April 27th.

Investments

Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy advances coordination, tools, and funding to align, prioritize, and implement strategic actions on the landscape for conservation, outdoor recreation, and climate resilience. The Strategy is not another plan; rather, it supports and aligns many plans, knowledge, and efforts of diverse public and private partners and stakeholders statewide and is a key resource for Regional Partnerships.

Through a shared commitment to the Strategy’s implementation and the continued success of the Regional Partnerships Initiative, CPW and GOCO partnered to invest $50 million over five years (2025-2030) into the Regional Partnerships Initiative grant program. This investment is meant to support Regional Partnerships’ pursuit of conservation and outdoor recreation outcomes. In order to distribute funds across all five years, the program awards about $10 million annually. Awards may support Regional Partnerships' capacity, regional impact projects, planning, and/or early-win projects. The program prioritizes support for coalition evolution from regional planning to regional impact projects, while awards for early win projects depend on available funding.

Geographic Regions Without Existing Regional Partnerships

These grants may support multi-jurisdictional collaborative efforts to establish a new Regional Partnership. This includes scoping and capacity to build a coalition committed to convening a broad range of outdoor interests to identify and advance conservation and sustainable outdoor recreation objectives.

Established Regional Partnerships and the Ute Mountain and Southern Ute Tribes

For established Regional Partnerships and the two sovereign Tribes in Colorado, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, grant funds support collaboration, public involvement, research, regional planning, and the advancement of regionally significant priority projects and initiatives. Regional Partnerships are required to complete a regional plan or vision before applying for Regional Impact grant funding, with exceptions considered for land acquisition proposals.

total grants awarded

Regional Conservation and Recreation Plans completed

$16

million funds awarded since 2021

total Regional Partnerships

91%

of Colorado covered by Regional Partnerships

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants include federally recognized Tribes and lead entities and/or fiscal sponsors of new or existing Regional Partnerships, including Local, County, and Federal governments, Recreation and Metro Districts, for-profit and charitable organizations (tax exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code). A land trust, local government, conservation organization, or other representative (third party) may submit a proposal on behalf of a landowner for land acquisition proposals. If an entity is applying on behalf of an existing Regional Partnership, the proposal must demonstrate full support from the Regional Partnership, including a letter of support.

Please see the RPI map to determine if your region has an active Regional Partnership or is in an area not yet coordinating a Regional Partnership.

RPI Map

How to Apply

Step 1: Review the Grant Process

Review the Grant Process and Guidelines

1. Explore the Regional Partnerships program and criteria, including the RPI Grant Guidelines.

2. Connect with CPW Regional Partnerships Program staff to share proposal concepts.

3. Submit a letter of intent (LOI).
    a. GOCO and RPI program staff will review LOIs to determine if proposal concepts qualify for an invitation to submit a full proposal.
    b. Staff will share initial feedback on proposal concepts with applicants to help inform full proposals.

4. If invited, submit a full proposal that includes a narrative, budget, timeline, maps, and letters of support.

5. Once submitted, proposals go through a multi-phased review process, including an opportunity for written public comments.
    a. Land acquisition and Tribal proposals will not be included in public review.
    b. Public comments will be publicly available and shared with reviewers.

6. If awarded, implement your scope of work and meet the terms of the award.
    a. Submit grant progress reports and reimbursement requests.
    b. Meet any grant stipulations as outlined in the award letter.
    c. Maintain an openness to collaborate and communicate with other Regional Partnerships, including participation in the Regional Partnership Leads network meetings (hosted every other month).
    d. Consistent interaction with CPW and recommended engagement in the Colorado Outdoor Partnership (CO-OP), including attending one or more CO-OP meetings per year.
    e. Recommended in-person attendance at the annual Regional Partnerships Initiative Summit.

Step 2: Choose a Grant

Choose a Grant

Capacity Grants

$50,000 - $150,000 for one to two-year terms for convening Regional Partnerships, including newly forming collaboratives. Funding supports collaboratives that are committed to convening a broad range of outdoor interests to identify and advance conservation and sustainable outdoor recreation objectives in alignment with Colorado’s Outdoor Strategy. Collaboratives focused on areas with no established Regional Partnerships are a priority for this category.
Capacity, Plan Development, and Early Win Grants

$50,000 - $350,000 for one to three-year terms to support Regional Partnerships' work to complete a regional conservation and recreation plan that aligns with Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy and the Key Planning Elements. May include one “early win” project that supports collaboration and/or advances regional planning. This funding is for collaboratives that do not have a completed plan or for those that have a plan but are not ready to come in for a Capacity and Regional Impact Grant.
Capacity and Regional Impact Grants

