Memorial Day Office Closure
Colorado Parks and Wildlife offices will be closed for the state holiday, Monday, May 25. To honor military members for their service CPW offers active duty military and veteran benefits to enjoy fishing, hunting and state parks.
The Colorado Outdoor Equity Grant Program (OEGP) funds organizations and projects that improve access, representation, meaningful participation, and quality experiences for youth and their families in the Colorado outdoors. Grants of up to $100,000 are available to support non-profit organizations, for-profits, schools and school districts, federally-recognized tribes, and local governments. Grant projects decrease barriers to the outdoors for traditionally-excluded youth, provide responsible recreation experiences, create conservation opportunities, and support job and career training for low-income, racially and ethnically diverse youth, LBGTQ+ youth, the disability community, and/or American Indian and Native youth.
$10.5
Million in Funding Awarded
165
Grants Awarded
79,000
People Reached
56
Colorado Counties Invested in
When you buy a lottery ticket, you're helping create opportunities for youth in the outdoors!
The Outdoor Equity Grant Program (OEGP) is funded through proceeds from the Colorado Lottery. After meeting its statutory caps for operations and Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO), any excess funds support the OEGP and other conservation and education needs in Colorado.
About the Colorado LotteryAdditionally, the Keep Colorado Wild Pass helps fund educational initiatives at CPW. Support Colorado’s natural and recreational resources by purchasing yours!
Purchase a Keep Colorado Wild PassThe Outdoor Equity Grant Program funds a wide variety of outdoor recreation, education, and job training opportunities for youth, from school programs, to summer camps, to internship programs. The list below describes the types of programs funded in 2025. Please note that many projects may span more than one category.
Climbing instructor showing a teen how to climb
The Outdoor Equity Grant Program invests in organizations that increase access to the outdoors for youth and families from communities that are traditionally underrepresented in outdoor recreation and conservation.
Program or project focus should aim to increase access to the outdoors and decrease barriers for Colorado youth (0-25) and their families and:
We recommend completing the answers in your own document and checking the character counts before submitting your Grant Interest Form online via the form. All submissions must be entered via this form by 5 p.m. MT on June 2, 2026. Email submissions will not be accepted.
Applicants who submitted a Grant Interest Form will be notified in August whether they have been selected to move forward to complete a full application.
The Grant Interest Form submission period for the grant is April 30, 2026 – June 2, 2026.
Please watch this informational webinar before you apply.
If you or someone in your community needs the Grant Interest Form translated into another language, please reach out to Andrea Kurth at [email protected].
Applicants with scopes of work that are the most competitive will be selected to complete the online application.
In addition to the information asked in the grant interest form, you will be asked to include the following in your application:
The application period for the grant is August 5, 2026 – September 15, 2026.
This is a highly competitive program. Historically, less than 18% of grant applications are selected for funding.
The Outdoor Equity Grant Board is an independent, decision-making body that sets direction for the grant program, reviews applications and awards grants.
Proposals are reviewed by the Outdoor Equity Grant Program Board and scored based on the following selection criteria:
Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Outdoor Equity Grant Board are committed to improving access, representation, meaningful participation and quality experiences for youth and their families in the Colorado outdoors. Our goal is to build the Colorado of our future through strategic investments that improve the lives and well being of youth and their families.
In July of 2023, OEGP Board adopted the following values:
Key Topic |
Date |
Time |
|---|---|---|
|
April 30, 2026 - June 2, 2026 |
5:00 p.m. MT |
|
|
May 8th |
10:00- 11:30am MT |
|
|
Selected Applicants Notified & Full Application Submission Period |
August 5, 2026 - September 15, 2026 |
5:00 p.m. MT |
|
Applicants Notified of Grant Decision |
November 20, 2026 |
|
|
Award/Contract Process Begins |
January 5, 2027 |
|
|
Funds Disbursed By |
March 30, 2027 |
Awarded organizations make a significant impact by providing access to outdoor recreation, environmental education, and conservation opportunities for underserved communities. These featured grant recipients represent some of the diverse and impactful projects supported by the OEGP across the state.
Bits of Freedom from Beulah, Colorado helps children with physical, intellectual, and developmental disabilities through equine therapeutic riding, which supports balance, coordination, and sensory processing. With grant funding, Bits Of Freedom will expand access and provide scholarships so more children from underserved families can participate in equine-assisted therapy.
Southwest Conservation Corps will use grant funds to provide opportunities for young people to participate in paid conservation work and environmental education. Youth will participate in inclusive skill building experiences such as trail work, habitat restoration, and land stewardship projects across Southwest Colorado and the Four Corners region.
Friends of Youth and Nature (FOYAN) removes financial and geographic barriers to underserved youth in Western Slope communities. FOYAN offers scholarships, transportation, gear and mentored outdoor experiences across Mesa, Delta, Montrose and Ouray Counties. With outdoor equity funds, FOYAN will expand field trips, outdoor education labs and summer camps that expand outdoor education, and land stewardship.
The funding from the Outdoor Equity Grant Program will help Riverside Education Center (REC) expand their outdoor learning opportunities for youth in Mesa County. Funding will support REC in providing accessible activities such as hiking, biking, swimming and environmental education.
Inside Out Youth Services (IOYS) provides safe, affirming spaces and supportive programs for LGBTQIA2+ youth in the Pikes Peak region. They offer leadership development, mental health resources, and community building activities. Funding will support access to IOYS’ Queer Scouts program, which removes barriers so youth can have inclusive and empowering experiences in the outdoors.
With OEGP funding, Colorado Asian Culture and Education Network (CACEN) has created youth outdoor programming to support Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander children and families in connecting with nature together. Grant funds will expand access to culturally-responsive outdoor experiences for underrepresented youth.
Reclaiming language and culture through the outdoors.
A group from the Colorado Center for the Blind sets out on an adventure, using their other senses to explore the outdoors.
Please email any questions about the Outdoor Equity Program grants to:
