State Forest State Park colorful landscape with aspen trees and mountains at sunset.

About the Grants

Partners in the Outdoors Grant Program

The Partners in the Outdoors Program is a platform for networking and collaboration to advance and balance outdoor recreation and conservation in Colorado. To support these efforts, Colorado Parks and Wildlife provides grant funds to assist our partners across the state who are helping us achieve this goal.

Currently Closed: The next round of grant applications will open on June 1, 2026.

grants awarded in 2025

$141,714

awarded in 2025

189

recipients since 2014

$1,153,266

awarded since 2014

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted online. You can apply for a grant in an amount up to $10,000. Applications will open on June 1, 2026.

Step 1: Check Eligibility

Eligible applicants:

This grant opportunity is available to all organizations who do projects and programming at a local, regional, and/or statewide scale in Colorado.

Non-profit organizations, Tribes, school districts, and government entities.
Matching funds are not required, but they are strongly recommended.

Your organization is eligible for a Partners in the Outdoors Grant even if you’ve already received funding from another CPW grant program this year. However, please note that reviewers will take this into consideration when making final selections and your application may be less competitive if you have already been awarded significant funding from programs such as the Outdoor Equity Grant Program, Regional Partnerships Initiative, Fishing is Fun grant, etc.

Organizations are welcome to submit more than one application for the review committee to consider, but only one of the two projects may be funded.

Ineligible applicants:

Previous awardees are eligible to apply again. However, If your organization has been awarded a Partners in the Outdoors grant for the past 3 consecutive years, you are not eligible to apply this year.
Awardees who fail to complete the grant requirements will be ineligible to apply the following year.

Step 2: Choose a Project

Project Requirements:

Projects and programs must occur in the state of Colorado. We will consider organizations who are headquartered outside of Colorado, however, grant recipients are expected to have local ties to Colorado communities and the specific project or program must take place within Colorado.
Projects must be collaborative in nature. Since our program is rooted in partnerships, we support projects and programs that facilitate collaboration and relationship building between different organizations.
Projects must address one or more priority areas identified in the 2024-2028 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP).
The work must take place during the grant cycle (June 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027)

Access and Opportunity

Goal: All Coloradans and visitors have access to and opportunity for sustainable outdoor recreation.

Stewardship

Goal: Coloradans and visitors safely enjoy and care for natural and cultural resources and commit to stewarding them for future generations.

Land, Water, and Wildlife Conservation

Goal: Priority lands and waters are conserved to support sustainable outdoor recreation, wildlife and habitats.

Financial Sustainability

Goal: Enhanced and varied funding sources combined with greater collaboration across recreation and conservation sectors directs more resources to support outdoor recreation and conservation.

Step 3: Compile your Application

Compile your Application

Grant Amount: Applicants may request up to $10,000.

Application Process: Applications can be submitted online between June 1, 2026 and July 18, 2026. Applicants are highly encouraged to view the application and log into the application platform before July so you have adequate time to ask questions and troubleshoot any technical issues.

What information will be requested on the full application?

Information about your organization including name, location, type of organization, mission statement, website, and contact information
A project/program description
How your project advances the 2024-2028 SCORP Priority Areas
A timeline for project completion
A description of partners involved in the project and the roles that they play. Letters of support from the partner/s involved are optional.
A description of the communities you serve and who your intended audience is
An explanation of your proposal’s desired outcomes and how you plan to measure the success of your project
A proposed budget and budget narrative

Step 4: Review and Approval

Review and Approval

Applications are reviewed and scored by a team of CPW staff members who represent diverse roles, programs, areas of expertise, and geographic locations. Rubric items include, but are not limited to:

How well does the project support the SCORP priorities?
Is the project or initiative a collaborative effort involving partners?
Does this project fill a unique niche or address an issue in an innovative way?
Will this project benefit community members in an impactful way?
Is the project well thought out and likely to be successful? Is the proposed budget realistic?
After initial scoring, Partners Program staff will review all applications and make final selections.

All 2026 grant recipients are required to submit a final report by October 1, 2027. The report must include a description of the project and outcomes, key metrics used to measure success, notable highlights, an itemized list of expenses, and photos.

Funding

Funding availability varies by year. In 2025, we awarded 18 out of 100 applications. This totaled $141,714, which was 15% of the total grant dollars applied for. We may award partial funding to applicants, depending on the availability of funding and number of requests received.

Grant Deadlines

Key Topic	Description	Date
Applications Open		June 1, 2026
Applications Close		July 18, 2026
Selections Made		Late August to early September, 2026
Money Disbursed		Late September to early October, 2026
Final Reports Due		October 1, 2027

Partners Grants

Previous Recipients

Previous grant applications are listed here.

2024

10Four
Adaptive Adventures
Blackpackers
Casting for Recovery, Inc.
City of Rocky Ford
Colorado Canyons Association
Colorado Mountain Club
Keystone Policy Center (fiscal sponsor of Next 100 Colorado)
La Plata Open Space Conservancy
La Plata Youth Services

Mountain Roots
New Treks
Outdoor Lab Foundation
Running Rivers
Southern Colorado Community Action Agency - Youth Services
Southwest Conservation Corps
TEENS, Inc.
The Buddy Program
Trust for Public Land
Voices of the Land

2023

Ascendigo Autism Services, Inc.
Blackpackers
Bluff Lake Nature CenterColorado Alliance for Environmental Education
Colorado High Country Educational Treks Inc
Colorado Mountain Club
Colorado Outward Bound School
Cottonwood Institute
EUREKA! McConnell Science Museum
Field Academy
Friends of Cheyenne Mountain State Park
Friends of the Dillon Ranger District
Friends of the Front Range
Wildlife Refuges
Greater Arkansas River Nature Organization
Keystone Policy Center on behalf of Next 100 Colorado Coalition
La Plata Open Space Conservancy
Lucky to Ride
Mancos Conservation District
Mancos Gear Share/Mancos Creative District
National Sports Center for the Disabled

New Treks
Outdoor Lab Foundation
Outdoor Wilderness Lab (OWL)
Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory
Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory dba Bird Conservancy of the
Rockies
Running Rivers
Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals and Together Outdoors
Southern Colorado Community Action Agency - Ignacio Youth Services
Summit School District/Silverthorne Elementary
TEENS, Inc.
The Buddy Program (TBP)
The Lockwood Foundation
The Matthews House
Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership
Village Exchange Center
Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado
Western Slope Conservation Center
Wildlands Restoration Volunteers

2022

Ascendigo Autism Services, Inc.
Catamount Institute
Colorado High Country Educational Treks
Colorado Mountain Bike Association
Colorado Wildlife Federation
Continental Divide Trail Coalition
Environmental Learning for Kids (ELK)
EUREKA! McConnell Science Museum
High Desert DEVO
Keystone Policy Center/ Routt Recreation & Conservation
Roundtable
Lincoln Hills Cares
Lucky to Ride
New Treks
Next 100 Colorado (facilitated by Keystone Policy Center)
Rocky Mountain Bird Observatory DBA Bird Conservancy of the Rockies
San Luis Valley Great Outdoors (SLV GO!)
The Kaleidoscope Project (TKP)
The Nature Connection
Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership
Trailhead Institute dba ARISE Beyond Barriers
Vibe Tribe Adventures
Vida Foundation
Wild Bear Nature Center
Wilderness Workshop
Wildlands Restoration Volunteers
Youth Seen

2020 to 2021

2020

The Partners in the Outdoors Grant Program was not conducted this year due to the global pandemic.

2021

Blackpackers
Cal-Wood Education Center
Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust
Colorado FourteenersInitiative
Colorado High Country Educational Treks Inc.
Colorado Tree Coalition
Colorado Trout Unlimited
Colorado West Land Trust
EUREKA! McConnell Science Museum
Greater Arkansas River Nature Association
Groundwork Denver
Hispanic Access Foundation
Keep it Colorado
Lincoln Hills Cares
Lucky to Ride and ELK
Montezuma Land Conservancy
National Forest Foundation
Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation
Town of Pagosa Springs
Vibe Tribe Adventures
Vida Foundation
Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado
Wilderness Workshop
Wildlands Restoration Volunteers

2014 to 2019

2014

Ducks Unlimited
Larimer County
Trout Unlimited

2015

Pioneer Historical Society of Bent County
Nature and Raptor Center of Pueblo
Friends of Lory State Park
Cal-Wood Education Center
Yampatika- Environmental Literacy Program
Montrose Recreation District
Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education

2016

Americas For Conservation + The Arts
Big City Mountaineers
Environmental Learning for Kids
Cal-Wood Education Center
City of Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services
Colorado Outward Bound School
Denver Police Activity League
Friends of Mueller State Park
Friends of Staunton State Park
Greater Arkansas River Nature Association
Gold Belt Tour Scenic and Historic Byway Association
The Nature Connection Coalition- Western Slope Conservation Center
Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado
Yampatika

2017

Big City Mountaineers
Cal-Wood Education Center
Colorado Outward Bound School
Colorado Wildlife Federation
Environmental Learning for Kids
Friends of the Dillon Ranger District
Friends of Staunton State Park
Greater Arkansas River Nature Association
Rocky Mountain Wild
South Metro Pheasants Forever
Teens, Inc.
Trails 2000
Town of Oak Creek
Western Slope Conservation Center
Yampatika

2018

Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
CO Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust
CO Outward Bound School
Crested Butte Land Trust
Friends of Mueller State Park
Outdoor Buddies
Palmer Land Trust
Pheasants Forever
Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance
Rocky Mountain Wild
Trips for Kids
Yampa Valley Sustainability Council

2019

Cal-Wood Education Center
Climbers for Bat Conservation, Colorado Natural Heritage Program
Colorado Cattleman’s Agricultural Land Trust
Colorado Mountain Club
Colorado Outdoor and Health Collaborative
Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association
Crested Butte Land Trust
Friends of Roxborough State Park
Groundwork Denver
Jefferson County Open Space
Lincoln Hills Cares
Metro Denver Nature Alliance
The Trust for Public Land

Meet our Grant Recipients

Check out these highlights from a few of our past Partners in the Outdoors grant recipients.

2025 Recipients

Adaptive Sports Center

This grant supports the Adaptive Sports Center’s Community and Group Programming, which together serve over 300 Coloradans with disabilities each year. Funding will help provide need-based scholarships, instructor wages, and program support to ensure safe, high-quality, and affordable adaptive outdoor experiences for both local residents and visiting Colorado-based groups.

Boys and Girls Clubs of Pueblo County

Boys & Girls Clubs of Pueblo County’s Outdoor Equity Program serves hundreds of under-resourced Pueblo youth each year at zero cost to families. The Club will collaborate with Pueblo’s Nature & Wildlife Discovery Center to offer first-time outdoor overnight camping experiences to a total of 25 youth, featuring nature-centered educational activities that build youth’s confidence, curiosity, and appreciation for nature.

Casting for Recovery, Inc.

In 2025, Casting for Recovery will host 4 oncology-informed, fly fishing retreats for Coloradan women in all stages of breast cancer treatment and recovery. CfR retreats provide opportunities for emotional and physical healing and connection with nature and with other women with breast cancer that often transforms their lives.

Colorado Native Plant Society

Colorado Native Plant Society will support the Colorado Statewide Natural Heritage Survey, a 5-year effort led by the Colorado Natural Heritage Program, to map all rare plant and animal species in the state of Colorado. They will train recreationists to collect data for the survey using their phones when they are enjoying the outdoors.

