Climate Smart Market Expansion Project is sponsored by Colorado Department of Agriculture. This project accepts proposals for pilot projects that increase demand and create premiums for agricultural products grown using climate-smart practices. It supports initiatives that increase demand for climate-smart crops and establish market premiums for Colorado producers at all stages of the supply chain.

The Climate Smart Markets Program drives market development and increases sales for agricultural products. These products are grown using practices that directly address Colorado's climatic challenges. Through competitive awards, the program incentivizes innovation and creates new climate-smart market opportunities by removing the financial risk associated with entry and start-up.

The _Climate Smart Market Expansion Project_ is a competitive opportunity that supports pilot projects to facilitate expanding the marketplace for climate-smart commodities and products. **The Opportunity:**These awards support initiatives that increase demand for climate smart crops and establish market premiums for Colorado producers at all stages of the supply chain.

**Who Should Submit a Proposal**: Businesses that source Colorado’s climate smart commodities and products are strongly encouraged to submit a proposal. This includes, but is not limited to, food, beverage, clothing, and other manufacturers, as well as processors, commodity handlers, farm product dealers, buyers, and distributors. _**The 2025 funding cycle is now over.

Please check this page for updates on future funding rounds. **_ ### What is "Climate Smart"? For purposes of this Program, please refer to the following definitions: * **Climate Smart Commodities:**means raw materials produced using any practice that increases soil health, optimizes water usage, or enhances more diverse and beneficial ecosystems, and/or reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

* **Climate Smart Agricultural Products:** means processed or semi-processed agricultural goods grown, raised, or made using climate-smart practices. Additionally, proposals that also identify climate-smart practices within the supply chain will be considered as secondary criteria.

* **Climate Smart Supply Chain Practices:** means practices adopted in one or more areas of the supply chain: purchasing, processing, distribution, manufacturing, packaging, and/or waste management. ### Eligibility and Compliance Requirements **Who can submit a proposal? ** Eligible businesses or organizations must be based in Colorado or have demonstrated clear relationships with Colorado-based suppliers.

Entities awarded by CDA must be compliant with local, state, and federal rules and regulations. ### Colorado's Climate-Smart Future: Insights from the First-Round Innovators Get the scoop on new and innovative pilot projects helping to expand the marketplace for climate smart agricultural commodities and products!

You’ll hear from lead partners on the projects sponsored by the first round of the Colorado Department of Agriculture’s Climate Smart Market Expansion (CSME) Project.

Panelists include: * Todd Olander, farmer and founder, Root Shoot Malting * Luke Richards, head of product and business development, Downforce Technologies * Jake Gefell, co-founder, Tumbleweed Bread and Tomorrow’s Bread * Sarah Jones, co-owner, Jones Farms Organics * Amanda Laban, Markets Division Director, Colorado Department of Agriculture ### From Grain to Glass, A Round 1 Success Story What happens when farmers, maltsters, brewers, and innovators join forces?

A beer that’s as good for the planet as it is in your glass. In this climate-smart brewing case study, New Belgium Brewing collaborated with Olander Farms, Root Shoot Malting, and Downforce Technologies to demonstrate that sustainable beer is not only possible but also scalable.

By combining regenerative farming, premium malt, and verifiable carbon data, they created a supply chain that delivers healthier soils, lower emissions, and the same award-winning taste. The result? A model for brewing that’s good for business, good for the planet, and even better for beer lovers.

### Newtopia Now Showcase In August 2025, CDA sponsored six amazing local food and beverage brands, one dynamic grower-buyer coalition, and a few remarkable Colorado farmers at the Colorado Climate Smart Showcase at Newtopia Now(opens in new window), a major natural products trade show that took place in Denver.

These award-winning companies source ingredients grown using climate-smart practices in Colorado: Roaring Fork Mill(opens in new window), Dry Storage(opens in new window), Dry Land Distillers(opens in new window), Pastificio Boulder(opens in new window), Haxtun Heritage Mills(opens in new window), Spark + Honey(opens in new window), and the Rye Resurgence Project(opens in new window), a grassroots coalition working to save water and build sustainable markets for San Luis Valley growers, also joined our climate-smart exhibitors.

Newtopia Now is designed to foster meaningful connections among brands, buyers, and industry leaders, creating a more responsible and regenerative marketplace. CDA’s Colorado Climate Smart Showcase debuted at the inaugural Newtopia Now in 2024, garnering significant business growth for the exhibitors, including new contracts with major national retailers and increases in both production and revenue. Climate Smart Markets Program