The Southwestern Water Conservation District periodically offers financial assistance in the form of grants to “qualified entities” that are carrying out the statutory purpose of the District to protect, conserve, use and develop the water resources of the San Juan and Dolores River basins, as well as to safeguard all waters to which the state of Colorado is equitably entitled. Applications for 2024 are now open, apply for funding today!
Projects We've Supported
Previously funded work has included ditch rehabilitation, water storage development and enhancement, water quality studies, collaborative water forums and workgroups, habitat restoration, and educational programs, to name a few. Below are a few examples of work supported by the SWCD grant program:
Forests to Faucets Teacher Training Program
Mountain Studies Institute, San Juan Mountain Association, WIP
Upper San Juan River Basin
Long Hollow Reservoir
La Plata Water Conservancy District
La Plata Basin
Headgate Rehab & Installation
Farmers Water Development Company
San Miguel Basin
Tamarisk Monitoring and Removal
Dolores River Restoration Partnership, Southwest Conservation Corps, RiversEdge West
Dolores Basin
How to Apply
Is your organization working on a water project or otherwise addressing a water need within SWCD’s boundaries? Is your organization a “qualified entity”? If so, SWCD’s grant program may be a good funding partner!
The SWCD board considers grants on an annual basis (once a year). Applications for 2024 funding are now being accepted. The board will review and consider all accepted applications at their January or April 2024 board meeting.
The SWCD board has not yet adopted its 2024 budget. Historically, the District has appropriated $250,000 in total grant funding per year: $125,000 for water supply projects, $50,000 for studies and processes, $10,000 for education, and $65,000 for emergencies.
Applicants are encouraged to submit applications starting on August 2024, but no later than November 17, 2024. for any funding requests to be disbursed during the 2024 calendar year. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered unless they are for an emergency request. Please see the guidelines for more details.
Questions? Contact Mo Rock, Programs Coordinator, morock@swwcd.org, 970-247-1302.
Key Application Documents
Please reference the following guidelines and application forms:
For Emergency Requests in 2023 for funding in 2023 please use the 2023 Application:
Disbursement and Final Reports
Below are links to other relevant documents, including sample final reports:
Grant Writing Support
For support with water conservation-related grant applications to the Colorado Water Conservation Board or SWCD, consider contacting Western Resources Advocates.
For assistance with ag or multi-purpose ag project grant applications, consider contacting Greg Peterson at Colorado Ag Water Alliance, (720) 244-4629, coagwater@gmail.com.
Water Funding Opportunity Navigator
Looking for other water project grants?
Federal and state funding opportunities are dispersed across many agencies and levels of government and can often be difficult to find and digest. The Colorado Department of Natural Resources developed the Water Funding Opportunity Navigator to serve as a tool for people and organizations across Colorado to navigate all available funding opportunities for water projects in a single place.
Click on the image to be redirected to the Navigator.
