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.
$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.
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.
Grant Cycle 2025
How to Apply
Applications are submitted through an online portal, with the link provided here during open grant rounds.
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.
Take the Test
Find out moreSubmit 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
Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC)
Use the IPaC website to generate a report.
Visit the IPaC websiteColorado Conservation Data Explorer (CODEX)
Use the CODEX website to generate a report.
Visit the CODEX WebsiteSubmit 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.
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.
Grant Deadlines
Key Topic |
Description |
Date |
Time |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Application Opens |
2025 LWCF grant opens. |
August 1, 2024 |
9:00 a.m. MT. |
|
A 45-minute webinar covering application requirements and commonly asked questions. |
Thursday, August 8, 2024 |
10:00 a.m. MT. |
|
|
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 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. |
Grant Decision and Award Process
Grant Submissions
2025 grant applications are listed here. Check back soon for public comment information.
- Eads Outdoor Recreation Facility Redevelopment
- Pagosa Springs East Gateway River Park Acquisition, Phase 1 (of 3)
- Colorado City Greenhorn Meadows Park Redevelopment, Phase 3 (of 3)
- Adams County 14 School District Outdoor Recreation Facility Redevelopment
- Pueblo Eagleridge Park Development, Phase 1 (of 2)
- McClave School District Outdoor Recreation Facility Development
- Greeley Shur View Trailhead Construction, Phase 1 (of 5)
- Northglenn Odell Barry Park Redevelopment
- El Paso County Fox Run Canopy Walk Development
- Steamboat Springs Slate Creek Property Acquisition
- Canon City Outdoor Recreation Facility Redevelopment
- Thornton Big Dry Creek Open Space Trailhead Construction
- Carbondale Chacos Park Redevelopment
A map of the locations of the 2025 grant applications.
Contact
Please email any questions about LWCF grants, including new applications or ongoing compliance for existing LWCF sites, to:
Federal Grants Administrator
- Chrystal Read
- Colorado Parks and Wildlife
- 303-791-1957 ext. 4150
- [email protected]