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Colorado Water Conservation Board recommends roughly $25 million in Water Plan grants after record application cycle
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Summary
The Colorado Water Conservation Board heard staff summaries of a record 81 applications requesting about $39 million and approved staff recommendations to award 56 projects totaling roughly $25 million across categories including agriculture, conservation and storage. Board approved category packages after brief Q&A and grantee remarks.
The Colorado Water Conservation Board approved staff recommendations on the July 1 Water Plan grant cycle on a motion by board members, finalizing recommendations for 56 awards that staff said total about $25 million.
Janine Shaw, grant section chief for the Colorado Water Conservation Board, told the board the program saw "a record number of applications" this cycle: 81 applications requesting about $39,000,000 while the program has roughly $37,000,000 available for the year. Shaw said staff used statutory program categories and partner feedback from DOLA, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the Division of Water Resources, the Colorado Department of Agriculture and Great Outdoors Colorado to judge eligibility, multi‑benefit value, feasibility and readiness. "We are making recommendations for 56 awards totaling about $25,000,000," Shaw said.
Board members used the staff presentations to press on program mechanics. Director Phelps asked whether category allocations set earlier would skew demand in later cycles; Shaw replied the staff aimed to stay within the board’s target allocations and would move money between categories only if demand in one bucket was lower than expected. Several directors asked that staff document decisions and communications if they later shift funds between categories.
The grants package includes projects across multiple focus areas. Highlights presented to the board included:
- A Larimer County groundwater study (staff recommendation $300,000) that would map groundwater resources and overlay them with surface supply to inform water‑adequacy reviews and development decisions. Kevin Reedy (CWCB staff) said the study is intended to address "inconsistent water adequacy rules" and support development planning.
- An Orchard Mesa check piping and pedestrian path project in Mesa County (request $1,786,736) to replace an open check with a buried pipeline that staff said would improve hydraulic efficiency and allow installation of a pedestrian path along a popular agritourism corridor.
- A suite of agricultural and conservation pilots, including a proposal from American Rivers to study winter "sheet ice" recharge and a buy‑protect‑sell model proposed by Colorado West Land Trust to conserve farmland while keeping water rights tied to the land.
- A Colorado State University statewide soil‑moisture and data platform project (Quench) recommended for funding to expand monitoring and integrate soil moisture data from disparate networks into the U.S. Drought Monitor and other decision tools (staff request listed at $511,237).
- Growing Water Smart workshops and an impact evaluation proposed by the Sonoran Institute, intended to bring water planners, land‑use planners and elected officials together to create local water action plans; staff recommended funding for further workshops and an evaluation of prior program alumni.
- Storage and supply feasibility and design grants including a reduced‑scope partial funding recommendation for the Jergens Reservoir ancillary facility (Lower Latham Reservoir Co.), a Town of DeBeC secondary raw water well (estimated 100 acre‑feet new supply), and a South Metro Water Supply Authority aquifer storage and recovery (ASR) feasibility study ($640,000) to refine a regional groundwater model and assess legal and water‑quality constraints.
Presenters repeatedly stressed readiness and match requirements. Shaw and technical leads noted staff would not recommend projects they judged not ready; applicants are encouraged to reapply or work with staff on improvements. Directors asked staff to be explicit about partial funding decisions and any tasks that were pre‑completed (and so ineligible for reimbursement).
Several grantees addressed the board. Jeff Crane, speaking for the Farmers Ditch shareholders, thanked the board for support of locally driven projects. Heather Dutton of the San Luis Valley Water Conservancy District, co‑founder of the Rye Resurgence Project, emphasized market development work to give farmers outlets for low‑water crops. Mike Zellner of the Sonoran Institute thanked the board for continuing workshop support.
Board members approved category packages sequentially after staff presentation and brief discussion: agriculture; conservation and land use planning; engagement/innovation; storage and supply; and watershed health and recreation. Votes were taken by voice and chair announced motions passed for each category. Shaw closed by thanking technical leads and partner agencies for a substantial review effort.
The board did not adopt new policy language in the meeting; directors asked staff to follow up with written details on allocation adjustments and to provide clarifications on matching funds and readiness before contracting.
The board recessed at the end of the day and scheduled follow‑up logistics for the next meeting.
