Colorado IRA Urban & Community Forestry grants

Colorado IRA Urban & Community Forestry grants is sponsored by Colorado State Forest Service. These grants support actions to grow the tree canopy in disadvantaged areas of Colorado.

Colorado Urban & Community Forestry Grant Program | Colorado State Forest Service | Colorado State University Colorado Urban & Community Forestry Grant Program The 2026 application period for funds closes Sept. 21. The Colorado State Forest Service created the Colorado Urban and Community Forestry grant program in 2024 through funding from the USDA Forest Service.

This grant program supports efforts to remove dead and hazardous trees and plant, replace, prune and manage trees on public and private property. Grant-funded activities improve the health, resilience, safety and sustainability of Colorado’s urban and community forests. A total of $700,000 is available during the 2026 grant cycle.

The application process opened July 21, 2026, and closes Sept. 21, 2026. Projects must be completed by Dec.

31, 2028. 2026 Request for Applications Program Background and Goals The Colorado State Forest Service (CSFS) developed the Colorado Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) grant program in 2024 through funding from the USDA Forest Service.

The grant program aims to accomplish the following goals: Increase and diversify Colorado’s urban tree canopy Support community engagement and local capacity building Develop urban forest management plans and inventories Support urban wood utilization and green workforce development Improve long-term tree survival and sustainable management Reduce wildfire risk through strategic vegetation management Support tree removal where public safety is threatened Address emerald ash borer and mountain pine beetle impacts Promote strategic pruning and resilient tree planting Nonprofit organizations and local government entities including, but not limited to, municipalities, counties, cities, schools, and tribal agencies or programs are eligible to apply for Colorado UCF grant funding.

Priority consideration will be given to projects serving communities with less than 20% tree canopy cover, a criterion that includes most communities throughout Colorado. All applicants must be able to function as the fiscal agent or have a designated fiscal agent, and nonprofits must be registered and in good standing with the Secretary of State’s Office.

All applicants must maintain an active and current System for Award Management (SAM) registration (Unique Entity Identifier [UEI] and active SAM registration) throughout the application and grant period, if awarded.

Organizations that have previously received funding through this grant program are eligible to apply for additional funding, provided they have demonstrated the ability to successfully manage grant funds, complete projects on schedule, comply with reporting requirements and meet the objectives of prior grant agreements.

Qualifying projects must accomplish one or more of the following activities: Tree Planting – Planting trees to increase canopy cover, improve community resilience and provide long-term environmental, economic and social benefits Tree Removal – Removing trees that pose an unacceptable risk to public safety, infrastructure or property due to structural defects, decline or mortality Strategic Pruning – Pruning trees to improve structure, reduce risk, enhance tree health, increase clearance and support long-term management objectives Wildfire Mitigation – Reducing wildfire risk through vegetation management activities, such as thinning, pruning, hazardous tree removal or other fuels reduction, in urban and community settings of the wildland-urban interface Emerald Ash Borer Response – Managing the impacts of emerald ash borer through inventories, treatment (with CSFS approval), removal, replacement planting and community preparedness activities Mountain Pine Beetle Response – Addressing the impacts of mountain pine beetle through the removal of infested trees, hazard mitigation, reforestation and forest resilience in urban and community settings (no treatment with verbenone will be funded) Urban Forest Inventories – Collecting and managing tree data to support informed decision-making, risk management, maintenance planning and long-term urban forest stewardship Urban Forest Management Plans – Developing or updating comprehensive plans that establish goals, priorities and strategies for the sustainable management of community forests Urban Wood Utilization – Repurposing wood from removed trees into useful products that reduce waste, support local economies and maximize the value of urban forest resources Capacity Building – Expanding an organization’s ability to effectively plan, implement and sustain urban and community forestry programs through staffing, training, equipment and program development Community Outreach – Engaging residents, partners and stakeholders through education, communication and public participation to increase awareness and support for urban forestry initiatives Watering and Establishment Activities – Providing irrigation tied with planting activities, maintenance and early care necessary to promote healthy establishment, survival and long-term success of newly planted trees Tree giveaways are not eligible for this grant.

The Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST) requirements from the 2024 grant cycle do not apply to the 2026 cycle for Colorado UCF grant funding. Projects located within the cities of Denver are limited to activities on private property only due to current and ongoing projects on public land within these cities funded through prior cycles of this grant program.

Projects elsewhere in Colorado may occur on public or private property, provided all necessary permissions are obtained. Please see Supplemental Information for further requirements for projects involving private property, tree inventories, tree planting and contractor qualifications. $700,000 is available for the 2026 grant cycle.

Grant awards will be made in two tiers: $50,000 to $100,000 and $100,001 to $200,000. Upon recommendation of the evaluation committee, there is potential for partial funding of projects as needed after consultation with the grantee. No matching funds are required for this grant program.

Applicants are encouraged to leverage additional financial or in-kind resources whenever possible to expand project outcomes; however, the availability of matching funds is not a requirement and will not be used as a factor in determining project eligibility. Grant recipients may allocate up to 10% of the total grant award toward administrative expenses necessary for the successful management of the project.

Administrative costs may include grant administration, financial management, reimbursement requests, reporting, project coordination, recordkeeping and other activities directly related to implementing and managing the awarded project. Administrative costs must be reasonable, adequately documented and directly attributable to the grant-funded project.

Up to $5,000 of a grant award can be spent on purchases of implements such as shovels, pole saws, augers, drill bits, irrigation supplies, skid steer attachments, water tanks, etc. Proposal Evaluation and Scoring An evaluation committee will review applications using published criteria listed on the application.

Emphasis will be placed on project readiness, technical merit, measurable outcomes, partnerships, budget reasonableness and long-term sustainability.

Priority will be given to projects that accomplish the following: Serve communities/areas with less than 20% canopy cover* Demonstrate substantial completion potential within 18 months Address needs that would not otherwise occur without grant funding Integrate inventories and management planning with implementation Support wildfire mitigation, tree removal or other safety measures Integrate wood utilization and green job training or creation Address emerald ash borer or mountain pine beetle impacts * Applicants who are unsure whether a proposed project area has less than 20% canopy cover are encouraged to contact the CSFS at [email protected] .

Reimbursements and Reporting Successful applicants will work with the CSFS to finalize approved project activities prior to beginning work on their projects. Only after a project agreement is issued by the CSFS may a successful applicant begin their project. The CSFS will review the project’s budget and all proposed activities prior to issuance of a project agreement.

If any activities are considered unachievable, they may be modified or removed from the final award. Successful applicants will be reimbursed for actual (cash) costs incurred in implementing the project after meeting the following requirements: 1) completion of project activities outlined in approved award packet and 2) submittal of reports and reimbursement paperwork.

For tree plantings, there is a targeted 90% survival rate and mandatory inventory of newly planted trees before final reimbursement, as described in the Tree Survival and Maintenance section under Supplemental Information. Grantees with projects involving tree planting must document locations and survival of installed trees and comply with CSFS reporting requirements.

At the completion of the project, awardees must share their project with the CSFS to ensure the final product meets the standards outlined in the approved Scope of Work in the award packet. Yearly reporting along with a final report will be required. Details for reporting requirements will be provided to successful applicants.

The application opened July 21, 2026, and closes Sept. 21, 2026. Applicants must submit the application package and budget form by the published deadline.

The Colorado UCF grant program application is available as a PDF and Jot Form. They are the same application. Submit either the PDF or the Jot Form.

Follow these steps to apply for a Colorado UCF grant using the PDF application: Follow the link to the PDF application on the Colorado UCF grant program webpage and download it. Fill out the grant application thoroughly and accurately. Follow the link to the 2026 Detailed Budget Form on the Colorado UCF grant program page.

Download and complete the form for your project’s budget. Review all information to ensure it is complete and correct before submitting the application. Submit the application with the Detailed Budget Form to [email protected] before the deadline of Sept.

21, 2026. Jot Form Application – Online application Follow these steps to apply for a Colorado UCF grant using the Jot Form application: Follow the link to the Jot Form application on the Colorado UCF grant program webpage. Fill out the grant application thoroughly and accurately.

Use the save button on the Jot Form if you need to save your application and complete it later. Follow the link to the 2026 Detailed Budget Form within the Jot Form. Download and complete the form for your project’s budget.

Upload your completed budget form to Jot Form. Review all information to ensure it is complete and correct before submitting the application. Submit the application and budget via Jot Form before the deadline of Sept.

21, 2026. 2026 Grant Cycle Timeline Application open – July 21, 2026 Application deadline – Sept. 21, 2026 Award announcement – Oct.

30, 2026 Project completion deadline – Dec.

31, 2028 Questions and Application Assistance Applicants may contact the following Colorado State Forest Service staff if they have questions or need assistance with their grant application: Urban & Community Forestry Program Manager Colorado State Forest Service Urban & Community Forestry Program Specialist – Western Colorado Colorado State Forest Service The Colorado UCF grant program application is available as a Jot Form and PDF.

They are the same application. Submit either the Jot Form or the PDF. PDF Application (160 KB PDF) 2026 Detailed Budget Form (117 KB Excel) Private Property Authorization Projects funded through this program may include eligible urban and community forestry activities on private property.

Prior to conducting any work on private property, grantees must obtain written permission from the property owner and maintain documentation authorizing access to the property for the duration of the project. Grantees are also responsible for securing appropriate liability waivers or access agreements, as required by their organization and applicable laws.

These documents do not need to be submitted with the grant application, but grantees must obtain these documents before project work begins and make them available to the CSFS upon request. Applicants proposing work on private property should describe in their application how property owner permissions will be obtained and documented as part of project implementation.

Selection of Private Property Projects For projects conducted on private property, grantees are responsible for establishing a fair, transparent and documented process for selecting participating properties. Project selection criteria should be based on the community’s identified needs, local priorities and overall project objectives.

Communities may consider factors such as tree risk assessments performed by a qualified arborist (including assessments using the ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualification [TRAQ] methodology), public safety concerns, wildfire mitigation priorities, emerald ash borer or mountain pine beetle impacts, existing tree canopy, neighborhood revitalization efforts or other locally identified urban and community forestry priorities.

The CSFS recognizes that local organizations are best positioned to identify and prioritize project locations that provide the greatest public benefit. Applicants should clearly describe their proposed selection methodology within the project narrative and maintain documentation supporting project selection decisions throughout the grant period.

Contractor Qualifications Applicants are required to utilize qualified forestry professionals, certified arborists, licensed contractors or other experienced personnel appropriate for the proposed work. Projects involving hazardous tree removals, wildfire mitigation or specialized forestry activities should be performed under the supervision of individuals with appropriate training, certifications and experience.

All liability and workers compensation coverage will be verified by the CSFS prior to any work starting. Tree Inventory Requirements The CSFS will require the submission of inventory data, GIS information or other documentation necessary to verify project completion and evaluate program outcomes. Use of the free, online Colorado Tree View tool ( www.

cotreeview. com ) to capture this information is also encouraged. Applicants should describe how project data will be collected and maintained throughout the grant period.

Tree Survival and Maintenance At the final inspection, at least 90% of all trees planted must be alive and healthy. The CSFS strongly encourages applicants to develop realistic maintenance plans that maximize the long-term benefits of grant-funded tree plantings. To meet the targeted 90% survival rate for all newly planted trees, the following project factors must be followed: Tree giveaways are not allowed.

Grantees must track the location and condition of all newly planted trees and ensure that if any die or are damaged, they are replaced within the next planting season. If a tree dies, then it must be replanted. Grantees are highly encouraged to perform winter watering and plan for this as part of the project management.

Grantees are highly encouraged to budget for a minimum of 25% of trees to be replaced within their grant budget due to extreme weather factors and stress on urban trees in Colorado. Planting Material Specifications Applicants should ensure that they specify plant materials that are suitable for their area by checking with CSFS staff in their region. For a listing of CSFS field offices across Colorado, please visit csfs.

colostate. edu/field-offices . Also, planting stock should be in containers between 3 and 10 gallons or between 1 to 3 inches in caliper.

Planting stock under or over this size will not be accepted for reimbursement. 2024 Colorado IRA UCF Funded Projects The Colorado State Forest Service awarded $1. 6 million for 11 projects in eight counties across Colorado during the 2024 grant cycle.

These projects include a variety of activities that will improve Colorado's urban forests, such as tree inventories, planting trees and removing hazard and storm-damaged trees.

Applicant Project Name County City of Alamosa South Alamosa Tree Equity Project Alamosa City of Brighton Brighton's Equitable Expansion of Tree Canopy (BEET) Adams City of Grand Junction Community Urban Canopy Enhancement Project Mesa City of Longmont Longmont Urban Forest Resiliency Boulder City of Salida Adopt a Tree Chaffee City of Thornton Riverwalk Tree Planting Adams City of Trinidad Trinidad Tree Project Las Animas City of Wray Wray Tree Revitalization Project Yuma City of Yuma Yuma Tree Recovery Project Yuma San Luis Valley Boys and Girls Club Landscaping and Forestry in the San Luis Valley Alamosa Sedgwick County NE Trees of the Plains Sedgwick Type your address or the city or town where you live into the search field on this map.

Map powered by the Colorado Forest Atlas from the Colorado State Forest Service