$250,000 - $2,500,000 for one to three-year terms for on-the-ground projects that advance implementation of priority conservation, restoration, and sustainable recreation projects and/or initiatives that have a significant regional impact at a landscape scale. Funding is for existing collaboratives with completed regional plans.*

Regional impact projects are visionary, demonstrating broad stakeholder support and long-term benefit to Colorado’s lands, water, wildlife, and/or working farms and ranches, while advancing at least one of Colorado's Outdoors Strategy’s North Star Goals. Projects have regional or statewide importance, benefiting multiple counties (though may occur within a single county or municipality), reflecting the priorities of multiple government agencies, private and nonprofit partners, and aligning with Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy goals and objectives. Competitive projects have well-developed plans, matching funds, and momentum. The project considers equitable access to quality outdoor recreation experiences and/or conservation benefits for underrepresented communities (low-income, rural, aging, youth, and communities of color). Proposals from landscape-scale/cross-jurisdictional coalitions and projects that are regionally significant will be the most competitive during the application review and scoring process.

*Exceptions may be considered for large-scale land acquisition opportunities and other priority time-sensitive projects from Regional Partnerships without completed plans. Having a completed and finalized plan is a priority for the RPI program. If a Regional Partnership is interested in pursuing regional impact funding but does not have a final regional plan, please contact Jody Kennedy at [email protected] to discuss this opportunity further.
Southern Ute Indian Tribe and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe Proposals

To advance Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy, competitive RPI grants are available to the Southern Ute Indian Tribe (SUIT) and Ute Mountain Ute Indian Tribe (UMUT). These federally recognized Tribes in Colorado may apply for RPI funding to support capacity, early wins, and regional impact projects in alignment with Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy and the Guidance Framework for Tribal Collaboration. To learn more about this funding opportunity, contact Jody Kennedy ([email protected]).

Matching Contributions

CPW encourages grant applications to include in-kind or cash match and to explore opportunities for strategic project partnerships, resources, and complementary funding sources. In-kind match may include goods or services, volunteer hours, and staff time (outside of normal work hours or job function).

Step 3: Letter of Intent

Letter of Intent

The Letter of Intent (LOI) provides a high-level overview of the applicant’s draft scope of work and funding request. The LOI should adhere to the instructions for the chosen funding category as detailed in the linked LOI forms below. The letter should be submitted as a PDF to [email protected] by May 29th, 2026 at 12 PM, with ‘Letter of Intent - [Coalition Name]’ in the email subject line. A Letter of Intent is not required for Southern Ute Indian Tribe and Ute Mountain Ute Tribe proposals.

Letter of Intent Review

After an LOI is submitted, GOCO and CPW Regional Partnerships staff will review the proposal concepts. This review includes determining which concepts qualify for an invitation to submit a full proposal. Following this review, strategic feedback will be shared with the expectation that applicants will integrate it into a full proposal.

Step 4: Review Application Resources

Submit an Application

Applicants who meet the basic grant requirements will be invited to submit a full application via a simple Word doc form. Final applications require a budget, timeline, letters of support, and a narrative description of how the collaborative is committed to advancing the Regional Partnerships Initiative grant program criteria.

Final applications are due July 22nd at 5 PM.

RPI Grant Resources

Contracting & Grant Management Resources

Step 5: Submit an Application

Submit an Application

Final applications are due July 22nd at 5 PM.

Step 6: Scoring Applications & Grant Criteria

Scoring Applications

Grant applications are made available for public comment (except land acquisition and Tribal proposals) and reviewed by regional CPW staff, the CO-OP Scoring Committee, and Coordinating Partners, in collaboration with the State Trails Committee. Applicants will be invited to present their proposals to the Scoring Committee in late September. Applications will be scored based on selection criteria. The CO-OP Scoring Committee and Coordinating Partners then make recommendations for full or partial funding, with final approval made by CPW and GOCO leadership and the GOCO Board of Directors in December.

Application Selection Criteria

An application will be scored based on the criteria provided. Failure to respond to any question in the application or to provide a comprehensive budget, timeline, or letters of support will reduce the proposal’s score. Final funding decisions will consider the evaluation criteria in conjunction with the program's overall goals, ensuring that a balanced portfolio of all funding awards reflects both recreation and conservation outcomes over time.

