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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.

Grant Update:

This grant is currently closed.

Children playing on a modern blue and grey playground structure at Birch Park in Rifle, Colorado, supported by LWCF grant funding.

Children playing on a modern blue and grey playground structure at Birch Park in Rifle, Colorado, supported by LWCF grant funding.
 

$96M

distributed in Colorado

1,046

grants awarded in Colorado

60

years of improvements

Wright Park in the City of Lakewood, Colorado, showcasing park improvements, new amenities, and community facilities, supported by LWCF grant funding.

New Grants Manual

This manual is designed for new grant applicants. It provides guidance on the application process - covering eligibility, required documents, timelines, and project selection - as well as the pre-award and post-award phases for selected projects.

Download Grant Manual

Grant Decision and Award Process

Grant Submissions

2025 grant applications are listed here.

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
      Aerial view of park construction at Trent Park in Silverthorne, Colorado, supported by LWCF grant funding.

      Aerial view of park construction at Trent Park in Silverthorne, Colorado, supported by LWCF grant funding.

      Compliance Manual

      Since 1965, LWCF has protected hundreds of public outdoor recreation sites across Colorado in perpetuity. As a condition of grant funding, these sites remain dedicated to public outdoor recreation and are subject to ongoing stewardship.

      This manual outlines common compliance scenarios for landowners responsible for meeting LWCF requirements. Contact CPW before planning site changes, or to discuss general compliance requirements.

      Download Compliance Manual

      Contact

      Please email any questions about the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) program, to: