Grants to Colorado local governments, state agencies, land conservation organizations, and special districts for land conservation projects

Grants to Colorado local governments, state agencies, land conservation organizations, and special districts for land conservation projects is sponsored by State of Colorado. Provides funding for land conservation projects within Colorado.

This is a list of current Colorado Drinking and Waste Water grants and loans for water projects. ## Drinking Water Revolving Fund (DWRF) **Application:** Water treatment, storage and distribution projects emphasizing health hazards and compliance standards * Interest on leveraged loans at 70-80% of market rate * Direct loans interest rate currently 3% for 20 year & 3. 25% for 30 year loan terms.

$3 million limit for direct loans * No limit for leveraged loans (subject to availability of funds) Disadvantaged Community Program: Reduced rates available depending on severity of Disadvantaged status (currently 1%-2. 25%). Planning, Design & Engineering Grants and principal forgiveness may be available.

* Planning Grant for up to $10,000 with 20% local match * Design & Engineering Grant up to $300,000 Private non-profits are eligible for planning grants and for loans, but are not eligible for Design & Engineering grants or principal forgiveness. Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) Funding: * Special funding for drinking water projects with a special focus on lead service line replacement and emerging contaminants through 2026.

Eligible applicants may receive partial loan forgiveness. Funding is available to local government borrowers.

**Organization:** Colorado Department Of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) **Eligible Recipients:** Government and NonProfit **Type of funding:** Grant and Loan * Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority * DOLA Water and Wastewater Management ## Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund (WPCRF) **Application:** Wastewater treatment and collection, nonpoint source pollution, and storm water projects * Interest on leveraged loans at 80% of market * Direct loans interest rate currently 3% for 20 year & 3.

25% for 30 year loan terms. $3 million limit for direct loans * No limit for leveraged loans (subject to availability of funds) Green Project Reserve Program: Reduced rates available for eligible green costs greater than 15% of total project cost, (reduced interest rate for the first $3 million only). Disadvantaged Community Program: Reduced rates available depending on severity of Disadvantaged status (currently 1%-2.

25%). Planning and Design & Engineering Grants may be available. * Planning Grant for up to $10,000 with 20% local match * Design & Engineering Grant up to $300,000 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Funding: * Special funding for wastewater projects with a special focus on emerging contaminants through 2026.

Eligible applicants may receive partial loan forgiveness.

**Organization:** Colorado Department Of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) **Eligible Recipients:** Government **Type of funding:** Grant and Loan * Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority * DOLA Water and Wastewater Management **Organization:** Colorado Department Of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) **Eligible Recipients:** Government and NonProfit **Type of funding:** Grant **Website resources:**CDPHE PFAS Projects ## Small Communities Grant **Application:** Water and wastewater projects This grant is for eligible projects that are for the planning, design and construction of public water systems or domestic wastewater treatment works that serve a population of not more than 5,000 people, and are necessary for the protection of public health and water quality.

**Organization:** Colorado Department Of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) **Eligible Recipients:** Government and NonProfit **Type of funding:** Grant **Website resources:**CDPHE Water Quality Grants and Loans **Application:** Storm water and wastewater projects The Water Quality Improvement Fund (WQIF) provides money for water quality improvement projects using civil penalties from water quality violations.

This includes storm water management training and best practices training to prevent or reduce the pollution of state waters. The grants are an important assistance tool for communities working to improve water quality in their area. Small and economically challenged communities are given priority for the funds.

Entities that pay a Colorado Water Quality Control Act civil penalty are prohibited from receiving a grant from the WQIF for a period of 5 years from the date of the payment of the penalty.

**Organization:** Colorado Department Of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) **Eligible Recipients:** Government and NonProfit **Type of funding:** Grant **Website resources:**CDPHE Water Quality Grants and Loans ## Water Project Loan Program **Application:** Water projects (untreated) * CWCB has $50 million available annually for raw water projects (dams, pipelines, ditches, wells, hydroelectric, new projects or rehabilitation).

* Loans are available for up to 100% of project costs. The repayment period is up to 30 years (40 years for reservoir projects). Click the link for the current low-interest loan rates.

* Loans typically range from $100,000 to $10 million. Loan applications under $10 million are approved every other month by the CWCB Board. Applicants should anticipate a minimum of 5 months from the time of application until funds are made available.

* Loans over $10 million must be approved annually by the state legislature, and applications must be received by August 1 for funding the following year.

**Organization:** Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) **Eligible Recipients:** Government and NonProfit **Type of funding:** Loan **Website resources:**CWCB Water Project Loan Program ## Water Plan Grant Program **Application:**Water projects Provides financial assistance for a range of multi-beneficial water supply projects.