During the Letter of Intent review and feedback phase of the application cycle, GOCO and CPW staff will share strategic feedback on proposals with the expectation that feedback will be integrated into the final submitted application.

Please read and understand all criteria and involve regional/field CPW staff in planning and proposal development, along with additional key stakeholders.

Evaluation Criteria for Capacity Category Proposals

Plan Implementation Grants: Additional Criteria

Long-term Sustainability and Community Benefit [20 Points]
- The proposal clearly articulates a strategy and structure for building and sustaining a standing multi-jurisdictional Regional Partnership with community buy-in and benefit, including developing a governance structure with guidelines for decision-making and membership.
- For new partnerships, the proposal outlines the process for the development and formalization of a coalition in an area that does not currently have a Regional Partnership and includes support from local leadership in standing up this new effort.
- For existing partnerships, the proposal outlines the long-term plan for coalition capacity, including staffing, projected needs, and a diversified-funding strategy.
Outreach, Representation, & Equity [25 Points]
- The proposal details clear methods for building a Regional Partnership with broad outdoor interests in an equal and balanced manner, that include (but are not limited to):
  - Outdoor recreation user groups, including motorized and non-motorized
  - Agriculture, ranching, and working private lands
  - Recreation industry or economic development
  - Wildlife and natural resource conservation
  - Hunting and fishing
  - Local government
  - Appropriate land management agencies in the region, including the Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, National Park Service, Land Trusts, etc.
  - Indigenous communities and Tribal governments, as appropriate
- The proposal effectively demonstrates how it will conduct public outreach and engagement of broad outdoor interests and sectors, including underrepresented communities (low-income, rural, aging, youth, and communities of color), to ensure that the Regional Partnership reflects community values, experiences, and perspectives.
Building Blocks for Regional Planning & Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy Implementation [25 Points]
- Anticipated outcomes and deliverables are concrete, achievable within the grant term, and directly support a strong foundation for regional planning that identifies a long-term vision for conservation and outdoor recreation in the region, landscape-level priorities, strategies, and actionable projects that align with Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy, and considers other local, regional, and state plans.
Contingency Planning [5 Points]
- The described strategies and tools for contingency planning enhance the partnership's ability to overcome anticipated roadblocks, ensuring the long-term resiliency of the coalition.
Budget Feasibility and Sustainability [10 Points]
- Applicants provide a budget and budget narrative that is feasible, accurate, and cost-effective, while also showing consideration for long-term stewardship and diversified funding.
Timeline [5 Points]
- Applicants provide a timeline that is feasible, well thought out, accurate, and achievable.
Letters of Support [10 Points]
- Letters of support are from key entities, such as federal, state, Tribal, and local land managers, key stakeholders, and local governments.
- Letters of support are distinct and demonstrate how the undersigned partners are actively supportive of a collaborative regional partnership.

Evaluation Criteria for Capacity, Plan Development, and Early Win Proposals

Coalition Integrity and Longevity [15 Points}
- The proposal clearly articulates how the Regional Partnership governance structure and decision-making framework engages broad outdoor interests in an equal and balanced manner, and include (but are not limited to):
  - Outdoor recreation user groups, including motorized and non-motorized
  - Agriculture, ranching, and working private lands
  - Recreation industry or economic development
  - Wildlife and natural resource conservation
  - Hunting and fishing
  - Local government
  - Appropriate land management agencies in the region, including the Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, National Park Service, Land Trusts, etc.
  - Indigenous communities and Tribal governments, as appropriate
- The Regional Partnership has minimal representation gaps, and it engages in continuous efforts to support, retain, and engage broad outdoor interests.
Strategic Regional Plan Development [20 Points]
- The proposal details a phased approach for developing a regional plan that identifies a long-term vision for conservation and outdoor recreation in the region, landscape-level priorities, strategies, and actionable projects that align with Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy, and considers other local, regional, and state plans.
- The proposal outlines clear and robust processes for setting wildlife and natural resource objectives and sustainable outdoor recreation objectives with consideration for CPW’s Key Planning Elements.
- The proposal effectively demonstrates how it will apply cross-jurisdictional/landscape-scale climate-resilient conservation, restoration, and outdoor recreation data, mapping, and decision support tools to inform a regional plan with the help of Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy Resources Hub.
Community Outreach and Engagement [15 Points]
- There is a clear plan for public engagement and community outreach during plan development ensuring the plan is inclusive of community goals and diverse interests.
- The methods for capturing community input are designed to be reflective of the demographic profile of the region. There is evidence of considering or utilizing the Guidance Framework for Tribal Collaboration and the EDI Resource & Action Guide.
Collaborative Early Win Project [15 Points]
- The proposal describes an Early Win project with a singular, modest, and achievable scope of work that collaboratively advances Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy and supports coalition momentum.
- The project is collaboratively identified with coalition membership and has secured broad stakeholder support, including commitment from local government and appropriate land managers/agencies.
- The proposed early win project details clear metrics, deliverables, and scope, with a funding preference given to on-the-ground projects that are completed in the ensuing field season.
Contingency Planning [10 Points]
- The described strategies and tools for contingency planning enhance the partnership's ability to overcome anticipated roadblocks, ensuring the long-term resiliency of the coalition.
Budget Feasibility and Sustainability [10 Points]
- Applicants provide a budget and budget narrative that is feasible, accurate, and cost-effective, while also showing consideration for long-term stewardship and diversified funding.
Timeline [5 Points]
- Applicants provide a timeline that is feasible, well thought out, accurate, and achievable.
Letters of Support [10 Points]
- Letters of support are from key entities, such as federal, state, Tribal, and local land managers, key stakeholders, and local governments.
- Letters of support are distinct and demonstrate how the undersigned partners are actively supportive of a collaborative regional partnership.
- For an “early win” project, the proposal includes an official letter of support or resolution from the governing body with authority over the project site.

