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Wildlife guzzler installation in CPW’s Southwest Region.

Wildlife guzzler installation in CPW’s Southwest Region.

About the Grants

Oil and Gas Compensatory Mitigation Grant Program

The Oil and Gas Compensatory Mitigation Grant helps cover the costs associated with implementing perpetual private land conservation easements held by a third-party land trust. This program may also consider CPW fee-title and CPW-held conservation easement purchases, depending on the program’s priorities and the amount of funding available. The amount of funding available fluctuates based on oil and gas permitting activity and CPW’s continual deployment of mitigation projects. As a result, CPW cannot guarantee a minimum or maximum amount of available funds, but will make decisions and give awards in the best interests of the State.

Currently Open: This grant application is open year round with a bi-annual review process.

Hazardous fence removal project in CPW’s Northwest Region.

Hazardous fence removal project in CPW’s Northwest Region

How to Apply

Funding for this grant comes from fees that CPW collects from oil and gas operators. The Colorado Energy and Carbon Management Commission (ECMC) established new oil and gas regulations in 2020 to meet the requirements of Senate Bill 19-181. These regulations include “mandatory compensatory mitigation” for new oil and gas development occurring within a subset of CPW-mapped high priority habitats (HPH). Oil and gas operators may elect to pay a fee to CPW to meet their compensatory mitigation obligations when permitting new oil and gas disturbance. CPW uses these fees to implement wildlife habitat conservation, restoration and uplift projects, including this grant, to offset the unavoidable adverse impacts associated with oil and gas development activities.

    Step 1: Check Eligibility

    Check Eligibility

    • Applicants must be currently certified by the Department of Regulatory Agencies Division of Conservation as qualified land trusts operating in Colorado, in accordance with section 12-15-104(9) C.R.S., and be in good standing to ensure the long-term protection of conserved properties held by the applicant.
    • Projects must meet the region-specific eligibility requirements for the CPW region the project is located within.
    • Applicants must complete the application worksheet and provide all required project information.
    • Funding is not allowed for certain conservation easement transaction costs, including landowner attorney fees and third-party attorney fees in excess of $20,000 (please provide a detailed description of items being requested for funding).
    Step 2: Check Region-Specific Requirements and Preferences

    Region-Specific Requirements and Preferences

    Before compiling your application, please check the region-specific requirements for your project.

      Northwest Region

      Requirements

      • Projects must be located within: Moffat, Rio Blanco, Garfield, Mesa, or Jackson Counties (See Figure 1)
      • Projects must be permanent conservation easements.
      • In some instances fee-title land acquisition projects may be considered.

      Preferences

      • Projects in close proximity to active oil and gas disturbance will be prioritized.
        • CPW will review and prioritize projects in close proximity to oil and gas developments that have generated the mitigation funds currently available.
      • Projects containing CPW-mapped High Priority Habitat for either: elk, mule deer, pronghorn, greater sage-grouse, or Columbian sharp-tailed grouse.
      • Projects adjacent to existing protected/conserved areas.
      Oil and Gas Compensatory Mitigation Grant Program - Northwest Region Map
      Northeast Region

      Requirements

      • Projects must be located in the following pronghorn or deer data analysis units:
        • PH-1, PH-2, or PH-4
        • D-5 or D-44 (See Figure 2)
      • Projects must be permanent conservation easements.
      • In some instances, fee-title land acquisition projects may be considered.

      Preferences

      • Projects containing one of the following CPW-mapped High Priority Habitats: mule deer severe winter range, mule deer winter concentration area, or pronghorn winter concentration area.
      • Projects located within the HUC8 watershed for Middle South Platte-Sterling. CPW’s upcoming Statewide Habitat Conservation and Connectivity Plan identifies the Middle South Platte-Sterling watershed as having the highest habitat intactness and highest habitat priority in CPW’s NE Region. ○ Located outside the ECMC’s GIS Online Tool layer for “ > 5 active O&G locations per square mile” (see the first item under “Parks & Wildlife (CPW)” folder).
      • Projects adjacent to existing protected/conserved areas.
      Oil and Gas Compensatory Mitigation Grant Program - Northeast Region Map
      Southwest Region

      Requirements

      • Projects must be located within the E-31 big game Data Analysis Unit as specified on the map (See Figure 3)
      • Projects must be permanent conservation easement agreements.
        • In some instances fee-title land acquisition projects may be considered.

      Preferences

      • Projects in the San Juan Basin.
      • Projects in close proximity to oil and gas disturbance.
        • CPW will review based on proximity to oil and gas developments that have generated the mitigation funds currently available.
      • Projects containing CPW-mapped High Priority Habitats for either elk or mule deer.
      • Projects adjacent to existing protected/conserved areas.
      Oil and Gas Compensatory Mitigation Grant Program - Southwest Region Map
      Southeast Region

      There are currently no SB-181 compensatory mitigation funds available in CPW’s Southeast Region. This will be updated once funding is available within this region.

      Step 3: Submit Application

      Submit Application

      Applications can be submitted at any time and will be reviewed by CPW’s Regional and Statewide SB-181 Compensatory Mitigation Advisory Committees on a bi-annual basis. Decisions on funding will typically be made in February (for applications received between August 1 and January 31) and August (for applications received between February 1 and July 31) of each year (see grant timeline table). CPW reserves the right to review applications and make award decisions outside of these windows.

      Please email your completed application worksheet and other supporting documentation to the corresponding CPW Regional Energy Liaison listed below, with the subject line: “SB-181 Mitigation Grant Application - (DATE OF SUBMISSION)”

      Download Application
      Step 4: Review and Approval

      Review and Approval

      Grant money will typically be awarded as a reimbursement following successful closing of the conservation easement. Successful applicants must provide copies of closing documents and an itemized list of transaction costs (e.g., appraisals, mineral reports, surveys, closing costs, etc.) that grant funding is being used for. Additional items (e.g., W-9 and insurance information) may be requested in order to process payment. CPW makes payments through the State’s centralized accounting system. Applicants are encouraged to register in Colorado VSS to become payees in the State system. Applicants are also encouraged to consider signing up for ACH/EFT payments. ACH/EFT payments provide the advantage of ensuring quick and secure payments for the goods and services that contractors provide to the State. ACH/EFT payments help avoid delays in mail and the possibility of lost warrants, which will further delay payment. DNR’s goal is to pay contractors as soon as possible — signing up for the ACH/EFT is an important step in making this happen. For additional information about signing up for ACH/EFT payments, please contact the Regional CPW Energy Liaison listed below.

      Successful applicants must submit a copy of the conservation easement’s annual monitoring report to CPW’s Regional Energy Liaison by January 1st every year following project completion. 

      Grant Timeline

      Application Submission Period

      Expected Reward Decision

      February 1st and July 31st

      August

      August 1st and January 31st

      February

      Contact

      Please email any questions about the Oil and Gas Compensatory Mitigation grants to:

      Southeast Region