Friends of Youth and Nature

This grant will help youth from our Together for Resilient Youth coalition get access to hunting and fishing education opportunities. Not only does this increase their outdoor skills and conservation knowledge, but it also helps provide for food insecure families to learn new skills through hunting and fishing.

Hunters of Color

Hunters of Color (HOC) will host a low-cost, mentored doe hunt at Golden Gate Canyon State Park in mid-December of 2025. This program is designed to expand equitable access to hunting for BIPOC communities, while welcoming participants from all backgrounds.

La Veta Trails, Inc.

La Veta Trails, Inc. will lead a 12-month Greenhorn Trail Restoration Project in partnership with the USFS, addressing critical maintenance needs on a 7.8-mile remote trail between Rye, CO, and the Bartlett Trail junction. Crews will clear fallen trees, widen the trail corridor, complete a trail assessment with USFS and the Rocky Mountain Field Institute, and develop a mitigation plan, supported by volunteer engagement, training, and GOCO-funded stewardship skill building.

Mosquito Range Heritage Initiative

Mosquito Range Heritage Initiative will engage community residents of all abilities, particularly youth, in environmental education and stewardship opportunities to protect and preserve the forest landscapes, waterways and wildlife that make our Mosquito Range a treasured place.

Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust

The Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust will advance collaborative stewardship planning on private lands. This work focuses on improving forest health, reducing wildfire risk, and protecting critical headwaters by coordinating with private landowners, the Colorado State Forest Service, and other key partners.

RiversEdge West

RiversEdge West's River Stewardship Program mobilizes community volunteers and students to restore and care for riverside lands across Mesa County. By improving habitat, enhancing public access, and engaging underrepresented groups, the program builds long-term stewardship and healthier river systems.

Teens Inc/TeamWorks

Founded in 2010 as a partnership between TEENS, Inc. and Lincoln Hills Cares, TeamWorks provides paid, educational conservation work experiences that connect diverse youth to each other and to Colorado’s natural landscapes. In partnership with Boulder County, this grant will help fund an inclusive and accessible trail around Mud Lake—advancing hands-on projects that foster leadership, collaboration, and environmental stewardship while empowering the next generation of community-minded leaders.

The Greenway Foundation

The Greenway Foundation's environmental education and youth development program, Greenway Leadership Corps (GLC), offers outdoor adventures, stewardship projects, and environmental career exploration for Denver teens from communities of color, low-income households, and other marginalized groups. Monthly gatherings open doors of opportunity by increasing access to natural spaces, building confidence in the outdoors, and introducing potential career paths.

Trailfunds

Trailfunds is an exciting new platform designed to empower trail users and promote trail stewardship. The app features a location-based notification system that connects trail organizations directly with trailheads—and soon, with both trails and geofenced areas as well. Right now, Trailfunds makes it incredibly easy for users to donate to local organizations and help promote trail projects to the wider outdoor community. Later this summer, they plan to expand into a more comprehensive hub for stewardship, offering features like educational resources, volunteer opportunities, and more—all in one place.

Trees, Water & People

Our project is designed to steward a section of the Mancos river under the leadership and guidance of the Traditional Harvest Plan - an Indigenous focused stewardship plan to increase access & outdoor equity, improve climate resilience in a water-scarce state, increase wildlife habitat, and facilitate the convening of diverse stakeholders in the region. The project will monitor ~1.5 miles of the Mancos River where our team has installed Post-Assisted Log Structures (PALS) into the river to improve the riparian ecosystem, promote groundwater infiltration while allowing for sedimentation to settle, and raising surface water to establish wildlife and aquatic habitat.

Western Rivers Conservancy

High in the South San Juan Mountains, Western Rivers Conservancy is working to conserve a key 800-acre inholding in the Rio Grande National Forest with the support of CPW’s Partners in the Outdoors program. The project will secure recreational access to the popular Cliff Lake and protect subalpine habitat for a variety of fish and wildlife, including Canada lynx and Rio Grande cutthroat trout.