Evaluation Criteria for Capacity and Regional Impact Proposals

Coalition Integrity and Longevity [20 Points]
- Representation and Capacity: The partnership describes how it will conduct ongoing, robust capacity. There is a clear strategy for supporting, retaining, and engaging a broad coalition of members while implementing priorities and leveraging collaborative project opportunities across regional entities. The Regional Partnership governance structure and decision-making framework engages broad outdoor interests, with consideration for engaging underrepresented communities, in an equitable and balanced manner, and includes (but are not limited to):
  - Outdoor recreation user groups, including motorized and non-motorized
  - Agriculture, ranching, and working private lands
  - Recreation industry or economic development
  - Wildlife and natural resource conservation
  - Hunting and fishing
  - Local government
  - Appropriate land management agencies in the region, including the Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, National Park Service, Land Trusts, etc.
  - Indigenous communities and Tribal governments, as appropriate
- The Regional Partnership has minimal representation gaps and it engages in continuous efforts to support, retain, and engage broad outdoor interests.
- Sustainable Funding: The Regional Partnership demonstrates consideration for long-term sustainable funding, including diversified funding sources to support capacity and implementing projects and initiatives identified in the regional plan.
Regional Impact and Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy Alignment [30 Points]
- Plan Completion: The Regional Partnership has published a final regional plan* that demonstrates support of diverse perspectives, sectors, and communities (rural and urban); incorporates climate-resilient conservation, restoration, and outdoor recreation data, mapping tools, and/or decision support tools, and drives meaningful actions for the outdoors.

*Exceptions may be considered for large-scale land acquisition opportunities and other priority time-sensitive projects from Regional Partnerships without completed plans. Having a completed and finalized plan is a priority for the RPI program. If a Regional Partnership is interested in pursuing regional impact funding but does not have a finalized regional plan, please contact Jody Kennedy at [email protected] to discuss this opportunity further.

Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy Alignment: The proposal centers a visionary project that directly ties into the Regional Partnerships’ Plan and aligns with Colorado's Outdoors Strategy goals and objectives, demonstrating consideration for long-term conservation and recreation outcomes, explaining how both objectives are being advanced in the region, even if the proposed project is advancing just one of these areas. The proposal advances one or more Collective Strategies of Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy (pages 33-41).
Regional Impact: The proposal is collaborative, multi-jurisdictional (benefiting multiple counties/agencies), and connects landscape-scale geography (such as wildlife corridors, regional trail networks, or recreation sheds) to demonstrate significant regional or statewide outcomes. Regional Impact projects stand out for their scale, complexity, and multi-faceted benefits.
Buy In: The proposal demonstrates broad support for the project from conservation, recreation, private lands, and government entities, including appropriate local, state, Tribal and federal land managers. For projects within the Brunot Area, demonstrated support from the UMUT and SUIT is required.
Multi-Benefit: The proposal considers additional benefits to communities, wildlife, water, and/or landscapes. This may include equitable access to quality outdoor recreation experiences for underrepresented communities (low-income, rural, aging, youth, and communities of color), conserving climate-resilient landscapes, habitat restoration, and/or unique volunteer and land stewardship opportunities.
Detailed Project Management and Outcomes [20 Points]
- Work Plan: The proposal provides a detailed description of project execution, clearly outlining the work plan, best management practices, and necessary resources for implementation. Clear responsibilities are defined for all aspects of the project oversight, including design, construction, management of crews/contractors, and overall planning/implementation.
- Outcomes: The proposal lists clear, measurable project outcomes and evaluation metrics (qualitative and quantitative) to track project success.
- Project Site Maps
- Contingency Planning: The proposal provides clear contingency measures, strategies, and tools to overcome anticipated roadblocks or project delays.
Environmental Compliance [5 Points]
- The proposal demonstrates clear environmental compliance or describes a clear path forward for environmental compliance before on-the-ground project implementation. This includes but is not limited to: NEPA decisions and categorical exclusions, archaeological clearances, and any other mandatory Tribal, federal, state, or local clearances. This includes consideration for any work within the Brunot Area.
Budget Feasibility and Sustainability [10 Points]
- Applicants provide a budget and budget narrative that is feasible, accurate, and cost-effective, while also showing consideration for long-term stewardship and diversified funding.
Timeline [5 Points]
- Applicants provide a timeline that is feasible, well thought out, accurate, and achievable.
Letters of Support [10 Points]
- Letters of support are from key entities, such as federal, state, Tribal, and local land managers, key stakeholders, and local governments. Projects that demonstrate support from local government officials, for example Board of County Commissioners or City/Town Councils, and federal or state land managers will be prioritized for funding.
- Letters of support are distinct and demonstrate how the undersigned partners are actively supportive of a collaborative regional partnership.
- The proposal includes an official letter of support or resolution from the governing body with authority over the project site.

CO-OP Scoring Committee Members

As a statewide cooperative, the CO-OP advises on the Regional Partnerships Initiative, established by Executive Order B 2020 008. Committee members are selected based on balancing outdoor interest areas/sectors and availability.

Colorado’s Cattlemen’s Association
Colorado Counties, Inc
Colorado Off-Highway Vehicle Coalition
Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Colorado Wildlife Federation
Conservation Colorado
Department of Natural Resources
Great Outdoors Colorado
Safari Club International

Grant Deadlines

Key Topic	Date	Description
Applications Open	April 27th, 2026
RPI Grant Webinar and Q&A	May 13th, 2026 from 1 PM - 2:30 PM MST	Register via Zoom
Letter of Intent Due	May 29th, 2026 at 12 PM MST
Application Due	July 22nd, 2026	5 p.m. MT
Application Presentations	September 21st & 22nd, 2026
Awards Announced	December 11, 2026
Grant Agreements Finalized	Feb 2027 - Apr 2027

REGIONAL PARTNERSHIPS INITIATIVE

Current Outdoor Regional Partnerships

Canyons & Plains Outdoor Partnership
Eastern Colorado Grasslands Coalition
Gunnison Sustainable Tourism and Outdoor Recreation
Metro Denver Nature Alliance (Metro DNA)
Montelores
NoCo Places
Northeast Colorado Regional Partnership
Northwest Colorado Outdoors
Ouray Regional Recreation and Conservation Alliance (ORRCA)
Outside 285
Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance
Pagosa Area Recreation Coalition
Routt Recreation and Conservation Roundtable
San Luis Valley Great Outdoors
Southwest Colorado Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Roundtable
Spanish Peaks Outdoor Coalition
West Slope Outdoors Alliance
Wet Mountain Valley Outdoors
Central Colorado Outdoor Partnership
- Envision Recreation in Balance
- Lake County Outdoor Alliance
Mountain Communities Outdoor Collective
- Eagle County Regional Partnerships Initiative
- Grand PLACES 2050
- Summit County Outdoor Coalition
- Roaring Fork Outdoor Coalition

2026 Colorado Outdoor Regional Partnerships - RPI Map

About the Outdoor Regional Partnerships

Learn more about Outdoor Regional Partnerships and related plans for conservation and recreation.

Annual Reports

Our annual reports highlight the Regional Partnerships Initiative’s progress year by year, including the ongoing CPW grant program and coalitions’ engagement to build a collective and community-driven vision for Colorado’s outdoors.

Explore Annual Reports

StoryMap

Local collaborations in support of thriving people, landscapes, and wildlife statewide.

Explore the StoryMap

Colorado’s Outdoors Strategy

The Strategy is a collaborative vision uniting public and private partners and stakeholders to advance conservation, outdoor recreation, and climate resilience across the state.

Learn more