Snowmobile Program Grants

The Colorado Snowmobile Program has allocated thousands of grant dollars to successful applicants to purchase new groomers, repair existing groomers, conduct trailhead improvements, construction of permanent groomer and maintenance facilities and for the purchase of signs and trail marking materials. There are two types of grants available.

Currently Open: The Snowmobile Program grant application opens every March with a deadline of April 18, 2025. The Trail Grooming grant application opens in July.

Awarded Grants

$1.9m

Awarded in grants 2024-2025

wildlife rehabilitators

How to Apply

Step 1: Check Eligibility

Check Eligibility

Eligible Snowmobile Program grant projects:

Maintaining, repairing or building new winter trail facilities.
Maintaining, repairing or purchasing new equipment.
Trail support - repair and creation, and other related needs.

Eligible Trail Grooming grant projects:

Trail maintenance, and creation.

Applicants must have an active Special Use permit from the U.S. Forest Service.

Step 2: Compile your Application

Compile your Application

Applications can be submitted via email and standard mail. Email a complete copy to [email protected] or mail a copy of your application and other required documents to Colorado Parks and Wildlife, 13787 S Hwy 85, Littleton, CO 80127. PLEASE DON’T FAX YOUR APPLICATION! Email or USPS mail only.

Application Documents

Before submitting your application, organize your application documents as follows:

Exhibit A: Application Form
Exhibit B: Project Budget
Grant Amount Requested equals the same amount as the Total Use of Grant Funds.
Exhibit C: C-1 or C-2 Land Manager Approval
Capital construction project forms must be completed before your application is submitted.
Exhibit D: Project Selection Criteria
Includes justification or your project as well as notice of intent to present project in front of the Review Committee.
Exhibit E: Maps
Include maps of trails within your system.
Exhibit F: Grooming Permit
Exhibit G: Route Mileage and Description (Excel Work Sheet)
Exhibit H: Workers Compensation Exemption form or Workers Comp Insurance Certificate

Please read carefully the Grooming Billing Guidelines.

Download Cover Letter Download Application

Step 3: Application Review

Application Review

The Snowmobile Program is statutorily created, C.R.S. 33-14-101 through 33-14-119, and is funded through the sale of snowmobile registrations and use permits.. Funds are used to support the Statewide Snowmobile Grant and Grooming Programs as well as support for snowmobile registration operations. Funding is also made available to support safety, education and enforcement patrols. Funding is also provided to the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CIAC). The program’s primary goal is to improve and enhance snowmobile recreation opportunities across the state while promoting the safe and responsible use of snowmobiles. The Snowmobile Program partners with the Colorado Snowmobile Association (CSA) who represents organized snowmobiling within the state.

Snowmobile Grant Review and Ranking Process

The Snowmobile grant review and ranking procedure follows a three-tiered recommendation and approval process.

Applicants are encouraged to make a presentation to the subcommittee and be available if to answer questions form the subcommittee.
Applications are scored and evaluated by the Snowmobile Grant Review and Ranking Subcommittee which ranks the applications in order of recommended funding priority. All projects are evaluated and ranked against each other based on need and urgency, benefits to the community and the Colorado Snowmobile program, and other funding leverage. The subcommittee conducts a fair and comprehensive review of all grant applications submitted before making recommendations to the State Trails Committee.
The ranked applications are passed to the State Trails Committee which evaluates the applications in ranked order and recommends funding strategies to the Commission.
The Commission gives final approval of the projects recommended for funding. Public input is solicited as part of the grant review process. Public comment is accepted by e-mail, letter, and during public meetings.

Snowmobile Grant Review and Ranking Subcommittee

The Snowmobile Grant Review and Ranking Subcommittee is comprised of fourteen (14) scoring members including the subcommittee Chairperson who is a member of the State Trails Committee chosen by the Commission to represent snowmobile interests, and nine (9) snowmobile district representatives, one from each of the state’s 9 designated snowmobile areas, who are appointed by the Chairperson; and four (4) Colorado Parks and Wildlife Regional Trail Coordinators.

Grant Timeline

Key Topic	Date	Location
Applications Open	Wednesday, July 10, 2025
Applications Due	Monday, August 4, 2025
CSA quarterly meeting; subcommittee makes recommendation for 2025-2026 grooming season allocation	Saturday, August 9, 2025
Grooming allocation recommendation information presented to State Trails Committee	September 19, 2025
Request funding from Federal Highways Administration	September 2025
RTP spending authority is granted and coding set up	September – October 2025
Purchase orders for grooming are issued	November 2025
2025-2026 grooming season begins	November 15, 2025