Western Slope Conservation Center

The 40-acre, natural riparian Paonia River Park is home to several priority wildlife species and serves over 2,000 monthly visitors including those from Disproportionately Impacted Communities as well as local students. Ongoing improvements, maintenance, and operations includes the completion of the North Fork Valley Riparian Habitat Enhancements project to plant and maintain 200 native plant species over 3 acres with an educational kiosk and wildlife closure gate installation; as well as weekly patrols and seasonal Stewardship Workdays to serve visitors daily and during the annual 2-day Conservation Days and Riverfest events providing educational opportunities for all ages.

Wildlands Restoration Volunteers

Wildlands Restoration Volunteers’ mission is building diverse communities that care for the land, and we do that by organizing projects and training courses for volunteers to come together and restore local ecosystems. Funding from Partners in the Outdoors will support WRV to engage 115 diverse youth as leaders through several in-depth, collaborative programs; to engage 500 volunteers from historically underrepresented communities in stewardship programs; and to build partnerships with other conservation organizations serving these populations.

Yampatika

Yampatika’s project expands its Adult & Community Programs to deepen public engagement in environmental stewardship through seasonal guided hikes, snowshoe tours, and hands-on conservation education. The initiative includes expanded community science surveys for climate-vulnerable species and a summer interpretive internship at Fish Creek Falls, empowering students and community members to participate in science-based monitoring and outdoor education on the Routt National Forest.

Past Recipients

TeamWorks

In the summer of 2024, TeamWorks hired 75 youth to perform 8 weeks of conservation work across the Front Range of Colorado. Urban and rural youth were paired together on crews where they persevered through challenging work in nature, were pushed to take healthy risks and grow as leaders, all while creating meaningful relationships. The Partners in the Outdoors grant funded a collaborative project between TeamWorks and Boulder County at Mud Lake in Nederland, Colorado.

Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP)

With a 2023 Partners in the Outdoors grant, the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership (TRCP) partnered with Minority Outdoor Alliance, Pheasants Forever, and Uncharted Outdoorswomen to host two learn to hunt events in Colorado.

Friends of the Dillon Ranger District

Friends of the Dillon Ranger District used their 2023 Partners in the Outdoors Grant to do several projects including barbed wire fence removal, installing fishing line bins, monitoring Boreal Toads, and surveying fish populations.

Adaptive Adventure

A 2024 Partners in the Outdoors Grant funded Adaptive Adventure’s Access Adventure Multi-Sport and Family Days, which provided adaptive recreation opportunities for people with disabilities.

Casting for Recovery

Grant recipient Casting for Recovery enhances the lives of women with breast cancer by connecting them to each other and nature through the therapeutic sport of fly fishing.

The Blackpackers

The Blackpackers ski and ride program serves Colorado youth and their families who would otherwise have barriers or access issues to participating in skiing or snowboarding.

Running Rivers

A 2024 grant helped Running Rivers host their annual Flyathlon, which pairs trail running and fly fishing into uniquely Colorado events that raise awareness around and money for the advancement of native fish.

Mountain Roots’

Mountain Roots’ Yes! to Adventure summer programs cultivates kids’ love of the outdoors and a strong sense connection to earth, food, and community.

Summer Wilderness Mentorship Program

The Summer Wilderness Mentorship Program, a partnership between La Plata Youth Services and LifeWays, provides vulnerable La Plata County youth with access to therapeutic mentorship and the opportunity to attend a 5-night, 6-day backpacking course with their peers and trained guides.

10Four and Vibe Tribe Adventures

10Four partnered with Vibe Tribe Adventures to offer outdoor youth programs such as horseback riding and field trips to State Parks.

Colorado Canyons Association

Colorado Canyons Association’s 2024 grant supported their riverside education camp, restoration work, and stewardship programs.

Contact

Please email any questions about partners in the outdoors grants to:

Grants Program Coodinator

Shalana Gray
Colorado Parks and Wildlife
[email protected]