A child climbing a boulder play feature at Montbello Open Space Park, Denver, funded by ORLP. Photo credit: Mundus Bishop and Scott Dressel-Martin.

About the Grants

Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership Grants

The Outdoor Recreation Legacy Partnership (ORLP) program helps public agencies acquire new parkland and develop outdoor recreation facilities in urban communities.

Managed by the National Park Service (NPS) with Colorado applications coordinated by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), this nationally competitive federal grant program operates under the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) Act. The program targets Census-designated urban areas with a population of at least 25,000, funding land acquisition and development projects that increase outdoor recreation access, align with community needs, leverage partnerships and resources, and promote conservation and ecological benefits.

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Children playing at Montbello Open Space Park, Denver, funded by ORLP. Photo credit: Mundus Bishop and Scott Dressel-Martin.

Program Manual

This manual is designed for new grant applicants. It supplements the federal Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and provides guidance for Colorado applicants on how to apply, covering eligibility, required documents, timelines, and the selection process.

Download Manual

Grant Cycle 2026-2027

How to Apply

Step 1: Check Eligibility

Eligibility Tool

Check your ORLP eligibility using the tool below before preparing an application.

ORLP Eligibility Screening Tool

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

Projects must meet the following minimum eligibility requirements:

Eligible Applicants: Local, county, state, or tribal government agencies, and eligible Urban Indian Organizations, in Colorado.
Location & Population: Project must be located within one or more adjacent Census-designated urban areas with a combined population of at least 25,000 (verify using Census TIGERweb and the 2020 Urban Areas List).
Land protection: Applicants must own the land and be prepared to record a permanent public outdoor recreation deed restriction.

Desirable Attributes

Competitive projects will demonstrate several of the following attributes, which align with the federal selection criteria:

Outdoor recreation access: Expands or improves park access, particularly in low-income areas with inadequate access, enhances visitor safety, builds tribal spaces, or creates hunter education facilities.
Community need: Benefits low-income communities through youth engagement, public land volunteerism, job training, or local recreation programming.
Partnerships and leveraged resources: Demonstrates intergovernmental coordination, public-private partnerships, and alignment with Colorado’s Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP).
Conservation: Protects or restores natural resources, supports wildlife habitat or species recovery, improves air and water quality, or mitigates urban heat islands.
Project feasibility: Demonstrates a sound project plan, match funds, long-term maintenance, and perpetual land protection.

Step 2: Submit a Pre-application

Submit a Pre-Application

Pre-applications must include:

Letter of intent (applicant’s document)
Urban area and population verification (Census screenshot)
Basic area map (applicant’s document)
Information for Planning and Consultation (IPaC) list (online report)
Colorado Conservation Data Explorer (CODEX) report (online report)

Step 3: Submit a Full Application

Submit a Full Application

Full applications must include:

Project narrative (CPW form)
Budget (CPW form)
Timeline (CPW form)
Map – park boundary and construction areas (applicant’s document)
Map – site attributes (applicant’s document)
Site plan (applicant’s document)
Letter(s) of commitment for match (applicant's document)
Signed resolution (CPW template or applicant’s document)
Federal Disclosures & Certifications (CPW form)
Proof of land ownership (title or deed)
Letters of support (applicant’s document) – optional
Photographs (applicant’s document) – optional

CPW Application Forms

Grant Deadlines

Previous Grant Applications

The most recent ORLP project narratives (2024) are available below for reference. While the current NOFO has revised priorities and criteria, these examples remain a useful guide for developing a competitive project narrative.

Denver La Alma-Lincoln Park

Download Project Narrative

Arvada Gold Strike Park