Grant categories include water storage & supply projects, conservation & land use projects, engagement & innovation activities, agricultural projects, and watershed health & recreation projects. Preference is given to projects that have multiple benefits, multiple purposes, and involve multiple stakeholders. Application deadlines are July 1 and December 1.

**Organization:** Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) **Eligible Recipients:** Government and NonProfit **Type of funding:** Grant **Website resources:**CWCB Water Plan Grants ## Water Supply Reserve Account **Application:**Water projects Provides grants to assist Colorado water users in addressing their critical water supply issues and interests.

Requests for funds must first be approved by one of Colorado’s nine basin roundtables and are then forwarded onto the CWCB for final funding decisions. Contact local basin roundtable for application deadlines.

**Organization:** Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) **Eligible Recipients:** Government and NonProfit **Type of funding:** Grant **Website resources:**CWCB Water Supply Reserve Fund ## Federal Technical Assistance Grants for Colorado Water Projects **Application:**Water projects **Organization:** Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) **Eligible Recipients:** Government and NonProfit **Type of funding:** Grant **Website resources:**CWCB Federal Technical Assistance Grants for Colorado Water Projects **Application:**Water projects Formerly Non-Reimbersable Project Investments, funds water-related projects or studies of statewide impact or importance, and feasibility studies and projects designed to address statewide, region-wide or basin-wide water issues.

Funding varies annually. Application deadline is August 1 of each year. If approved by the CWCB Board, it is added to the Construction Fund Bill (i.e. “Projects Bill”) for approval by the legislature and signature by the Governor.

Funds are typically available after July 1 if an executed contract is in place.

**Organization:** Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) **Eligible Recipients:** Government and NonProfit **Type of funding:** Grant **Website resources:**CWCB Projects Bill Grants ## Water Revenue Bonds Program **Application:**Water and wastewater projects * Raw water storage and diversion projects need CWCB review * Market rates and up to 30-year loan terms.

$300,000 minimum and $100 million maximum loans **Organization:** Colorado Water Resources & Power Development Authority (CWRPDA) **Eligible Recipients:** Government **Type of funding:** Loan **Website resources:**CWCB Bond Program ## Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) **Application:**Water and wastewater projects * Eligible recipients are CDBG non-entitlement municipality or county; districts and private systems are eligible sub-recipients.

* Maximum grant is $600,000. Typically one grant cycle per year. Contact DOLA field staff to apply.

**Organization:** Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) **Eligible Recipients:** Government and NonProfit **Type of funding:** Loan **Website resources:**Community Development Block Grant and Regional Managers ## Energy & Mineral Impact Assistance Fund (EIAF) **Application:**Water and wastewater projects For communities impacted by the energy/mineral industry * Grants: Two or three cycles per year.

See website for program deadlines and current award maximums. Contact DOLA field staff to apply. Admin grant requests accepted year round.

* Tier I grants up to $200,000 * Tier II grants up to $750,000 * Admin grants up to $25,000 * Loans: Terms up to 20 years, and interest rates of at least 5%.

Loans up to $500,000 **Organization:** Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) **Eligible Recipients:** Government **Type of funding:** Grant and Loan **Website resources:**Energy/Mineral Impact Assistance Fund and Regional Managers ## Private Activity Bonds **Application:**Water, sewer, solid & hazardous waste projects Requires community support, repayment ability, and local economic benefit.

Interest rates are variable, depending upon bond market rates. Bond counsel determines eligible cost.

**Organization:** Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) **Eligible Recipients:** Government **Type of funding:** Loan **Website resources:**Private Activity Bonds ## Revolving Loan Program **Application:**Water and wastewater projects * Municipalities, counties, special districts, Native American Tribes and non-profit corporations, including cooperatives, with up to 10,000 population and rural areas with no population limits.

* Rates are set as the lower of poverty or market interest rate as published by RUS, with a minimum of 3% at closing. Maximum term is 10 years.

Maximum loan is $100,000 or 75% of the total project (whichever is less) **Organization:** National Rural Water Association (NRWA) **Eligible Recipients:** Government and NonProfit **Type of funding:** Loan **Website resources:**Water Loan Fund **Application:**Water and wastewater projects * Short term: Three years at 5. 75% interest * Intermediate term: Up to 20 years at 5. 00% interest * Long term: Set at closing.

Long-term loans require USDA RD loan guarantee **Organization:** Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC) **Eligible Recipients:** Government and NonProfit **Type of funding:** Loan **Website resources:**RCAC Loan Fund ## Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Programs **Application:**Water and wastewater projects * Must be in economically distressed areas & tied to permanent private sector jobs and investments.

* Applications accepted on rolling basis. **Organization:** U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) **Eligible Recipients:** Government and NonProfit **Type of funding:** Grant **Website resources:**Public Works Programs ## Water & Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program **Application:**Water, wastewater & storm water projects * Offers direct and guaranteed loans depending on the loan amount and community size.

* Loans and grants based upon income and health hazards * Three levels of interest rate available, depending upon need * Terms up to 40 years or project life * Community must be rural with population of 10,000 or less. * Guaranteed loan interest rates are negotiated and may be fixed or variable. Community must be rural with a population of 50,000 or less.

**Organization:** U.S.D. A. Rural Development **Eligible Recipients:** Government and NonProfit **Type of funding:** Grant and Loan **Website resources:**Water and Waste Disposal Loan & Grant Program ## Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants **Application:**Water projects This program helps eligible communities prepare, or recover from, an emergency that threatens the availability of safe, reliable drinking water.

Qualifying emergencies include drought, flood, earthquake, tornado or hurricane, disease outbreak, etc. Federal disaster declaration not required. * Community must have a population of 10,000 or less in a rural area. The area must also have a median household income less than the state’s median household income for non-metropolitan areas.

* Water transmission line grants up to $150,000 and water source grants up to $1 million **Organization:** U.S.D. A.

Rural Development **Eligible Recipients:** Government and NonProfit **Type of funding:** Grant **Website resources:**Emergency Community Water Assistance Grant ## Predevelopment Planning Grant **Application:**Water and wastewater projects This program assists low-income communities with initial planning and development of applications for USDA Rural Development Water and Waste Disposal direct loan/grant and loan guarantee programs.

* Community must be rural with a population of 10,000 or less, and have a median household income below the poverty line or less than 80% of the statewide non-metropolitan median household income. * Maximum is $30,000 or 75% of the predevelopment planning costs. **Organization:** U.S.D.

A.

Rural Development **Eligible Recipients:** Government and NonProfit **Type of funding:** Grant **Website resources:**Predevelopment Planning Grant ## Special Evaluation Assistance for Rural Communities and Households (SEARCH) Grant **Application:**Water and wastewater projects This program helps very small, financially distressed rural communities with predevelopment feasibility studies, design and technical assistance on proposed water and waste disposal projects.

Community must be rural with a population of 2,500 or less, and have a median household income below the poverty line or less than 80% of the statewide non-metropolitan median household income. **Organization:** U.S.D. A.

Rural Development **Eligible Recipients:** Government and NonProfit **Type of funding:** Grant **Website resources:**SEARCH Grant ## CoBank Water Project Loans **Application:**Water and wastewater * Offers loans and bridge/interim funding for USDA water/wastewater projects * Short term: up to 3 years, 5. 0% - 5. 50% (variable rate changes daily) * Long term: up to 20 years, varies based on system; 6% - 6.

5%, possibly lower for tax-exempt (rates change daily) **Eligible Recipients:** Government and NonProfit **Type of funding:** Loan **Website resources:**CoBank Loan Program ## Community Funding Partnership The Colorado River District’s Community Funding Partnership funds multi-purpose water projects on the Western Slope in five project categories: productive agriculture, infrastructure, healthy rivers, watershed health and water quality, and conservation and efficiency.

Eligible entities include stakeholders such as individuals, local governments, corporations, private entities such as mutual ditch companies, non-profit corporations, and partnerships. Only projects located within the District’s 15- county boundary are eligible to apply for funding.

**Organization:** Colorado River District **Eligible Recipients:** Government and NonProfit **Type of funding:** Grant **Website resources:**Partnership Project Funding Program ## Mobile Home Park Infrastructure Funding The Division of Housing offers grants and loan for construction costs for mobile home park water and wastewater infrastructure.

For-profit and non-profit mobile home parks are eligible, and non-profit applicants will generally be prioritized for more grant funding. * Interest rates are 0% - 3%. * Loan terms can be up to 30-years.

* Loans will usually require some sort of owner or local government, (county, municipality, or other local government), contribution and may require designating a certain number of units as affordable housing for a certain duration. * Maximum awards are generally calculated as a certain threshold per unit. * Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Contact regional DOLA Housing Development Specialist for more information or to apply. **Organization:** Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) - Division of Housing **Eligible Recipients:** Government and NonProfit **Type of funding:** Grant and Loan **Website resources:**Housing Development Specialists