Final reminder to submit application by April 8 for Colorado Outdoor Equity Grant Board funding
Travis Duncan
DENVER - The Colorado Outdoor Equity Grant Board is accepting applications through April 8 to fund programs that bring about transformative change throughout communities. Program or project focus should aim to address one or more of the following issues Colorado youth (0-25) and their families face: racial inequities in accessing the outdoors, improving environmental justice, accessibility to the outdoors for Coloradans from underrepresented communities including BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color), LBGTQ+, peoples with disabilities, and/or Native Americans and Indigenous peoples; providing environmental, experiential, outdoor, or stewardship and conservation education for future career development.The board, created by the passage of House Bill 21-1318, is composed of members representing communities that have faced barriers to accessing Colorado’s outdoors.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is committed to investing in and expanding access to the outdoors for all Coloradans.
“Every child should have the opportunity to experience the natural resources of our state,” said Colorado Outdoor Equity Grant Board Chair Yesica Chavez. “These grants will close the gap between underserved youth and outdoor recreation by funding programs that are already doing so or hoping to start.”
“The Colorado Outdoor Equity Grant Board wants to hear from the community about what their needs are,” said CPW Director Dan Prenzlow. “This first round of applications will inform the development of future grant processes and strategic investments in programs and projects that break down barriers and increase access to the outdoors.”
Programs or projects should strive to be culturally responsive and should raise awareness of and/or seek to address the root cause of the disparities Colorado youth experience while trying to access the outdoors, whether youth are from an urban or rural community.
CPW and the OEGB seek to increase access and opportunity for underserved youth and their families to experience Colorado’s open spaces, state parks, public lands and the many other outdoor areas for which the state is famous.
Grant application details:
Eligible applicants: nonprofit organizations, Tribes, schools, governments and for-profit businesses.
The following criteria will be used in the review of grant proposals:
- Organizational commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion in outdoor recreation, conservation and environmental education
- Demonstrated need and commitment to diverse voices and perspectives
Opens: March 7
Informational/Q&A Session: March 17 from 2 - 4 p.m.
Applicants notified of grant decision: May 1
Award/contract process begins: May 6
Grants awarded: May 31
Application deadline: April 8 at 5 p.m.
Award total: $550,000 for this grant cycle (maximum grant request: $250,000)
Although the cap is set high, the Board would like to fund as many programs and or projects as possible. All are encouraged to apply.
Applicants can submit their Colorado Outdoor Equity Grant Application here.
Applicants: If you need any assistance as you work through the grant application process, please contact Colorado Outdoor Equity Grant Board Chair Yesica Chavez or CPW Assistant Director of Information and Education Lauren Truitt.
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Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is an enterprise agency, relying primarily on license sales, state parks fees and registration fees to support its operations, including: 43 state parks and more than 350 wildlife areas covering approximately 900,000 acres, management of fishing and hunting, wildlife watching, camping, motorized and non-motorized trails, boating and outdoor education. CPW's work contributes approximately $6 billion in total economic impact annually throughout Colorado.